Volunteer

We need your help to protect our Turtle relatives! We believe that every individual can make a meaningful impact. Join us in advocating for the Turtles that inhabit city parks in Tkaronto. We offer various opportunities for involvement, whether you are passionate about education, conservation, or community engagement. Discover the roles you can play. Become a Turtle Protector today and help us ensure a bright future for our Turtle kin!

Join us for the 2025 season! The Initial Application Form is open for new potential volunteers. Volunteer Information Sessions are scheduled online to share in detail the volunteer positions and responsibilities. We have closed our application for new volunteers until July. Please reach out in the beginning of July for our next Info Session. Miigwetch for your interest in volunteering with us.
Volunteer Trainings will begin in early April and will continue throughout the season for new incoming volunteers. A minimum of a three hour weekly commitment is required during the season (April to October). Miigwetch for your interest in supporting Turtle relatives in the city!

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

  • We require a three hour weekly commitment beginning mid April to mid October. 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.

How to become a Volunteer?

If you can help with any of the current volunteer opportunities, fill out our Initial Volunteer application form.

Once you complete your initial application, you will receive an email within seven days. Please check your spam box! You will be informed of upcoming online Volunteer Information Sessions. Afterwards there will be an opportunity to complete a Volunteer Application. Selected volunteers will be notified of upcoming mandatory trainings. You will learn about Indigenous ways of being in relationship with All of Our Relations, turtles’ habitat, lifecycle, common threats, how to support nesting Mamas, how to install a protector, assist hatchlings safely to water, and any turtles crossing roads. Volunteers will receive our manual and also be granted access to our volunteer resources. We ask for a $25 application fee from those who can afford it to contribute to our costs as we are volunteer-led.

Send us an email

If you have any question or concern, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to connect with you.