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Fourth turtle release event draws record crowd

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A record crowd for turtle release event in 2019!

 

Fourth turtle release event draws record crowd in 2019
About 1,500 people visit Morrison Lake east of Exeter to observe release, into wild, of turtle hatchlings from recovered, incubated turtle eggs in area

A public education event to release turtle hatchlings back into the wild was held east of Exeter for the fourth year in a row and it drew a record crowd of about 1,500 people. Huron Stewardship Council, and community partners including Ausable Bayfield Conservation, hosted the Shellabration turtle release event at Morrison Dam Conservation Area (MDCA) on Thursday, August 29, 2019. The event drew hundreds of people in its first two years (2016 and 2017) and last year (2018) the event drew more than 900 people. Organizers say 2019 is the first year the event has surpassed 1,000 visitors.

The Huron Stewardship Council (HSC) supervised release of Painted Turtle native hatchling turtles at the event on August 29. (Organizers remind people never to place invasive non-native turtle species – such as the Red-eared Slider – into local water bodies). All the turtles at the release were hatched from eggs laid in locations at Morrison Dam Conservation Area that were unlikely to allow the eggs or hatchlings to survive on their own. Staff of the HSC collected the eggs in June and incubated them to save the turtle hatchlings.

Turtles were released every 20 minutes. Many visitors took photos as HSC staff released turtle hatchlings and shared facts about these important Ontario freshwater species, the role they play in the ecosystem, and ways we can protect turtles – from monitoring, to helping them across the road, to protecting and enhancing their habitat.

The event gave people of all ages a rare chance to meet local wildlife up close and to learn about local reptiles. “We were amazed by the public support shown for this event and some of Ontario’s at-risk wildlife,” said Cristen Watt, Species at Risk Technician with Huron Stewardship Council. “I want to thank all the people who took part, everyone who donated, all the volunteers and community partners, and everyone who is helping to save these species.”

Ontario’s turtle populations are declining and the turtle release event is one way to raise awareness about local species-at-risk, according to Watt. “Educational displays by several local organizations showed the many ways people can help these important animals, their habitat, and the environment,” she said.

New this year was a short survey about turtle habitat. Some people took the survey at the August 29 event. Anyone who attended the event but who did not take the survey is invited to complete it online at this link:

People taking the survey can get a free turtle bookmark (while supplies last). The bookmark explains how “turtles need your help to protect their habitat” and offers ways you can help, such as: create and protect local wetlands; ‘use your voice to speak up for turtles’; and to learn about protecting water, soil, and living things in your watershed community. It also explains some things that impact turtle habitat – from loss of wetlands; to water quality impairment; to properly managing activities we do and where.

There were reptile and environmental displays, reptile-themed merchandise for sale, a guided walk, and fun, active learning stations. Staff from Scales Nature Park, of the Oro-Medonte area, brought turtle species. Pinery Provincial Park, Hullett Marsh, the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, Green Goderich, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, and Huron Stewardship Council had interactive educational displays. A turtle-themed story along the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail remained posted throughout the long weekend. (Those interested in the Storytime Trail should park at the MacNaughton Park kiosk entrance, and the story begins at the 0.4 km sign post.) 

The turtle release event was free to attend but donations by attendees supported conservation of Ontario’s turtles. Hundreds of dollars were raised for Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), raising “much-needed funds” for Ontario’s largest turtle hospital. 

Ontario’s native freshwater turtles face many threats. Road mortality (death by cars and other vehicles) and habitat loss are some of those threats. Thousands of turtles in Ontario are hit by cars each year. In spring, most of those turtles are pregnant females looking for a place to lay eggs. In summertime and autumn, most are males 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, and working with their local municipalities and communities to erect turtle crossing sings and build eco-passages. People can stop for injured turtles and help arrange their transport to the turtle hospital. 

Turtles play an important part in a healthy local ecosystem, according to Hope Brock, Healthy Watersheds Technician with Ausable Bayfield Conservation. Each species of animal plays an important role to keep the system healthy. Turtles “help to clean our creeks and wetlands by eating algae and dead and decaying fish and other organisms,” she said. “Turtles help to control aquatic vegetation.”

To learn more about protecting turtles, and the release event, visit abca.ca and hsc.huronstewardship.ca or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.

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