May 6 2022

MEDIA RELEASE – PDF Version Here

Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre launches Ontario Turtle Conservation Network

Supporting the creation of an online resource for turtle research and conservation in Ontario

Peterborough, Ontario – The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) is pleased to announce the creation of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network, an exciting 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.

Eight species of turtle are found in the province of Ontario, all of which are species at risk federally and face population declines. The Ontario Turtle Conservation Network is an online resource that offers public access to educational resources to learn more about turtle conservation and get involved with local turtle conservation initiatives. The network will facilitate learning, coordination of efforts, and open new opportunities for members of the public to engage with local organisations to help ensure turtle population recovery.

With approximately 100 individual organisations working across the province to help protect turtles, the creation of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network will help bring these organisations together with an internal platform for conservation professionals to collaborate and share knowledge and research actions and results.

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.

“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.  We are very appreciative of their support, that made this project possible.”

Dr. Sue Carstairs, Executive & Medical Director, Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre 

“Parks Canada is pleased to work with partners like the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre to help conserve species at risk like the native species of turtles found in Ontario. By sharing knowledge and adopting a regional approach to conservation, we are in a much better position to achieve our wider conservation goals. We’re stronger together. After all, protected areas are not self-contained islands, but rather components of broader landscapes and ecosystems.”

Louis Lavoie, Executive Director, Ontario and Waterways – Parks Canada

Quick Facts

  • The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is a registered charity whose goal is to protect and conserve Ontario’s native turtles and the habitat in which they live.
  • The OTCC operates the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre, a turtle hospital that treats, rehabilitates, and releases injured turtles. They also perform extensive research in the field to further conservation initiatives, and they run a comprehensive education and outreach program.
  • Parks Canada contributes to heritage conservation through its leadership in conservation and presentation and its participation with conservation organisations across the country to foster a better understanding of issues and take actions to help protect and restore healthy, resilient ecosystems, and contribute to the recovery of species at risk.

Related Links

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For further information contact:
Dr. Sue Carstairs, OTCC Executive and Medical Director
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
otcn@ontarioturtle.ca | 705-741-5000 | ontarioturtle.ca
Charitable Registration # 85752 4409 RR0001 (registered as Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre)

Image courtesy of Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre

Previous Media Releases

December 2020

MEDIA RELEASE – PDF Version Here

OTF Grant Boosts Conservation of Ontario’s At-risk Turtles and Wetlands

Peterborough Over the past year, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) has been busy completing renovations to its hospital for Ontario’s at-risk turtle species. Thanks to a $143,500 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2019, OTCC was able to make needed renovations and add 3,100 square feet to the hospital as well. The Centre, founded in 2002, is Canada’s leading turtle hospital and multi-faceted conservation centre for at-risk native Ontario turtles.

“The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre has been one of Ontario’s best kept secrets and it is my genuine hope that we can use this announcement to change that and bring to the forefront the amazing work that this organization does,” said Dave Smith, MPP. “They are seemingly single-handedly reversing the declining turtle population with their rehabilitation of injured turtles and recovery and fertilization of turtle eggs from those turtles injured beyond the ability for even Dr. Carstairs to save. We are blessed to have such a world leader in this area of conservation in our backyard and I couldn’t be more emphatic in my support for the work she and her team do.”

This November, OTCC completed work at two buildings, completely renovating and re-designing them to house injured turtles in its care. In addition to substantially increasing capacity, the new facility ensures that turtles admitted to the hospital have larger enclosures that allow for maximum rehabilitative exercise, decreasing hospital stays and accelerating the turtles’ return to their source wetlands. Turtles play a critical role in maintaining the health of the life-sustaining wetland ecosystems upon which all of us depend.

“The impact that this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will have on conservation of Ontario’s declining turtle populations is extensive” said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Executive and Medical Director of OTCC. “The rapid increase in turtle admissions over the past few years had pushed our current facility well beyond capacity. The OTF Capital Grant to renovate the buildings will not only greatly increase our capacity to conserve turtle populations it will also allow us to more effectively involve the community, with more volunteers able to work concurrently to care for the turtles.”

About the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

About the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC)

Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre is a fully integrated turtle hospital and conservation centre for at-risk native Ontario turtles. OTCC measurably mitigates threats to Ontario’s declining turtle populations through a comprehensive multi-pronged approach which includes a teaching hospital, egg incubation and hatchling program, scientific research, and education and outreach.

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For further information contact:
Dr. Sue Carstairs, OTCC Executive and Medical Director
Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
705-741-5000: info@ontarioturtle.ca; website: www.ontarioturtle.ca
Charitable Registration # 85752 4409 RR0001 (registered as Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre)