Ryder Lake Updates | Conservancy Program | Fraser Valley Conservancy

Updates

This is the landing page for the Ryder Lake Western Toad migration! Once we have updates, they will be posted here!

The toads have began migrating! You can help their migration by taking the voluntary detour.

How to use this page -> The top post is the most recent update, scroll down to see older posts.

If you live in Ryder Lake and have toad updates for our team, contact Jenn at Jenn@fraservalleyconservancy.ca

Want to learn more about the FVC’s amphibian work in Ryder Lake? Click here to visit the Ryder Lake Amphibian Protection Page.

Check back soon!

July 20th, 2023

We have toadlets on the road again! This time we have toadlets moving on Huston Road! This means we are changing the detour signage to reflect this new path. Elk View Road has very little toadlets on it and is clear for travel. Huston Road between Ryder Lake Road and Elk View Road is now the main area with toadlets on the road. Please avoid this area!!

July 17th, 2023

It has been a slow toad year for our team! Luckily, a slow year means that most toadlets are making it to the toad tunnel and other road culverts and crossing the road without getting hit. We are leaving the detour signage up for now, so continue to follow the detour.

July 11th, 2023

There are toadlets on the road! We have set up the voluntary detour and encourage people living and travelling in Ryder Lake to follow this detour when possible. Click here to learn more and to view a detour map. If you want a paper copy of the map, we also have an info sign with brochures by the Ryder Lake Community Board on Elk View.

So far, we have only seen a few hundred toadlets on Elk View Rd by the Toad Tunnel and on Ryder Lake Rd between Huston Rd and Elk View Rd.

If you want to view the toadlet migration, please park at the designated parking area (there is a sign north of the Toad Tunnel on Elk View) or further away.

We also do surveys of the toadlets, so keep an eye out for people working on the roads!

July 5th, 2023

Any day now!

The toads in Ryder Lake are getting ready to move! It still looks like they will cross Ryder Lake Rd. rather than Elk View Rd! Keep an eye out and avoid driving on Ryder Lake Rd. between Huston Rd. and Elk View Rd.

The detour signs will probably be unveiled over the weekend, so look out for that as well. These signs are currently covered in garbage bags and will only be uncovered when we have confirmed toadlets on the road.

June 29th, 2023

The toads in Ryder Lake are getting ready to move! Some are still tadpoles, but others are starting to look very toad-like. Right now, it looks like they will cross Ryder Lake Rd. rather than Elk View Rd! Keep an eye out and avoid driving on Ryder Lake Rd. between Huston Rd. and Elk View Rd. this long weekend!

Our fencing event will still be happening as planned on Monday, July 3rd.

And look out for the unveiling of the detour signs within the next few days! These signs are currently covered in garbage bags and will only be uncovered when we have confirmed toadlets on the road.

June 27th, 2023

Fencing Install Event July 3rd, 2023!

If you are interested in the toads and want to help, we have an event coming up that might interest you! We will install temporary fencing on Elk View Road on Monday, July 3rd! Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

June 22th, 2023

The toad tadpoles in the Ryder Lake neighbourhood are starting to develop back legs! Jenn had the chance to check on them and snap some photos! This little one has tiny back legs visible and is sitting out in the sun.

We expect things to progress quickly with the hot weather predicted next week.

Check back for more updates soon!

June 19th, 2023

The toad tadpoles have been hard to spot in the wetland so we don’t have any toad photos to share yet.

This is a little Pacific Treefrog tadpole found in the Ryder Lake neighbourhood over the weekend. We can see the little back legs starting to come in! Checking all tadpole development can help us get a sense of when the Western Toad tadpoles will start to move.

NOTE: This tadpole was captured by hand by a professional with clean hands and was handled for a very small amount of time! In general, we recommend catching tadpoles with a net and taking photos in a bucket or smaller container if they are being captured at all.