Toad Patrol Volunteers Needed

28 March 2012

Spring is in the air and it is the time of year when Historic Scotland Rangers are asking volunteers to leap into action and assist with the annual toad migration.

Early every morning Rangers carry out patrols to check the nooks, crannies and drains to ensure every toad gets to its destination safely.

The annual ‘Watch Out, Toads About’ event will be taking place on Sunday 1st, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April.

Volunteers who would like to assist the Rangers with the Toad Patrols should email hs.rangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk   or call 0131 652 8150 for further information.

Katy Firth, a Ranger with the Historic Scotland Ranger Service at Holyrood Park, said: “In winter the toads live around Arthur’s Seat and Dunsapie Loch. In order to get to where they spawn, they have to cross a public road with high kerbs. The problem is that when they are tired and hungry they can become disoriented and unable to make that last leap to safety.  

“We need volunteers to help these amazing creatures cross the road safely.”

To celebrate the annual toad crossing, there will also be an exhibition called ‘We Love Toads’  with prints and paintings by Emma Herman-Smith.

The exhibition is free and is being held in the Holyrood Park Information Centre on Horse Wynd from 25th March to 15th April, from 08.30 am to 5:15pm.

As part of this exhibition, for one weekend only on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April , there will also be repeated screenings of a short film about the early morning toad patrols.

For information:

Emma Herman-Smith’s website: www.emmaherman-smith.com   

Notes for editors:

• Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.

• Register for media release email alerts from www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news. If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email hs.website@scotland.gsi.gov.uk   

• The Year of Creative Scotland begins on January 1, 2012 and will spotlight and celebrate Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL.

• More information and resources to help businesses engage with Year of Creative Scotland are available at  www.visitscotland.org/yearofcreativescotland-toolkit