Turtle Release Event is August 29, 2024
Annual turtle hatchling release event takes place east of Exeter on August 29, 2024
Ninth annual turtle hatchling release event, at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, educates public about freshwater turtles and habitat they need to survive
The Huron Stewardship Council (HSC) and Ausable Bayfield Conservation are joining with other community partners to host the return of the Turtle Hatchling Release Event. The popular annual event is on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It takes place at Morrison Dam Conservation Area, at 71108 Morrison Line, east of Exeter.
Admission is free and people are welcome to drop in at any time during the event. Donations are encouraged and all proceeds support turtle conservation in Ontario.
The event includes live reptiles on display; family-friendly activities; educational displays and more.
There is merchandise for sale as well.
The turtle hatchling release event has taken place since 2016 (it was held as a virtual event in 2020 and 2021).
Sheldon Paul is HSC Fieldwork Coordinator. He said the turtle event draws crowds every year and is a great way to educate people of all ages about the need to protect Ontario’s eight turtle species.
“It’s fun, it’s free and we look forward to seeing everyone there,” he said.
Hope Brock is ABCA Healthy Watersheds Technician. She said turtles help to control aquatic vegetation and to clean creeks and wetlands by eating algae and dead and decaying fish and other organisms. People can protect turtles, she said, by watching for turtles on roads when driving, helping them safely cross roads in the way they are headed, protecting nests from predators, and reporting turtle sightings to community monitoring projects.
Enhancing turtle habitat is also vital. “Preserving and creating habitat for turtles and other species is one of the most important things we can do to sustain our turtle species,” she said. “Planting native trees and shrubs, restoring and enhancing wetlands, and growing natural areas all help to protect turtles locally and across Ontario.”
People attending will not be able to hold the turtles. This is to protect the animals and reduce their stress. Those attending will be able to see the turtles as they are released. The HSC staff releasing the hatchlings are trained and authorized for release. (Organizers remind the public to never release species, especially non-native species, into the wild).
Ontario’s native freshwater turtles face many threats including habitat loss and road mortality (death by cars and other vehicles). Hundreds of turtles in Ontario are hit by cars each year in the spring, summer, and autumn. These could be gravid (pregnant) females looking for a place to lay eggs, or males and females looking for new ponds and mates.
People can help turtles by creating nesting habitat on their properties, stopping to help turtles cross the road in the direction they are heading (when it is safe to do so), and working with their local municipalities and communities to erect turtle crossing signs and build safe passages. People can also arrange for transport of injured turtles to the turtle hospital.
People can also act to protect, create, and enhance the natural areas that provide the habitat for turtle hatchlings to eat, drink, reproduce, and grow and become the adult turtles of tomorrow.
To learn more visit the Huron Stewardship Council website, and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation turtles web page, or email the HSC.