Adopt a Turtle fundraiser runs until September 3
Adopt a Turtle fundraiser, helping to protect species-at-risk freshwater turtles in our area, reaches halfway mark and runs until September 3
Almost 20 donors have supported fundraising campaign so far; community encouraged to support this turtle habitat and protection drive before it ends on September 3, 2026
Almost 20 community members have answered the call to donate to a four-month fundraising campaign to support habitat enhancement and protection work for our local freshwater turtle species. The Adopt a Turtle Fundraising Campaign has reached its halfway mark (as of July 15, 2026). The campaign runs until Thursday, September 3, 2026 (the day of the annual hatchling release event at Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter).
Rosalind Chang is Healthy Watersheds Coordinator with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). She said the community support for this fundraising drive is greatly appreciated.
“We are very grateful to see people caring for the future of our freshwater turtle species and for responding to this call for donations,” she said. “We are very pleased with the progress of this campaign but there is still lots of work left to do.”
To donate now, or to learn more, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation events web page at abca.ca. On that page, there is an event news post about the campaign. You may also donate at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office at 71108 Morrison Line (two kilometres east of Exeter) or you may phone the office at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
All of Ontario’s eight native turtle species are at risk and all of them can be found in the ABCA watershed area. Adopt a Turtle promotes donations to the Support the Turtles Protection Program to enhance wetland habitat for turtles.
There are three tiers of recognition for fundraising campaign supporters: 1) Hatchling Hero ($20 donation); Adopt a Turtle ($50); and Conservation Insider ($250 donation or higher). Donors at the higher levels receive recognition including a turtle-related gift package; and a monthly email update following the progress of the turtle hatchlings.
Turtles are important links in food webs and provide essential ecological services. Snapping turtles, for example, help to control aquatic vegetation and clean creeks and wetlands by eating algae and dead and decaying fish and other organisms. They also cycle nutrients and spread seeds which benefit other organisms. Learn more about our amazing turtle species on the Ausable Bayfield Conservation turtles web page.
PHOTO – SLEEPY SNAPPING TURTLE HATCHLING FEATURED IN SHORT VIDEO REEL – The hard work by Ausable Bayfield Conservation staff, monitoring at-risk turtle species, has them almost as sleepy as this Snapping Turtle hatchling! Their work is far from over, however, as they continue to diligently care for incubating eggs, protecting at-risk turtle nests, and enhancing the wetland habitat these turtle species need. By donating to the Adopt A Turtle Campaign, you can support this work and keep up-to-date with the incubating eggs! A fundraising campaign for turtle habitat and protection has reached its halfway point and continues until Thursday, September 3, 2026 (which is the date of the annual Turtle Hatchling Release Event). In promotion of this drive to help species-at-risk turtles in Ausable Bayfield watersheds, a short video reel has been produced showing one of the turtle hatchlings which will be released back into the wild into the waters from which it originated. (In the video, the little Snapping Turtle hatchling looks a little sleepy and appears to be going for a rest). To watch the half-minute video short, visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation YouTube channel or go directly to the video link.