As the saying goes, being green is not an easy task.
However, a newly constructed bridge over an amphibian migration route in a city park in Prince George aims to enhance the survival odds for small salamanders, toads, and frogs each summer.
Now, individuals wearing heavy footwear can utilize the bridge to traverse above the trail, thereby preventing the accidental crushing of vulnerable young amphibians as they journey from the lake to the forest during July and August.
This eight-meter-long bridge is located on the northwest side of Shane Lake within Forests for the World, an expansive nature park that hosts black bears, moose, and deer, as well as smaller wildlife such as long-toed salamanders, western toads, wood frogs, and Columbia spotted frogs.
The bridge was completed on November 12 as part of a collaborative initiative between the City of Prince George, local firm Nahanni Construction, and other contributors.
Ashley Sutherland has installed signs at multiple spots in Forests for the World park in Prince George, B.C., to educate visitors about avoiding stepping on small frogs and other amphibians around Shane Lake. (Jason Peters/CBC)
One of the collaborators is Ashley Sutherland, a local forester who, despite not being an amphibian expert, was the first to highlight the issue of trampling deaths after a walk with her dogs near Shane Lake in August 2022.
“I witnessed it firsthand, and it genuinely frustrated me,” Sutherland recounted. “I returned to the parking lot, emailed the city, and that’s the reason behind this initiative. It angered me that no one was addressing the problem,” she explained.
Sutherland admitted she did not foresee herself becoming an advocate for this cause. However, with support from both local and provincial entities, she successfully arranged for signs to be placed in the park to raise awareness about the trampling dilemma.
Now, the bridge is operational and being utilized.
Sutherland views this as an illustration of what can be achieved when individuals or organizations collaborate to tackle an issue.
“[The bridge] signifies a genuine partnership with the City of P.G. and doing what is right,” she remarked.
“Thanks to this city collaboration, along with numerous organizations and individuals involved, it’s incredible to witness real change.”
Among the species that utilize the amphibian migration routes around Shane Lake in Forests for the World park in Prince George, B.C., are western toads, wood frogs, and Columbia spotted frogs. This image was captured near the lake’s edge. (Submitted by Ashley Sutherland)
Small size and green color pose risks
During their migration period in July and August, the salamanders, toads, and frogs of Shane Lake do not travel in small numbers.
Sutherland states that they migrate in the thousands, and their diminutive size and coloration can render them challenging to see, increasing the likelihood of being stepped on by people using the trail.
“Data collected in 2025 indicated that mortality rates on the main loop trail around the lake reached as high as 12.8 percent,” Sutherland noted, adding that not all of these fatalities were due to trampling.
From a broader ecological standpoint surrounding Shane Lake, Sutherland emphasizes the importance of aiding local amphibians in surviving their migration from the lake to the woods, particularly since only about one in every hundred reaches full maturity.
“Thus, while 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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The overall cost of the bridge has not been disclosed, but Dean Price from Nahanni Construction mentioned that the City of Prince George contributed roughly 30 percent of the total expenses, while the remainder was funded through donations.
Michael Le Morvan from the City of Prince George parks department describes the initiative as “wonderful,” and reveals plans for a second bridge at another amphibian crossing are already underway.
“We intend to build another one, likely around 100 meters from this location,” he stated.