New bridge in Prince George park protects tiny amphibians from trampling

PRINCE GEORGE · A new bridge in a Prince George park will help protect thousands of migrating amphibians from being stepped on by people. The eight-metre structure was completed on Nov. 12 over a trail on the northwest shore of Shane Lake in the Forests for the World nature park. It allows park users to walk above a path used each July and August by long-toed salamanders, western toads, wood frogs and Columbia spotted frogs moving from the lake to the forest. The project was a collaboration between the City of Prince George, Nahanni Construction and local residents.

The effort began after forester Ashley Sutherland saw the problem during a walk in August 2022. "I observed it for myself and, honestly, it made me angry," Sutherland said. She contacted the city and later helped install signs in the park to raise awareness. Sutherland said the bridge represents a successful community partnership. "[The bridge] means real partnership with the City of P.G., and it means doing the right thing," she said.

During the summer migration, the amphibians move in the thousands and their small size makes them hard to see. Data from 2025 indicated mortality on the main trail could be as high as 12.8 percent, though not all deaths were from trampling. Sutherland explained that amphibian survival rates are low, with only about one in 100 reaching maturity. Seeing large numbers on the trail does not necessarily mean populations are healthy, she said. The city covered approximately 30 percent of the bridge's cost, with the remainder funded by donations, according to Nahanni Construction's Dean Price. Michael Le Morvan of the city's parks department called the project wonderful. He said planning is already underway for a second bridge about 100 metres from the first location to protect another amphibian crossing.

With files from CBC News