Founded by Ashley Sutherland in 2025, the Shane Lake Amphibian Migration (SLAM) Project is working to reduce amphibian mortality along busy recreational trails at Forests for the World in Prince George, B.C. Through field surveys and citizen-science observations, the project is building a baseline understanding of where amphibian migration corridors intersect with heavily used trails, helping identify priority areas for protection.
The first season of monitoring identified several concentrated migration corridors, providing a starting point for targeted mitigation. Plans include installing small trail-bridging structures and safe passage corridors to help amphibians move through the area with less risk of being trampled. Signage installed in 2025 also helps raise public awareness of amphibians and their vulnerability in shared recreational spaces. In 2026, the project will hopefully expand its education efforts through a collaboration with the University of Northern British Columbia’s Active Minds youth summer camp.
By combining monitoring, practical mitigation, and public education, SLAM is building the knowledge and community awareness needed to reduce human impacts on amphibians. The project demonstrates how local data can help practitioners identify risks, guide conservation measures, and support better outcomes for wildlife in well-used natural areas.
SERNbc uses three general criteria to select specific ecosystems for restoration activities, which include:
Vulnerable, degraded and damaged ecosystems are a high priority for ER activities if they have high functional importance in terms of providing important ecological services. This functional importance or management priority increases when the ER needs of a subject ecosystem is not being addressed by existing programming.
Potential ER projects must align with SERNbc’s objectives as identified in our strategic plan. All ER projects undertaken by SERNbc need to be supported by data and analysis that describes their current state, desired future condition, management objectives, and treatment rationale.
