A story about hope
Toad People is an inspiring new documentary film project produced by the Wilderness Committee about people in communities across British Columbia who are taking action to save the wildlife in their backyards.
The 30- to 40-minute film tells the story of fingernail-sized juvenile western toads that migrate every year from the wetlands where they were born to the forest where they live, and the community members who have come together to help them make that journey safely. We call these wildlife defenders Toad People.
This film isn’t just about people standing up for toads. It is about people across the province who are stepping up to protect mountain caribou, badgers, songbirds and many other species at risk.
Their work is immense. Because despite having some of the most diverse wildlife in North America – including 1,900 species at risk – BC is one of only two provinces in Canada with no endangered species law.
Right now we are about 60% of the way towards completing our film. But like the western toads, we need YOUR help to reach our destination.
Our crowdfunding goal is to raise the $20,000 needed to finish the project and show the film in communities across BC. Will you help us make it happen?
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Steve Clegg and his daugher Arli care deeply about the western toads in their backyard.
What we need
A large portion of the shooting for the film is already done, and has been completed on a shoestring budget. Now, we need funds to wrap up the filming in communities throughout the province, and to complete the post-production elements.
That includes film editing, sound editing, colour correction and music composition for an original score that captures the spirit of this inspiring wildlife story. We will also be exploring options to promote the film to a wider audience by submitting it to film festivals, broadcasters and other platforms.
This film is about action. After the film is completed in the fall of 2016, we will be taking it on tour to educate people and mobilize them to help protect endangered species across British Columbia – which includes urging decision-makers to enact species at risk legislation in the province.
The community outreach phase will involve travelling to communities across BC, arranging screenings, booking venues, and connecting with other organizations and schools to raise public awareness and inspire others to fight for threatened species in their own backyards.
Here's a chart that explains how the funds will be allocated:
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Are you a Toad Person?
To make this project a success, we need help from people like you. People who value wilderness and wildlife, and who understand how lucky we are to live in a province – and a world – that is still home to grizzly bears, killer whales, spotted owls and countless other wildlife species.
Being a Toad Person has some great benefits. We have an amazing list of perks to offer in exchange for your support – whether you contribute $5 or $5,000.
Get a “kiss from a toad”, a shout-out on social media or a certificate that recognizes you as a Toad Person. Join us as a VIP guest at the premiere of the film in Vancouver.
Or claim one of these stunning original artworks by nature-loving Canadian artists.
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This artwork by Lesley Spinks is available for a contribution of just $75.
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Each of these charming artworks by Em Beaudoin are available for a $75 contribution.
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More original artwork by West Coast artist Lesley Spinks! Contribute $90 for the watermelon artwork on the left, and $100 for the charming toad painting on the right.
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These unique abstract artworks by Lesley Spinks are available for a contribution of $150.
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This stunning original piece by Jean Polfus is up for grabs for a contribution of $350.
For more significant contributions, you can join a wildlife biologist on a field trip to view rare and endangered animals in their natural habitat. These exclusive field trips provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from wildlife experts and visit barn owls, painted turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and other threatened amphibians in spectacular BC landscapes. They're also excellent wild experiences for photographers and naturalists!
Find out more about each of these special wildlife perks in our blog posts:
Check out our complete list of perks for all the details!
Meet theToad People team
There’s a team of enthusiastic people working behind the scenes to make Toad People a reality – including campaigners, wildlife photographers, filmmakers, musicians, communicators and dedicated wildlife advocates.
For the last four years, co-directors Mike McKinlay and Isabelle Groc have documented intensive community efforts to save species at risk in British Columbia. Their work has resulted in an enlightening series of short wildlife films that have educated and inspired viewers to act on behalf of endangered species in the province.
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Co-directors Mike McKinlay and Isabelle Groc
During his 15 years as a cameraman and director of photography (DP), Mike has worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from environmental awareness films to non-fiction narrative film. He’s also a professional skateboarder.
Isabelle Groc is a freelance writer and wildlife photographer, and is also the Wilderness Committee’s Species at Risk Project Coordinator. Her work has appeared in publications such as National Geographic News, BBC Wildlife and Canadian Wildlife.
In addition to Mike and Isabelle, the production team includes the Wilderness Committee’s National Policy Director Gwen Barlee, who spends her days working to ensure a better future for endangered wildlife, both in BC and across Canada.
Our all-star editor, George Faulkner, has a lot of work ahead as we move into the next phase of production on the film. And we are thrilled to be working with the talented Mark Lazeski, who is composing the soundtrack for Toad People.
And of course, this project wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of Wilderness Committee staff and volunteers in Vancouver – including Development & Public Engagement Coordinator Aimee MacDonald, Campaign Assistant Chloe Speakman, Communications Coordinator Alexis Stoymenoff, Graphic Designer Perry Jack and Species at Risk Project Assistant Jennifer Deol.
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What does it take to save a species?
The Toad People project is just one part of the Wilderness Committee’s broader campaign to protect endangered species in British Columbia. With no species at risk law to safeguard the more than 1,900 species that are at risk in the province, these threatened animals need all the support they can get.
For over 35 years, the Wilderness Committee has worked to preserve wilderness and wildlife across Canada. We have helped gain protection for millions of hectares of wilderness and critical wildlife habitat, and have celebrated precedent-setting legal victories on behalf of species at risk, including the greater sage-grouse and killer whale.
As a grassroots environmental charity, we are dedicated to conserving wilderness and defending wild species through research and public education. In addition to Toad People, the Wilderness Committee has produced a series of nine short films about unique and threatened BC species such as the barn owl, Oregon spotted frog, birds of the Okanagan, badger and duskywing butterfly. These award-winning short films have been screened at film festivals, nature festivals and educational events across southern BC. You can check them out here.
We know that producing and screening these films is an incredibly effective way to engage people and broaden public support for efforts to defend endangered species. Of all the wildlife stories we have told, the journey of the western toad was the most heartwarming and inspirational, which is why we have chosen to feature these amazing amphibians as the stars of our biggest film project yet.
With your help, this new film will recruit more Toad People to the campaign, and motivate them to take action in their communities to ensure a safe and healthy future for wildlife in British Columbia.
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How you can help
In addition to monetary contributions, you can support this campaign by helping get the word out!
You can help us build momentum for Toad People in the following ways:
Forward this page to 5 of your friends, family members or colleagues.
Tweet, share or post about the campaign on social media.
Talk to people about the project – we guarantee the title Toad People will pique some interest in conversation!
Indiegogo makes it easy to share. Just use the simple share buttons on the left to help us spread the word!
Thank you!
