The Toad Detour is, perhaps, a perfect storm of animal activism.
In Roxborough, a Philadelphia neighborhood, hundreds of toads migrate from nearby woods and gardens to the Roxborough Reservoir. Each year, more than a hundred toads are squished by cars on their way to the Reservoir. In Toad Detour, a community-wide project to save these toads’ lives, the first step was to make people aware of the problem.
Second, the caring people behind the Detour, along with a number of organizations — including the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and Mobilization For Animals — banded together, got the cooperation of local authorities, and came up with a workable solution. During the migration season, a cadre of volunteers went out on the roads to establish a temporary road detour. Not only did they man (person?) the barricades to avert traffic, they armed themselves with signs and brochures to educate the community about helping the toads migrate safely.
Toad Detour
Third, they didn’t keep it to themselves. They created a website and a facebook page to spread the word.
You might think that all that is enough, but these folks took it to the next level. The fourth step was that filmmaker Burgess Coffield decided to make a film of the project, which will enable so many more people to learn about it and be inspired to apply it in their own communities. If you’re anywhere near Philly, a screening of the film will take place tomorrow, Saturday, December 10.
I am sure you are wondering what could possibly be fifth. Well, there will be refreshments served at the screenings, and all of the food will be vegan. A gentle reminder to all who come to find out about the toads, that all the animals need our caring.
Perfect.