Sept 16, 2026 - Volunteer Email
Mino gizheb/Good morning everyone,
We hope you all are having a good start to your day. I apologize for the delay with this email. I needed to attend to a few other commitments.
UPDATES:
For several days volunteers in High Park monitored adult Snapping Turtle, named Mick who had been on land for at least a week. We consulted OTCC, turtle biologists, and other turtle conservation groups for guidance. Due to the busy park it presented many challenges for Mick, including baseball games, dogs off-leash dogs, and park roads surrounding his location. He had left Grenadier Pond a couple of times therefore we tried to honour his lead to see where he wanted to go. Turtles may come onto land to change wetlands before and after brumation. Due to concerns about dropping overnight temperatures and guidance from OTCC and others, we decided to bring him to Spring Creek which connects to South Duck Pond. Please monitor this area for any sightings of him. He is quite old yet healthy. If you spot Mick in water, please text the Hotline and share in chat his location. If you see Mick on land, call the Hotline immediately
Hatchlings continue to emerge from nests across the parks. Many hatchlings have been found from unknown nests. Please scout areas especially roads and parking lots.
Miigwetch everyone for your support!
SCHEDULE:
If you plan an impromptu nest check in a park, please add your name on the schedule afterwards. This helps for tracking purposes
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF):
This past Sunday, a Conservation Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) approached two volunteers who had contained hatchlings from a nest. One volunteer was wearing a volunteer t-shirt. They asked the volunteers to show our permit which is required to contain any hatchlings. One reason for this requirement is the high risk of poaching. The volunteers immediately contacted the Hotline. I called the volunteer and spoke with the Conservation Officer. I informed him that we do have a permit under Toronto Animal Services (TAS). He asked for me to email it to him. Afterwards he had his photo taken with hatchlings.
When I sent the permit I noticed it actually doesn't have Turtle Protectors' name on it. It only lists my name and Jenny's name along with the Toronto Animal Services Director. I sent it to him asking if this was sufficient.
The Conservation Officer responded, stating that every active volunteer's name must be on the permit. Therefore we need to have the permit amended, which the TAS Director will arrange immediately.
In the meantime, to ensure you are clearly identifiable, you must wear your shirt or borrow a vest (in storage bins) during your shift. Otherwise, you risk receiving a fine. This has happened to another organization's volunteers. It is also a good idea to carry your ID on you to ensure it matches with the name on the permit.
Please complete the form stating the name that appears on your legal identification. Otherwise, you risk receiving a fine. PLEASE READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY: CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM
I need to send names today. Miigwetch!
DATA FORM COMPLETION:
Please complete the data form if you release hatchlings. If more than one volunteer releases hatchlings simultaneously, please decide who will complete the form.
If hatchlings emerge again later—whether the same day or a different day—and you release hatchlings, please complete the data form again.
It appears we may be missing data regarding the number of hatchlings released. Mentors have been asked to follow up with volunteers. Miigwetch!
EVENTS:
WEBINAR - From Knowledge to Action: Advancing Turtle Conservation in Cananda
GRASSY NARROWS:
September 23rd at noon at Grange Park, downtown
Turtle Protectors has registered to support Grassy Narrows River Run Rally 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.
If you plan to join us, please complete the brief form: CLICK HERE
WETLAND WALKS
September 26th - more details to follow
September 30th - Truth and Reconciliation Day Walk in High Park - 6pm to 7pm
END OF YEAR SHELLABRATION:
November 15th - High Park Nature Centre
More details to follow
We hope you all have a lovely week ahead.
Carolynne and Jenny
