June 22 - Weekly Volunteer Email
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' MONTH
I hope you have a chance to attend one of the many events happening this month. Yesterday was the Solstice, which is significant amongst Indigenous Peoples all across Mother Earth and among other cultures.
I have attached a list of a few resources for continual learning. These are primarily Indigenous sources. CLICK HERE
MIIGWETCH:
For the many hours you have spent with Mamas, helping turtles cross roads, and more. We are so grateful for your care, commitment, and time to these relatives and all animal kin living in areas we know as parks.
UPDATE:
Approximately 80 nests have been protected thus far
Due to Due to human-caused risks, we have excavated 25 of the nests and sent 821 eggs to Scales Nature Park for incubation.
Unfortunately another Painted Turtle lost her life on one of the roads in Humber Bay last night. Another lost their life the week before on the Queensway; I learned about this after sending the last weekly email.
A Blanding's Mama nested in one of the parks this past week. We are so grateful to all the volunteers on scene who protected this Mama. Her nest was excavated and her eggs were transported to Scales for incubation and their HeadStart program. We do not announce the location of Blanding's due to the high risk of poaching.
TOTAL NESTS IN EACH PARK:
17 in Brickworks
18 in High Park
4 in Rennie Park
6 in Humber EB
1 in Home Smith
12 in Humber Bay Park
7 in King’s Mill
11 in Smythe Park
2 in Woodbine
1 in Sam Smith
2 in other parks (Humber Yacht Club shoreline and Taylor Creek Park)
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE:
PLEASE remember to sign up for shifts weekly. We have trained enough volunteers to cover all shifts in most parks. But we still notice many shifts remain unfilled in several parks. This can create a heavier load for volunteers who consistently try to fill those gaps. We want to ensure no one gets burnt out. Nesting season is only a few more weeks (until mid July approximately). This is the time we need as many volunteers as possible in the parks or responding to turtles on land.
If you are available for other parks and see unfilled shifts, feel free to sign up. There is no need to connect with a Mentor. You can just use the map to learn where the known nesting areas are located
Friendly reminder to write any absences in the side bar of the schedule each week
NESTING MAMAS:
Friendly reminder to give turtles a lot of space whenever they are on land. The exception is when there is a threat to their safety such as vehicles or dogs off leash
We are noticing some people are still too close to turtles. Some of these turtles are easily spooked. It's best to not be in their line of vision. Try to give them at least three car lengths of space. If you have binoculars they can be useful to help monitor turtles' digging. Binoculars for volunteer use have been placed in the bins and storage lockers of parks. If you use them, please remember to return them.
Whenever a Mama is moving on land be mindful of your proximity to turtle. If you are standing in the direction he/she wants to travel they probably won't go that way. Instead they may go the opposite direction. Always monitor the turtle's behaviour and adjust your behaviour accordingly. Always monitor the turtle's behavior and adjust your behavior accordingly. We are always learning and try our best to be guided by turtle.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Jenny and I will soon resume the monthly wetland walks in the parks. Stay tuned for upcoming dates
Celebration of Life Ceremony - Unfortunately, some turtles and other animal kin lost their lives. This ceremony is to honour them. It is also an opportuntiy to share any grief being held for those relatives. It will be conducted by Grandmother Vivian. It will happen on an evening in July after nesting season. A date will be set by next week.
We hope you all have a lovely week ahead!
Miigwetch,
Carolynne and Jenny
