Crowds flock to Toadfest at Summit Lake Provincial Park
By Lone Sheep Publishing
Highway 6 near Summit Lake outside Nakusp saw traffic on the road slowed last week as Toadfest 2022 returned to Summit Lake Provincial Park, near Nakusp.
Toadfest returned following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Toadfest happens each summer, when the toadlets emerge from Summit Lake and migrate to higher ground across Highway 6.
"While it looked like a healthy number of toadlets migrating out of Summit Lake, they choose not – for the most part – to come through Summit Lake Provincial Park," said a spokesperson for the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), one of the coordinators of the event.
"So it was more like “hunt for the toadlets” rather than mass toadlet collection at Toadfest."
Toadfest is a free, fun, family event, coordinated by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) with support from the Province of B.C. It’s about connecting with, and raising awareness about, local species including the western toad.
Toadfest is a great opportunity to learn about the toads’ natural history, life cycle and habitat needs and to get up close and personal with local amphibians, insects and reptiles.
The event featured lots of education and awareness and was very well received with lots of interesting displays.
Between 350-400 people enjoyed collecting various species (and eggs) and getting them identified – before putting them back of course.
Toadfest is coordinated by the FWCP with support from B.C. Parks, the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Okanagan Nation Alliance, and Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd.
The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and public stakeholders, to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.
Toady stopped to take photos with many of the children attending Toadfest.
Toadfest featured numerous displays for kids and parents to enjoy.
Of course, everyone came to see the toadlets.
