• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Turtle Guardians

  • SHOP
  • DONATE

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • About Us & Partners
    • Meet the Teaching Turtles/Visit Us
    • What We Do
    • Research and Monitoring
    • Threat Mitigation
    • Turtle Guardian Chapters
    • Our Partners & Supporters
  • Helping Turtles
    • FAQ
    • Turtle Identification
    • Dapper Snappers
    • Threats to Ontario’s Freshwater Turtles
    • How Old is That Turtle?
  • Educational Tools
    • Level 1 Guardians
    • Turtle Camp
    • Classes, Presentations, Workshops
    • TG Blogs
    • School Curriculums
  • Volunteer
    • Help save turtles!
    • Volunteer Reporting Forms
    • Turtle Guardian Chapter Leaders
  • Report A Sighting
  • Other Ways You Can Help
    • Donate
    • Symbolically “Adopt” A Turtle
    • Turtle Conservation Wish List
    • Shop
  • Member login
  •  
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
  • Home
  • About Us & Partners
    • Meet the Teaching Turtles/Visit Us
    • What We Do
    • Research and Monitoring
    • Threat Mitigation
    • Turtle Guardian Chapters
    • Our Partners & Supporters
  • Helping Turtles
    • FAQ
    • Turtle Identification
    • Dapper Snappers
    • Threats to Ontario’s Freshwater Turtles
    • How Old is That Turtle?
  • Educational Tools
    • Level 1 Guardians
    • Turtle Camp
    • Classes, Presentations, Workshops
    • TG Blogs
    • School Curriculums
  • Volunteer
    • Help save turtles!
    • Volunteer Reporting Forms
    • Turtle Guardian Chapter Leaders
  • Report A Sighting
  • Other Ways You Can Help
    • Donate
    • Symbolically “Adopt” A Turtle
    • Turtle Conservation Wish List
    • Shop
  • Member login
  •  

Threat Mitigation

We integrate data and innovate solutions to help turtles now and for the future...so they can help us

BlandingsTurtle
Learn about the threats to turtles and their declines
Headstarting Hatchlings

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.

55fb4b36-6283-4552-a020-e24e847f4827

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!

ecopassage2

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

road dept

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.

mvoing the nsapping

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.

180377351_2904923883093314_4084310828219454431_n

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.

Sample Mapping 2 - Watercourse Intersection Only

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.

nesting patu

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.

SnappingTurtle
See Resources for Practitioners on Our Research Page
If you know of an area that needs a crossing sign or infrastructure, or you want to help, contact us! Click Here
To support our work to install ecopassages and billboards, consider a donation

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.

EBGI
EC_G&C_eng_c
Scales logo complete 2013
eco-kare_logo_stacked
county logo-med
haliburton county logo
LogoMindenEqupHighPDF (1)

Search

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • About
  • How to Help Turtles
  • Learning Resources
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Events Calendar
  • Contact

Our Partners

Join Us at Turtle Stories

Contact Turtle Guardians by calling 705-457-1222 or texting 705-854-2888

Copyright © 2025 Turtle Guardians · Email Us · Privacy Policy

Site Development by TechnicalitiesPlus Inc.

 

Loading Comments...