Sept 1, 2026 - Volunteer Email
Aaniin everyone,
It is already September! The time seems to be passing quickly. We hope this day finds you and your loved ones well.
Sorry for the delay in sending this email. I was still moving out of my old apartment until late last night.
UPDATES:
Miigwetch everyone for signing up for shifts, helping hatchlings and so much more! We are so grateful to you!
Approximately 850 hatchlings have been supported to reach water. Hatchlings have been emerging from nests across multiple parks, especially after rain. Please sign up for shifts
Hatchlings from incubators have been released in multiple parks. Permit holders released Humber hatchlings into Humber Marshes by canoe. This was an exciting way to bring them to water. Volunteers carefully placed the hatchlings on lilypads and waited until they entered water.
An adult turtle lost their life today on the Queensway near High Park. The caller contacted the Hotline when turtle was spotted on the bike path. While on the phone with the Hotline, turtle was struck and killed by a vehicle. Please continue to monitor roadways while scouting for hatchlings.
PROTECTED NESTS:
Nests can be fully blocked if they are checked four times daily. Typically this happens with all nests in and around High Park
If nests are next to roads or very bushy areas, please block the two exits that face roads, etc. We can only block two exits. But these nests still need to be checked at least twice a day.
If you see what appears to be an emergence hole, always contact the Hotline immediately.
If you see a hatchling, contain hatchling and call Hotline. Then scout for more
If you see a turtle crossing a road, please intervene if safe to do so. Once turtle is safe after crossing, move it in the direction it was travelling, then call the Hotline.
WEATHER:
Rain is forecasted daily this week and next in some areas. Please monitor nests for any flooding. If you spot a nest with water pooling or one that looks very wet, please call the Hotline immediately.
If there is a flood risk alert, once it is safe, we ask volunteers to check all protected nests and text the Hotline to let Adore know if the nests are okay.
Reminder to avoid the park during thunderstorms and high winds
COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC:
Unfortunately, we continue to receive complaints about communication between volunteers and park visitors.
Sorry about the capitalized lettering. I just want to ensure this is very clear. PLEASE DO NOT TELL PARK VISITORS WHERE THEY CAN OR CAN'T FISH OR ABOUT LEASHING DOG COMPANIONS. Please don't take obvious photos of visitors who aren't abiding by bylaws. If taking any photos, do so discreetly (from a distance) only of off-leash dogs or people fishing (from a distance) in areas where faces are not visible; these photos are only for online 311 reports. Photos are not about identifying people, just proof these activities are occurring. Photos aren't necessary. Miigwetch!
HATCHLING TRAININGS:
If you missed the recent hatchling training and haven't completed one this year, please complete this form: CLICK HERE
Volunteers who haven't completed this training may still sign up for shifts, but cannot handle any hatchlings until a training has been completed.
This honours the volunteers who attended the training. We understand that circumstances may have prevented some volunteers from attending a training. We will try our best to arrange a training for you either by meeting me in either High Park, Etienne Brule, or Kings Mill park or possibly with a Mentor.
Please complete this form by this Friday at noon. Details regarding next steps will be sent afterward. Unfortunately, we won't send reminders to complete this form due to our busy schedules.
GRASSY NARROWS:
Turtle Protectors has registered to support Grassy Narrows River Run Rally on September 23rd at noon at Grange Park, downtown. We invite as many volunteers as possible to join us in your TP shirt to show solidarity for Grassy Narrows who is standing up for environmental justice and for righting the wrong of mercury poisoning in the community impacting both human, animal and plant kin.
Stay tuned for more details; we plan to organize a meet up spot so Turtle Protector volunteers can walk together
We wish you all a lovely week ahead!
Carolynne and Jenny
