Conservation
Current Projects
It is difficult to properly manage natural areas in ways that protect amphibians, if you don't first know where the amphibians are and what habitats they are using. I have partnered with Creek 53 in Hudson and Mont Royal in Montreal to survey their wetlands and determine which, if any, amphibians are using different areas.
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I will also determine which wetlands are most suitable for amphibians, looking into water quality, light pollution, and the presence of salt and heavy metals.
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If wetlands are suitable for amphibians, but they aren't there, then there is some kind of barrier, and I'll look to determine what that could be (predators, construction, vibrations, etc.)
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I'm working with the land managers to ensure amphibians have the best shot in the wetlands that remain in and around Montreal!
Past Projects
The Fowler's toad is listed as endangered in Canada. As part of my PhD research, I raised and released these toads back into their environment.
Using methods I developed that replicate the natural environment of toad tadpoles in mesocosms, I can raise toad tadpoles with 90% survivorship. This is much more than would survive in the wild! The eggs I use are rescued from areas where they would have never survived, like puddles in parking lots!
I released head started tadpoles and fully developed toadlets of American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) and Fowler's toads (Anaxyrus fowleri). Hopefully, these little toadlets will grow into adults and breed, boosting local populations.
