May 26 - Weekly Volunteer Email
Aaniin/Hello everyone,
My apologies for the delay in sending this email. Yesterday was a full day until 9:30pm. Today I also have a full schedule. Therefore, I am sending this email late. I appreciate everyone's patience especially as we will soon enter nesting season.
Please read this email carefully as there is a lot of content.
THREE-HOUR WEEKLY COMMITMENT BEGINS THIS WEEK:
We ask everyone to begin honouring their three hour commitment starting this week. Please ensure you remember to sign up. Reminding people takes significant time and energy.
We noticed many blank shifts across all parks. Please sign up!
The three hours can be one shift or broken down to one hour a day for three days
Mentors will track park schedules to ensure everyone signs up
If you are ever absent for a week or more, please indicate it on the side
Please sign up one to two weeks in advance
The more volunteers we have in the parks, the more turtles we can protect!
As you begin your shift, remember to check in and out via Signal and read the park group chat for any important updates
WHEN TO CALL THE HOTLINE:
Just another reminder!
Always call the Hotline regarding a turtle that hasn't moved from a basking location for 24 hours, a turtle that may be in distress, or any turtle sightings on land. These actions can save lives!
If a turtle requires monitoring, Volunteer Mentors, please track the monitoring of turtle when you see monitoring messages from volunteers in the group chats? The Hotline Operator will share this information with Jenny and I. We will consult biologists regarding next steps. When in doubt, just call the Hotline.
If you see any other animal relative in distress, please call as we have a relationship with Toronto Wildlife Centre. We will be able to get them the medical attention needed
NEST PROTECTORS:
Nesting season is quickly approaching as daytime temperatures are staying in the late teens or twenties. We are receiving more calls on the Hotline
We need to ensure all nest protectors are repaired. Miigwetch to the crew of volunteers who repaired the protectors in High Park. It would be great if volunteers with tools and skills could assist with securing the mesh on protectors in Etienne Brule, Sam Smith, and Brickworks. If anyone from the High Park crew can support repairs at any of these parks, that would be great
We will use red metal number tags this year. Some tags have been left in the storage locker at High Park and Brickworks. Jenny will drop off some for Smythe tomorrow during the training. We just need to get some to Sam Smith and other park locations
NEW VOLUNTEERS AS OF MAY:
Welcome to Turtle Protectors! We are so excited to have more help!
A friendly reminder to complete the Indigenous Ways of Knowing and nesting training
We recommend signing up for a shift when a Mentor is scheduled to provide an orientation and refresher of the trainings. If a Mentor isn't available, you may ask in the park group chat for either a Mentor or a returning volunteer to meet you for an orientation
We will begin adding you to Signal. If you don't get an inviation by tomorrow evening, you can text the Hotline (647-491-4057) and state your name and which parks you are volunteering in
VOLUNTEER CENTRAL:
Our volunteer portal is on our website under the volunteer tab. Click on Volunteer Central which will direct you to a page where you can enter the password: miigwetch
Please refer to this page to access the following: weekly schedule, manual, park maps, instructions on how to pin a location, specific park information and more
Under the "Forms" tab, you will find the data forms to complete when with a turtle, incident forms, and honorarium form, if relevant.
SIGNAL APP USES:
Individual park group chat:
Only post communication here that is important for others in the park to know. For example, after contacting the Hotline, you can report a nest that has an emergence hole, has had hatchlings emerge, has been predated, or ask a question related to a nest.
Park volunteers should ideally review all messages periodically to stay up to date. But turn off notifications.
General communications:
Share photos, events, and general comments, and connect with all volunteers. Reviewing this chat is optional, and you can turn off notifications.
Hotline Check In/Out:
All volunteers must check in and out of parks. State your name, the park you are checking into and your exit time only. There is no need to review this chat and notifications should be turned off.
Turtles/Hatchlings on Land: When possible please keep this notification on
Whenever Hotline Operator receives a call about a turtle or hatchling on land or in distress, they will put it in this group along with the individual park chat. Some volunteers are in multiple parks. Volunteers should only write in this chat if they are planning to be on scene
Example:
Hotline Operator - Attention Brickworks, turle nesting at (provide pinned location). Need a volunteer
A Volunteer - This is Carolynne on my way. ETA is ten minutes
Then begin communicating directly with the Hotline Operator via the Hotline by calling or texting.
POPULATION STUDY:
As of tomorrow researchers Ethan and Dave will set up hoop nets in High Park. They will check the nets the following day. They will be in High Park all next week.
Turtles will be measured, weighed, checked for fishing hooks, and have their sex determined, among other things. This will create a baseline for the number of turtles living in Grenadier Pond.
You will find them down by our shed near the fishing dock
You are welcome to stop by to learn. It will be a great opportunity to learn how to hold turtles and release them back to water
To find out more, check messages on park group chat
VOLUNTEER MANUAL:
Chi miigwetch to Jenny for all of her hard work and time writing and revising the content based on our old manual to make it even better and up to date! She spent many hours ensuring you all have the necessary information to support you!
Chi miigwetch to volunteer mentor Kitty for all of their hard work and time for formatting, editing, and co-writing a few sections of the manual. It really looks beautiful and so professional! We are so grateful
The manual still needs a bit more info added, but it has the necessary information needed at this time
The manual is now available on the Volunteer Central/Portal
Please take the time to review this manual. Alot of time, energy and care went into it
TRAININGS REMINDER:
NESTING TRAINING: Mandatory for 2026 volunteers
Save the dates to attend one of each of these trainings
If you have trouble finding us, please text the Hotline (647-491-4057)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR BOTH TRAININGS
May 27th: 6:30pm to 8pm - Smythe - Meet at the pool entrance (NEW DATE)
May 28th: 6:30pm to 8pm - Sam Smith - Meet in the last parking lot
INDIGENOUS WAYS OF KNOWING TRAINING: Mandatory for 2026 volunteers
May 26th: 7pm to 9pm - on Zoom (See link below)
June 2nd: 6:30pm to 8:30pm - High Park - Meet in front of Grenadier Cafe
Indigenous Ways of Knowing Training - May 26th (Please do not share with others)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89864735788?pwd=suRSBhxqIs6RKfnX2dNoIuKAISE5Kt.1
Meeting ID: 898 6473 5788
Passcode: 729625
TURTLES & HATCHLINGS:
Please continue to keep your eyes on the ground for any hatchlings as they can still emerge from protected and unknown nests
Miigwetch to volunteer mentor Sharon for transporting Snapping Turtle to TWC for a quick health check yesterday. Turtle was returned to their wetlands last night
Miigwetch everyone! We can't do this work without you and we and turtles are so greatful!
