Last spring, we asked you to help us protect Ontario’s eight species of turtles, all of which are at risk.
With just one year of the Turtle Protection Project under our belt, staff are already seeing amazing results.
This year, we’re excited to introduce a new way to support turtle conservation in Ontario parks: our Turtle Protection Project line of products.
Let’s take a look at how you can help Ontario’s turtles AND look good while doing it.
Get into action!
This season is especially dangerous for Ontario turtles.
Every spring, hundreds of female turtles choose the gravel shoulders of roads to nest.
Unfortunately, roads not only provide corridors for vehicles and pedestrians, but also for turtle egg predators such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
Most turtle nests are destroyed by predators within 12 hours, and less than 2% of turtle eggs hatch and survive to adulthood.
Your support helps us protect turtles during these crucial nesting times to ensure the survival of Ontario’s turtles.
Show off some cool “turtle” products
Proceeds from purchasing Turtle Protection Project products directly support turtle conservation.
With your help, we can install turtle nest covers, wildlife tunnels, and roadside fencing to keep turtles safe in our provincial parks.
There is something for everyone:
Chilly Moose Turtle Bottle
This stainless steel bottle is double-wall vacuum insulated to keep drinks hot for up to eight hours or cold for up to 12 hours.
The airtight lid is made from sustainably grown bamboo.
Adult Turtle Protection T-shirt
This unisex adult t-shirt is made from 100% organic cotton, made in Canada, and is tightly woven for a soft, comfortable feel.
This t-shirt features one of Ontario’s native and at-risk turtle species, the painted turtle.
Turtle Protection Children’s T-shirt
Foster a passion for conservation in your child with their very own Painted Turtle t-shirt!
This shirt is also made from 100% organic cotton, made in Canada, and is tightly woven for a soft and comfortable feel.
Turtle Protection Project Socks
Keep your toes warm and toasty while keeping Ontario’s turtle species safe and happy.
One size fits most for these soft and comfortable socks.
Success in protecting turtles
Thanks to our supporters, we have so far been able to complete some impactful work to protect turtles.
These are just a few of the turtle protection projects staff completed in 2021:
Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park
Thanks to its Turtle Protection Project funding, Kawartha Highlands was able to build chain-link fence-style turtle nest covers throughout the park.
Six turtle nests, five snapping turtles and one Blanding’s, were identified and protected along park roads last summer.
Snapping turtle nesting next to two existing protected turtle nests, snapping turtle hatchlings emerging from nest cavity
All five snapping turtle nests hatched within the first two weeks of September, with an average of 24 eggs per nest.
Surprisingly, 119 of the 121 eggs hatched in total. That’s a hatching rate of over 98%!
Considering that predators destroy unprotected nests at a rate of 59-94%, this is an indisputable success!
Peninsula Provincial Park
During spring 2021, Presqu’ile’s biodiversity team expanded two existing turtle nesting mounds and created two more sites in locations where turtles had previously shown interest.
Presqu’ile staff expand and develop two existing turtle mounds
After a major nesting event June 7-14, staff placed protective nest covers made of wire fencing and small-gauge chicken wire over the turtles’ nests.
They also covered the nests after other smaller laying events.
Snapping Turtle Nests Comfortably
Throughout the season, staff safely delivered more than 100 hatchlings to the shores of Presqu’ile, a significantly higher number than in previous years.
The creation of this egg-laying habitat was not only funded by donors, but also raised substantial public awareness about the Turtle Protection Project.
Those who visited the park kept their eyes glued to the nesting mounds and often informed staff when a turtle was laying its eggs.
Support the turtles today!
With your help, we can complete more of this important work this year.
Do you want to do more? Call 705-313-2462 or email [email protected] to make a donation to the Turtle Protection Project today.
Thank you for doing your part to help Ontario turtles!