Peterborough Blogs
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Announces New Network To Share Best Conservation Practices With Public
/The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) has announced the creation of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network, a new initiative that will support knowledge gathering and sharing of best conservation practices with experts, and the public, in order to facilitate turtle protection work throughout the province.
The creation of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network is being supported by Parks Canada through a recently signed three-year contribution agreement with the OTCC.
The creation of an Ontario Turtle Conservation Network will facilitate connections with other organizations across the province and help further engage the public in the work taking place at Parks Canada administered places.
With approximately 100 individual organizations working across the province to help protect turtles, the creation of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network will help bring these organizations together with an internal platform for conservation professionals to collaborate and share knowledge and research actions and results.
“We are delighted to be working with Parks Canada on this new initiative, that will help connect turtle conservationists across the province, and facilitate collaboration and exchange of ideas,” said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Executive & Medical Director, Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. “We are very appreciative of their support, that made this project possible.”
Members of the public can access the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network here. Organizations or individuals in Ontario working on turtle conservation that are interested in joining the internal network for conservation professionals can request access by contacting: otcn@ontarioturtle.ca.
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre Receives $250,000 in Funding to Aid in Turtle Rehabilitation
/The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is receiving $250,000 in funding from the Ontario government as part of a $4.5 million investment to protect species at risk announced on Friday.
The funding will go towards staffing, protecting and recovering at-risk turtles, education, field research and disease surveillance.
“The on-the-ground work carried out by stewardship organizations is extremely important to protecting at-risk plants and wildlife in Ontario,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Our government is proud to support its partners and the many important research and recovery projects they are undertaking this year to help preserve our province’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.”
"This historic investment will strengthen their work in ecological restoration and rehabilitation projects locally and across the province,” said MPP Dave Smith.
The Conservation Centre was one of over 80 projects approved for funding through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. They are the only accredited veterinarian hospital dedicated to turtles in the province.
"They (turtles) come in from all over Ontario, we have 1,500 turtles that come in per year approximately," said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Conservation Centre executive and medical director. “Since road mortality is one of the leading causes of declines and why seven of the eight of our native species are at risk, this really does a lot to help mitigate that any by time to fix the problem.”
@ptbo_canada Turtles are important for our wetlands! They help clean and filter the water for us! We love these guys! #turtlesoftiktok #turtlesquad🐢 #ptbo #prbocanada #wildlife #animals #turtle #turtles ♬ Hug a Turtle - Parry Gripp