Education Coordinator, Lauren, showcasing the shell of a Blandings turtle while engaging with the public on turtle conservation.
The Kawartha Turtle Trauma Center was all the buzz at the Royal Ontario Museum last weekend as families were able to engage and learn about Ontario’s turtles. The KTTC was visiting as part of the Partners in Protection event at the ROM which brings together environmental organizations working to solve biodiversity- related problems while also connecting to the general public and visitors of the ROM. I was able to join the KTTC Education Coordinator, Lauren, along to the event and was blown away by the turnout!
Throughout the 5 hour event, we engaged with more than 740 guests! Families, young children, young adults, and seniors alike were all coming through the Earth Rangers Studios eager to ask questions and learn about turtle conservation efforts and the KTTC.
A young ROM guest holds a replica snapping turtle egg while learning
about the evolution of the species.
The public were captivated by both the lifelike examples of all 8 native Ontario turtle species as well as the real shell specimens of Blandings turtle, eastern musk turtle, and a large snapping turtle. Even the shy little ones couldn’t resist the chance to touch a real turtle shell!
One young ROM visitor touches the shell of a snapping turtle model
while learning the troubles facing Ontario’s turtles.
Partners in Protection runs all year, on the first Sunday of every month and is free with general admission to the museum. For more information visit: www.rom.on.ca
Written by Guest Blogger: Becky Plant (Environmental Visual Communications Intern)
