Western Toad Sculpture
Western Toad Sculpture at Ferry Island Trail Network
Commissioned by the Terrace Community Forest, Great Bear Ironworks created a 4-foot-high Western Toad sculpture, positioned adjacent to the pond at the lower end of the Ferry Island trail network. The sculpture pays homage to the Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas), a species native to western North America that is integral to the region's ecosystem.
Known for their distinctive warty appearance and large size, Western Toads are vital ecological players, controlling insect populations and serving as prey for numerous predators. However, they face significant threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and diseases such as chytridiomycosis, which have caused dramatic population declines. The sculpture highlights these conservation challenges, raising awareness of the importance of protecting this sensitive species.
This artwork serves as a focal point in an area frequented by the Skeena Wild Conservation Trust, which hosts educational camps for children focusing on local wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. By placing the sculpture near the pond—an environment essential to the toad’s life cycle—it becomes an integral part of the trail’s educational landscape.
The Western Toad sculpture invites visitors, especially young nature enthusiasts, to engage with the environment in a hands-on and meaningful way. Its design emphasizes the rich biodiversity of the region while sparking curiosity and fostering a connection to the natural world. It serves not only as a work of art but as a catalyst for conversation about conservation and our shared responsibility to protect local species.