2026 Toad Trip Recap

Our first partnership with the USFS Aquatics Team is in the books!  We had 4 USFS Rangers and 9 ESWA volunteers in the Wilderness for 3-days, 2-nights to look for the Boreal Toad, Colorado’s only alpine toad!  The toads are considered a state threatened species, mainly due to habitat loss and the Chytrid fungus.  The goal of this trip was to survey the population, and test for the fungus.

More eyes are definitely better when looking for small jumping toads! We surveyed new areas, and areas where toads have previously been recorded.  With all our efforts, we were only able to identify 2 toads.  We were able to see the male’s nuptial pads, the female’s gravid abdomen, and the unique pattern that each has on their belly.  These community science endeavors with data collection are really important, and each of us now feel a special responsibility to educate the public about this special and endangered species. Special thanks to our USFS Aquatics team for allowing us to be a part of this!  See more pictures here. 

You can help the toads by taking maneuvers to decrease the spread of the fungus.   Here are some tips from the Wildlife Research Education Network:

• Decontaminate your shoes, waders, and equipment when moving from one wetland area to another.

• Avoid walking or driving vehicles through lakes, streams, ponds, and wet meadows. This decreases the threat of trampling and conserves their natural habitat.

• Set up your campsite at least 300 feet from any potential breeding habitat. These are usually ponds, lakes, and streams.

• Do not take these animals, adults or tadpoles, out of the wild to keep as pets.

• If you see a toad or tadpole do not touch it! Touching them could spread diseases or cause death.

• In order to reduce the spread of Chytrid fungus, decontaminate any equipment, clothes, or vehicles that have been in contact with water or soil in toad habitats. Use at least a 10% bleach solution and air dry.