Volunteer Responsibilities & Opportunities

• New potential volunteers complete a brief Initial Volunteer Application and must attend an information session online prior to completing an application form

• The Turtle season begins in mid/late April until late October/early November. We require a three hour weekly commitment beginning mid May to mid July for nesting season and late August to mid October for the second hatchling season. Mid July to mid August is not an active time for volunteering.

• Require volunteers to have close proximity/travel to one of the seven parks (High Park, Rennie Park, Colonel Sam Smith Park, Etienne Brule Park, King’s Mill Park, Smythe Park, Don Valley Brick Works Park)

• Volunteers are required to complete all trainings prior to their first shift

• Turtle Scouting - Scouting for Hatchlings in the parks from April to May and from August to October

• Turtle Scouting - Scouting for nesting Mama Turtles from late May to mid July and report any turtle sighting.

• Turtle Protecting - Protecting Mama turtles while nesting, escorting her safely to back to water, installing a nest protector.

• Turtle Nest Monitoring. Check protected nests from April to May and from mid August to mid October and scout the park for hatchlings and assist them safely to water.

• Turtle Taxi Driver. Drive injured/sick Turtles or Hatchlings to Toronto Wildlife Centre for medical care. Turtles will be transported in enclosed containers – drivers do not need to handle turtles directly.

Remote opportunities

• Answering our Hotline. Requires access to internet and a computer to log on the website for our phone line. Must be a returning volunteer.