National Iowa Museum Needs You Toad-Ally in Love for Conservation

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and February 2nd is National River Day, so it's the perfect time to think about... TOADS! Bumpy, warty, and kind of cute, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium wants your love to grow this year just like the Wyoming Toad population! And needless to say, I'm a huge fan and supporter of our local, national museum in Dubuque.

That's right, break away from traditional gifts like flowers, chocolates, and jewelry, this initiative provides an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the endangered Wyoming Toad. Museum guests can contribute to the cause by symbolically adopting a Wyoming Toad. For each named tadpole or toad, a digital certificate with the chosen name will be sent via email, just in time for Valentine's Day gifting.

Here's the deal, the population of Wyoming Toads declined dramatically in the 1970s, and by January of 1984, it was listed on the Endangered Species Act. Since joining the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Association of Zoos & Aquarium Species Survival Plan Program in 2008, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium's conservation team has helped release more than 52,000 toads back to the wild.

When you make your donation to "Toad-ally in Love" you will receive a certificate with your tadpole or toad’s name just in time for Valentine’s Day, a perfect gift for your friends, loved ones, or even to yourself! Skip the flowers and "gift" a toad. You can also stop by the River Museum now through Valentine’s Day to share your love for your family and friends with a "Toad Note" at both of our Box Offices! Toad notes will be proudly displayed at both Box Offices until February 14th.

Last year's Toad-ally in Love initiative made a significant impact, helping offset costs associated with maintenance, equipment upgrades, and travel to Wyoming. With continued support, the Living Collections department aims to enhance the breeding habitat by upgrading the holding area, replacing lighting and plumbing, and providing dietary supplements for the toads.

Your love and participation in the "Toad-ally in Love" program extends the river museums nationwide conservation efforts. The goal is to help them reach $7,500 to fund improvements in the breeding habitat at the River Museum and support our local team’s efforts in the Wyoming Toad’s habitat, located in Albany County, Wyoming.