All of Ontario's turtles are now on the Species at Risk list! Our slow-moving friends are incredibly important to aquatic ecosystems and help to keep our waters clean and healthy.
Turtles are a link to our past and essential for our future survival. They take around 60 years to replace themselves once in nature. More than 90% of nests are predated in The Land Between region. Therefore, each adult is important for the continuation of the population and is precious. But also each hatchling needs to be kept in the population and given a chance to make spatial memories to navigate their territories for the rest of their lives (something that do best as juveniles).
The largest threat to turtles is from road injuries and mortality. However, habitat loss, pet trade and poaching are issues, as people mistakenly think that snapping turtles are threatening, which can result in displacement or harm to these ancient souls.
Our Initiative
TURTLE CONSERVATION
Our team works tirelessly to help with the conservation of turtles. From field research, to spreading the word about our beloved shelled friends and educating communities on how to help. During the summer months, we are out on the road actively researching turtle populations, taking measurements, and while also helping them cross the road. We also excavate nests and release hatchlings to attempt to balance the scales where currently unnaturally high levels of predation are a result of human settlement.
WETLAND CONSERVATION
Turtles are essential to our wetlands. They are eco-heroes and agents of biodiversity; they move seeds around creating new habitats that support fish and other wildlife, and plants that filter the water. They also cycle nutrients and are the best cleaning crews for our waters, as they remove dead carcasses which are sources of harmful bacteria. The best janitors and gardeners are our wonderful snapping turtles! Wetlands are essential for approximately 75% of Ontario's fish and wildlife. We actively monitor wetlands, and restore shores and shoals to benefit turtles and all wildlife.
ROAD ECOLOGY AND THREAT MITIGATION
The greatest threat to freshwater turtles in North America, and indeed for most wildlife, are roads: Road mortality results in significant harm and reductions to turtle populations. Turtles take ~60 years to replace themselves once in nature. Protecting migrating and nesting adults is important to stabilize populations and for hope for the future. We research mortality zones, and design innovative solutions to direct turtles safely through underpasses, or to nesting mounds that are away from roadways.
If you are interested in helping these innocent creatures, please register on the Turtle Guardians website.
More about our programs
