December 2024
It is with a heavy heart that I write this goodbye to all of the wonderful Turtle Guardians I have had the pleasure to meet over the last few years. How can I sum up all of the joy and experiences this position has brought me?! I have had the opportunity to learn and grow, to try new things and to share my love of turtles and nature with so many people! I’ve gotten to travel across the province, be creative and create new programs, advocate for the protection of species at risk, spend time outside, and many days felt more like play than work.
One of the most special parts of my job has been connecting with so many incredible kids (and their families)– who are now Turtle Guardians themselves and watching their love of nature grow! I had the time of my life playing with you! I know these little people are going to grow up to be world changers and help to preserve the planet for generations to come.
I have met so many amazing people through this work, from coworkers and charity partners to landowners and visitors, to librarians and teachers, some of whom will be lifelong friends. Each of these people taught me something, whether it was about snake bites, bird calls, or car mechanics, I will take all these life lessons with me into my next chapter. A special thank you goes out to Leora, the COO and founder, who gave me this opportunity.
Perhaps the hardest part of saying goodbye for me is knowing I won’t be seeing my scaly coworkers every day. The teaching turtles and snakes have a special place in my heart. I love each of them for their individual personalities and will miss them dearly. I will miss taking a break from computer work to hold a snake, or to feed a turtle. I will miss them recognizing my (iconic) yellow crocs and baby talk. I promise I will visit them and bring their favourite treats!
I have had the pleasure of watching the Turtle Guardians program grow alongside me. When I started at Turtle Guardians in 2020, we had 4 teaching turtles, and it was only our third year incubating turtle eggs. Now, in 2024 I’m leaving behind 18 turtles, 2 snakes and the 3rd largest turtle incubation program in the province! I am so proud of the program and look forward to watching it continue to grow!
It is time for me to move on to my next adventure, continuing to pursue my passion of connecting kids to nature. I’ll be returning to school to become an Early Childhood Educator and Forest School teacher.
From sleepless nights conducting turtle nesting surveys, to chaotic turtle camp days and everything in between, I will cherish this experience and forever be a Turtle Guardian.
With Love,
Grace Wiley
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