Conservation Challenge: Boreal Toad

Phase 1 - Start with “Why?”

Presentation of the Challenge

• Objective: Learners are introduced to the Denver Zoo Conservation Challenge.
• Estimated Time: 1 class period.

Phase 2 - Think it Through.

Assessment of Prior Knowledge

• Objective: Learners will reflect on their prior knowledge to identify what they “need to know” to solve the Denver Zoo Conservation Challenge.
• Estimated Time: 1 class period.

Phase 3 - Dig In!

Knowledge Building

• Objective: Learners complete research to collect information needed to solve the Denver Zoo Conservation Challenge.
• Estimated Time: 2-5 class periods including 45-minute Expert Panel.

Phase 4 - Work it Out!

Project Work

• Objective: Learners, using their prior and gained knowledge, participate in a collaborative project to solve the Denver Zoo Conservation Challenge.
• Estimated Time: 2-3 class periods.

Phase 5- Share your Awesome.

Project Presentations

• Objective: Learners share their projects and solutions to the Denver Zoo Challenge.
• Estimated Time: 1-2 class periods.

Denver Zoo Experts

 

Matt Herbert
Director of Conservation Education

As Director of Conservation Education, Matt works with multiple program directors to infuse community engagement into Denver Zoo’s field conservation work. He also oversees the Peru program, which is also amphibian-focused—and is involved in other initiatives involving diversity in conservation, combating wildlife trade and strategic planning. Matt takes great pride in seeing the collaboration between field conservationists, animal care providers, reproductive science specialists, veterinarians, educators and wildlife management officials. By working with internal and external partners, Denver Zoo has used our strengths to successfully breed these animals in captivity, release them into the wild in Utah and celebrate our successes. He says, “Seeing the result of my colleagues’ hard work was extremely rewarding. Also, I love seeing the interest in our work by students like you. The education program you are participating in is an important part of saving wildlife—thank you!”

Dr. Stefan Ekernas
Rocky Mountain/Great Plains Program Director, Field Conservation

As Program Director, Stefan runs Denver Zoo’s field conservation programs in Colorado and other parts of the Rocky Mountain West. Boreal toads are the only species in the Denver Zoo collection that we breed and release into the wild. The team successfully developed breeding protocols in 2019, and in 2020 the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources successfully adopted those protocols, and that is a potential game changer for the species. Being able to breed animals in captivity means that we now have an assurance population to supplement wild populations that are on the brink of disappearing.

Tom Weaver
Curator of Ectotherms

A 21-year veteran of Denver Zoo, Tom is currently a Curator over Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish; Program Manager over the Boreal Toad Project, Lake Titicaca and Lake Junin Peruvian Projects; a member of the Steering Committee and Treasurer for AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums); a member of the Taxon Advisory Committee; and a member of the Steering Committee and Treasurer for AZA Species Survival Plan Project Golden Frog. He is proud to have been instrumental in breeding a locality of this toad that has never been done before, and of showing the other stakeholder organizations that zoos are an important resource for conservation.

Derek Cossaboon
Tropical Discovery Zookeeper

Derek is primary keeper for the gecko section of Tropical Discovery, which contains most of the amphibians in Denver Zoo’s collection. He helped to initiate the Boreal Toad Project with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources back in 2009, and has been the primary caretaker of all Denver Zoo’s project boreal toads since 2010, when we accessioned our first toads. He oversees all day-to-day care, conditions them to hibernate and breed and assists in annual population surveys and habitat assessments/improvements. Although Derek enjoys many of his day-to-day responsibilities, fieldwork is what he enjoys the most. He loves collecting data on wild boreal toad populations and using the knowledge gained in the field to help him better manage our captive assurance population.

Troy Bumgardner
Tropical Discovery Zookeeper

Troy has worked with boreal toads since he started working at Denver Zoo in 2015. He loves amphibians in general and loves to be working with these amazing Colorado natives. Troy is proud to have been able to provide suitable water conditions for the boreal toad tadpoles—which involved carting nearly 100 gallons of water from Tropical Discovery to the bio-secure location on the other size of the Zoo—and is thrilled that we have been able to successfully breed and release thousands of toadlets into the wild.

Alex Wells
Citizen Science Project Specialist

Alex coordinates local citizen science projects, volunteer coordination and serves data technician. He spends the majority of his time on the Front Range Pika Project, but contributes to several projects within our Field Conservation Department, like boreal toads. Alex believes Denver Zoo can really make a difference in the fight for the Colorado populations of boreal toads. There are still plenty of unknowns and challenges—but success could be huge for the species.

Challenge Add-On Opportunities

 

Animal Meet & Greet: Wild Profiles —Live, Virtual Program

Zoo educators introduce your students to a real boreal toad!  Explore their unique characteristics and personalities through the lens of animal care.

Life Cycles—Live, Virtual Program

Explore the diverse life cycles of amphibians and how Denver Zoo provides animal care at every phase.

Feedback Session—Live, Virtual Program

Learners present their solutions to Zoo staff for review and feedback.  This session, facilitated on virtual platforms with breakout rooms, includes two content experts for 45 minutes.  Register for as many sessions as you need!

 

REGISTER FOR ADD-ONS