Road Sweeps Before Maintenance
Working under wildlife permits we may be able to excavate, incubate and then release hatchlings that were laid in vulnerable locations along Provincial Highways, County Roads, and construction zones. This allows for maintenance to proceed without worry.
Incubation and Release
Turtle Guardians is the third largest incubator in Ontario. We average 9000 eggs and hatchling releases each year, with a success rate of 95-97%. This program ensures we have turtles around for the future by increasing success rates from only 7 in 10,000 eggs hatching and hatchlings reaching adulthood in exurban areas, to 1 in 250!
Pilot Ecopassage Fencing
We have designed, constructed and installed a new prototype Eco passage/jump out fencing solution that is durable and stable in erodible areas, less expensive, and which reduces installation and maintenance costs. We are moving towards greater production and full installation in areas across three counties in partnership with the road departments
Training and Resources
We provide training for road departments, governments and practitioners. We also work with experts to deliver workshops and create resources to increase skills and knowledge. We are developing a portfolio of information to help jurisdictions mitigate harm to turtles, and achieve a balanced approach to conservation and development.
Road Maintenance BMP Guides
We are updating our guide for municipal road departments to ensure road maintenance can be done with least harm to our vulnerable wildlife. Currently we have highlighted areas for mitigation, and we also integrate timing windows in the upcoming version.
Awareness Billboards and Wildlife Zone Signage
We work with municipalities to identify hazard areas and road mortality hotspots, where signs can be installed to raise awareness and reduce road strikes or incidents. We also install billboards along key travel routes to increase awareness and support mitigation efforts.
Mapping and Assessing Turtle Ecopassage Needs
We are collecting data and mapping turtle mortality hotspots, and which align with the presence of culverts. We then assess the potential of these sites for ecopassage installation or where signage needs to be installed and/or Crossing Guards can be dispatched. To date we have mapped over 1000 sites across The Land Between bioregion, and have assessed 140 sites to highlight priorities and feasible solutions.
Alternative Nesting Mounds
We have been experimenting with nesting mound creation and placement to attract turtles to safer areas away from roadsides. Please stay tuned for our Best Management Guide to nesting mound creation.
Turtle Guardians has worked with EcoKare International, Scales Nature Park, local municipalities, and with the support of Environment Canada and Climate Change through the Community Nominated Priority Place Program, as well as the Eastern Georgian Bay Initiative, Ganewenim Mshkiikii to advance turtle recovery by reducing road mortality.
