Sept 8, 2026 - Volunteer Email

Sep 9

Aaniin Everyone,

I hope you all had a lovely long weekend, and for those with children or youth in your lives, I hope they had a good first day at school.

Jenny, Mentors, and Biidaasige volunteers released hatchlings from Scales via foot and kayak! Thanks to Don't Mess with the Don. See photos in the general chat group
Miigwetch to permit-holding Mentors who have been picking up hatchlings from Scales this season for releases!
Miigwetch Jenny for reaching out to Toronto Adventures and Don't Mess with the Don so we have full water access to release hatchlings via canoe and kayak!
Miigwetch to all the volunteers who are checking nests and supporting hatchlings to get safely to water!

Due to daylight changes at this time of year, please note that schedule times have shifted. There is no need to check nests before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
Please remember to honour the three hour a week commitment by signing up for shifts. Miigwetch!

According to Scales and other conservation groups, it is ideal to avoid releasing hatchlings at dusk (7:30pm until 8:15pm current time) or dawn (before 7:30am currently). This is due to some animals becoming highly active at these periods of time. Therefore, please do not release hatchlings between these times.
You may release hatchlings at night (after 8:15 p.m. current time, as this time will shift) as long as two or more volunteers are present for safety reasons.
If you are releasing hatchlings at night, please ensure all volunteers are exiting the park from the same exit. Also text the Hotline directly and complete the park check-in/out when you have left the park.

If you release any hatchlings, you must complete the data form. If multiple volunteers are present, please decide amongst you who will complete the data form.
If hatchlings emerge again later—whether the same day or a different day—and you release hatchlings, please complete the data form again

Always communicate with the Hotline regarding hatchling emergence. If you are the second volunteer on scene and more hatchlings emerge from a nest, remember to communicate with the Hotline. This is important in case the Hotline needs to share updated information with you.
The Hotline Operator should always be updated regarding the number of hatchlings that are emerging.
Volunteers must check in with the Hotline before any releases. This includes hatchlings emerging from the same nest at different times of day with different volunteers present.
Please remember to communicate constantly with the Hotline Operator. The Hotline checks in with Jenny or I when needed. Miigwetch!

Two years ago, storm pond Mama laid eggs in an unknown nest. Hatchlings were found trapped between the large boulders unable to reach water. Thankfully, Grace, Jenny's daughter, spotted them while we were scouting for more hatchlings. Please scout these boulders once a day if possible.
The last time Mama was spotted was in the enclosed fenced garden next to the tennis courts, along the back fence near the woods. We don't know if she laid eggs in that area.
Please continue to monitor Ellis Park Road for any hatchlings. Unfortunately, in the past we have found deceased hatchlings on this road. We don't know if any Mamas nested this year along that road.

There is no need to monitor Stephen Drive because neighbourhood residents are monitoring nests six times daily. However, volunteers are welcome to monitor.
Multiple nests were excavated yesterday because a week had passed since the last hatchlings emerged. This was done to ensure no hatchlings were trapped, which could save lives. Only Jenny or I can make the decision to excavate any currently protected nests. If there is a concern about a nest please contact the Hotline, or if a week has passed and no more hatchlings have emerged from an active nest.
During this excavation, it was apparent that the floods impacted a couple of nests along the river. Multiple lifeless hatchlings were found at the bottom of two nests. Mentor Suzanne, also a TWC volunteer, cared for these hatchlings and used a reptile heating pad to check for any sign of life. Unfortunately, these hatchlings were returned to water this morning after showing no signs of life.
Next year, we will excavate all nests along the riverbank due to the risk of flooding which will increase because of the climate crisis.

Miigwetch for completing the form to share your availability.
Please complete the form to arrange a time to meet for the training: CLICK HERE
I am currently available from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Etienne Brule Park this week (Thurs, Fri, Sun, Mon, and Tues). We will meet in the Etienne Brule parking lot. If this doesn't work for you please indicate it on the form

We hope you all have a lovely week ahead!

Carolynne and Jenny

Sept 1, 2026 - Volunteer Email