What We Do:
Latest News:
Grace's Story
Don't Let Our Communities Fall From Grace
Grace, the one-eyed, and oldest recorded female snapping turtle in Ontario’s Highlands was found- deceased in July 2023. Her story began as a celebrated and recognized icon in the small village of Haliburton. The difficulty ensued in January 2022 when her hibernation site, an Environmentally Protected wetland was filled, in part due to a lack of local protections. Of all parts of a turtle's territory, it is the hibernation sites that they are most loyal to because of their unique features allowing for safe overwintering. The story culminated in Grace's remains being found but not where one would expect. Her bones were in an entirely different watershed, in a place and a time where Grace would not have ventured of her own volition. And after worldwide concern and over 125,000 signatures, the municipality and province are fumbling... Read more...
Our Impact
At Turtle Guardians, we provide education, conduct research, rescue turtles on roads, and implement mitigation solutions. We also rescue, incubate and release turtle hatchlings under special permits. This practice, also known as "headstarting", increases odds of survival and helps bolster turtle populations.
Note: All research including turtle measurements, incubation and releases, and tunnel system installations are done under wildlife permits and with authorizations.
Keep in touch
Visit us in person!
Turtle Guardians headquarters is located at 6712 Gelert Road, Haliburton. We're open for drop-in tours from July to October on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Satrudays from 10am to 4pm. From November to June contact us to book a tour.
We also offer off-site workshops and events!
Keep in touch online! Follow our social channels:
Or sign-up to receive our newsletter, Snapshots: