VOLUNTEERS ARE KEY TO AMPHIBIAN CONSERVATION

The safety of amphibians during the breeding season in many areas depends heavily on the work of volunteers to ensure their safe passage across problematic stretches of road where underpasses and permanent fencing have not been installed. In some places, volunteers have already begun to carry amphibians across roads and, where possible, to erect temporary fences. These fences prevent amphibians from reaching the road, significantly reducing road mortality.

Participants in Toad Patrols make an important contribution to the conservation of local amphibian populations by dedicating much of their time and effort each spring, regardless of weather conditions. In recent years, several hundred volunteers have worked at nearly 30 sites in Slovenia to ensure a safe migration route for amphibians.

At the Coordination Centre for Amphibians (CCA) in Slovenia, which operates within the LIFE AMPHICON project, we strive for strong cooperation and networking by providing support through advice, information and sharing updates and results of these actions in coordination with local organisers. These updates are available on our website and in our newsletter Regljač.

We are looking forward to another season of meetings and visits to these actions across Slovenia, presenting and promoting their activities and making new connections.

For those who are organising a Toad Patrol for the first time, we have prepared recommendations that can be found in issue 2 of the Regljač newsletter.

Photo: T. Smolej