Researchers believe loss of habitat and climate change have contributed to the population decline.ĭuring spring, the adult toads migrate from terrestrial areas to communal breeding sites in wetlands, ponds and lakes. The toad is now designated a federal species of special concern. The western toad is found throughout B.C., western Alberta, parts of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, but their numbers appear to be declining along B.C.’s south coast and Vancouver Island. The goal is to gather data throughout the toad’s breeding cycle and pinpoint when they are close to migration, so BC Parks can mitigate potential impacts by notifying the public about toadlet routes and close portions of trails if necessary.
To learn more about the western toad populations that breed in Fawn and Edith Lakes at Alice Lake Provincial Park, Shephard and a team of 15 volunteer citizen scientists have been conducting surveys once or twice a week since breeding season began in early April. “It’s really rewarding to be out in the field observing the toads, learning about toad ecology and contributing positively to their conservation.”
“We’ve been looking to see where they are in the lake, doing rough counts and monitoring their development,” said Shephard, project coordinator for the Squamish Environment Society’s Western Toad Monitoring Project – a collaboration with BC Parks.
Keeping a camera and notebook within reach, Shepard’s eyes are glued to the water, searching for any signs of western toad tadpoles. On a calm morning in mid July, Rachel Shephard slides into a kayak and slowly starts paddling around the perimeter of Fawn Lake.
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