Boreal Toad Community Science Project- EDIA Opportunity

• EIDA = Equity Inclusion Diversity Accesability
• Join Denver Zoo and Denver Audubon on a Boreal Toad Community Science project to inspire, connect, and engage minority communities in the outdoors. People of color are encouraged to come and participate in surveying the endangered Boreal Toad population of Colorado at Hassell Lake. Denver Zoo will provide training and transportation on site. Details and additional information on Boreal Toads are provided below. We can't wait to see you there!

• Hassell Lake – Sunday August 14th

• Estimated Total Hiking Distance – 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain – 750 ft 
• Maximum Elevation – 11,400 ft
• Difficulty – Easy-Moderate
• Off-Trail Hiking – Fairly open, not much bushwhacking
• Nearest Town – Idaho Springs
• Driving Time from Golden – 1 hour 

• With just over 3 miles of hiking this will be a fun day at a wetland right outside of Denver. After about 1.5 miles of hiking we'll reach our target wetland. We'll survey the ponds and slow streams along the edges of Hassell Lake. Here you'll learn our data collection protocols and how to look for boreal toads. After spending several hours at the wetland (surveying and enjoying lunch), we'll hike back to the trailhead to wrap up the day. 

  For more information about this site and others, check out the Target Wetland Factsheet. 

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  Meeting Time / Locations

  Denver Zoo, Parking Garage Level 3 – 6:30 AM

  T-Rex Lot in Golden – 7:00 AM

  Gate by Upper Urad Reservoir – 8:00 AM 

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  Itinerary

  6:30 to 8:00 – Drive from Denver Zoo to Upper Urad Reservoir

  8:00 to 8:30 – Overview of the day & equipment disinfection

  8:30 to 10:00 – Hike to target wetland from Summit Lake

  10:10 to 1:00 – Training over lunch + wetland survey

  1:00 to 2:00 – Hike back to vehicles

  2:00 to 2:15 – De-brief the day

  2:15 to 3:45 – Drive back to Denver Zoo

   

  Packing List

  We'll be providing muck boots, but please bring the following: 

• Enough water and food for a long day outside (including lunch!) 
• Sunscreen 
• Bugspray 
• Walking stick (optional, but helpful) 
• A backpack you're comfortable walking for miles with 
• Rain jacket 
• Warm layers in case of cooler temperatures 
• Good hiking / walking shoes Any medications you could need (e.g. an epipen) 
• Polarized sunglasses (eye protection + helpful for looking for amphibians in the water) 
• Whatever else you need to be comfortable for a long day outside

Please keep in mind that this will involve a long day hiking at high elevation and bushwhacking through thick vegetation.  

Before signing up for this field day, please use the resources that we provide and do your own research to consider if this training is a good fit for you. We don't say this to scare you off, but rather to set you up for a successful and enjoyable experience on Team Toad! 

For more information about this site and others, check out the Target Wetland Factsheet. 

To look at the route to this site (and others) check out the resources on Gaia GPS. 

All volunteer resources can be found here in the Resources Directory.

While you are welcome to meet us at the gate by Upper Urad Reservoir, we also encourage you to carpool with us from Denver Zoo or the T-Rex Lot in Golden. 

We will reach out to ask you about carpooling after you've signed up for this training. See below for more information about all three of these meeting places:

• Denver Zoo, Parking Garage Level 3 – 6:30 AM  
  • 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205 
  • When you arrive at the zoo, enter the multi-level parking garage and go to Level 3.  
  • At the eastern end of Level 3 are several brightly colored vans, which is where we will meet you. 

• Park & Ride T-Rex Lot, Golden – 7:00 AM 

  • Take Exit 259 to Morrison, turn north onto US-40, and then quickly take another right into the Park & Ride. 

• Upper Urad Reservoir – 8:00 AM 

  • Driving on I-70, take Exit 232 toward US 40 E / Empire / Granby.
  • After about 31 mi, turn left onto Henderson Mine Rd / Jones Pass Rd
  • Turn left onto Woods Creek Rd
  • After 3.1 mi the destination will be on the righ
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  • PLEASE NOTE: You must register for this field trip (limit: 10 people) and complete the liability form when you register. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed. Other requirements are described below.
• • By registering for and attending this field trip, you agree to the following:
    -Please self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are vaccinated, and use common sense. DO NOT attend if you if you had recent exposure to an individual with symptoms or confirmation of COVID-19. If you have any symptoms or even suspect you could have COVID-19 symptoms, do not sign up for this trip.
    -Masks Outdoors: Masks are not required outdoors. However, we encourage unvaccinated people to wear a mask when interacting with people outside their household when outdoors and maintain social distancing of 6 feet.
    -Masks Indoors: Fully vaccinated people can go without masks in public indoor spaces. Unvaccinated people are encouraged to continue wearing masks in all public indoor spaces.