As the lyrics suggest, being green is quite a challenge.
However, a newly constructed bridge crossing an amphibian migration route in a park in Prince George aims to enhance the survival odds for small salamanders, toads, and frogs during the summer months.
Now, pedestrians can utilize the bridge to traverse above the migration path, preventing accidental trampling of the vulnerable young creatures as they journey from the lake to the forest each July and August.
The bridge, measuring eight meters in length, is situated on the northwest side of Shane Lake within Forests for the World, a sprawling nature reserve that hosts black bears, moose, and deer, as well as smaller wildlife like long-toed salamanders, western toads, wood frogs, and Columbia spotted frogs.
The project, a collaboration between the City of Prince George, local firm Nahanni Construction, and various other contributors, was completed on November 12.
Ashley Sutherland had signs installed at various locations in Forests for the World park in Prince George, B.C., to raise awareness among park users about trying not to step on tiny frogs and other amphibians around Shane Lake. (Jason Peters/CBC)
Among the contributors is Ashley Sutherland, a Prince George local. Although she is a forester and not an amphibian expert, she was the first to highlight the issue of trampling fatalities following a walk with her dogs near Shane Lake in early August 2022.
“I witnessed it firsthand, and honestly, it infuriated me,” Sutherland remarked. “After returning to the parking lot, I contacted the city via email, which is essentially the reason behind this initiative. It upset me that no action was being taken,” she recalled.
Sutherland admitted she never anticipated taking on this cause. Yet, with backing from local and even provincial allies, she successfully had signs installed in the park to raise awareness about the trampling problem.
With the bridge now operational, it is serving its purpose.
From Sutherland’s viewpoint, this is a testament to what can be achieved when individuals or organizations unite to address a challenge.
“[The bridge] signifies a genuine collaboration with the City of P.G., and it embodies doing the right thing,” she stated.
“Thanks to this partnership with the city, along with the involvement of various organizations and individuals, it feels incredible to contribute to meaningful change.”
Western toads, wood frogs, and Columbia spotted frogs are among the creatures that use amphibian migration trails around Shane Lake in Forests for the World park in Prince George, B.C. This photo was taken near the edge of the lake. (Submitted by Ashley Sutherland)
Small size and green hue create hazards
During the migration period in July and August, the salamanders, toads, and frogs at Shane Lake don’t just appear in small numbers.
Sutherland notes they migrate in the thousands, and their diminutive size and coloration make them hard to spot, increasing the risk of being stepped on by hikers.
“Data from 2025 indicated that the main loop trail around the lake experienced mortality rates as high as 12.8 percent,” Sutherland mentioned, adding that not all fatalities could be attributed to trampling.
In the larger ecological context surrounding Shane Lake, Sutherland emphasizes that aiding local amphibians in their migration from the lake to the forest is crucial, as only about one in every 100 reaches full maturity.
“Thus, even though we observe thousands on the trail, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that amphibian populations are thriving in terms of reproduction,” she explained.
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While a specific cost estimate for the bridge has not been disclosed, Dean Price from Nahanni Construction indicated that the City of Prince George covered around 30 percent of the expenses, with the remainder sourced from donations.
Michael Le Morvan from the parks department of Prince George described the initiative as “wonderful” and mentioned that plans for a second bridge at another amphibian crossing are already underway.
“We are planning to construct another one, likely 100 meters from this location,” he confirmed.