Become a Community Scientist

Community Science is research and informed help carried out by volunteer members of the community - like you!

We have a number of different programs available. Volunteering is possible at any age and from anywhere in North America and Beyond.

Volunteers are active from May until October.

You can volunteer as much or as little time as you'd like. All training is provided for free so you don't need any previous experience to get involved.

Gain skills and confidence helping and handling turtles

Learn about turtle biology

Work with other nature-lovers

Turtles Need Your Help

Turtles are a keystone species. They play an important role in keeping an ecosystem functioning. Turtles maintain the health of our wetlands by consuming the carcasses of dead fish and animals, which removes harmful bacteria; and they also eat plants and spread seeds to grow new fish nurseries, moose habitats and wetland areas. Turtles also have cultural and spiritual importance for some Indigenous cultures. However, all of Canada's and 3/4 of the U.S.A's and the world's turtles are endangered of becoming extinct. It can take turtles up to 60 years for a turtle to replace themself once in nature.

Without turtles - our best cleaning crews and biodiversity agents - we would not be able to enjoy nature in the ways we can today.

Volunteer Opportunities

Wetland Watchers

On Call Nest Sitters

Ages: Adults or child accompanied

Time commitment: On Call - Flexible

Turtle nesting season is usually from May to July. Here female turtles are actively laying eggs. Many mom turtles nest on road shoulders, which are dangerous for the adults, nests, and hatchlings. Nest Sitters sit with female turtles in "high risk" areas until a member of the Turtle Guardians staff can come arrive or until the mom is finished and safely escorted back to the wetland from where she came to rehydrate, which is often behind her.

Crossing Guards

Road Researchers

Needed in 2025

Science and Senior Volunteers

Ages: Adults

NOTE: these are for seasoned volunteers. In person training and a workshop is required. In person training is only available in the spring.

Minimum 8 hours a week

These positions are for serious volunteers who wish to learn more and be responsible for recovery efforts under our Wildlife Permits; measuring and weighing turtles, and for senior volunteers, excavating and incubating eggs.

Emergency Responders

Ages: Adults

Time commitment: On Call - Flexible

Turtle nesting season is usually from May to July. Here there are so many threats to turtles stemming from road mortality, but also fishing lures, and even boat strikes. Emergency responders learn about turtle biology and are dispatched to retrieve or guard turtles in distress. Sometimes responders will help transport turtles to the OTCC/hospital.

Step 1

Register for a Program.

Complete our online registration form, where you'll provide basic details about yourself and the programs you's like to participate in.

Step 2

Complete your online training.

Once registered, we will reach out with options for live-virtual training or online self-guided options. All of our self-guided training materials are offered through easy-to-use, interactive modules! It will take you about 2 hours to complete all your training. You do not need to complete all of your training in one sitting.

Step 3

Start Volunteering!

Once you have completed your training, you will receive a volunteer package with necessary high viz materials depending on which volunteer options you have chosen. Then you are ready to start helping turtles!

Ready to help save turtles?

Don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have: (705) 457-1222 and turtleguardians@gmail.com or citizenscienceTLB@gmail.com

What volunteers are saying...

The Green Herons Road Research Team in St. Catharines tell us about their volunteer experience last summer!

Wetland Watcher Carol tells us about all the wildlife she saw while monitoring a wetland last summer!

"As someone passionate about turtle conservation, I found volunteering with Turtle Guardians to be a really exciting and rewarding way to make a difference and to get outside while I'm at it! Being from Sudbury, a memory I will hold close was travelling to Halliburton and finally meeting other volunteers as well as some scaly and shelled friends at the volunteer appreciation event."

- Michaela, Road Researcher

"Volunteering with Turtle Guardians as a Road Researcher for the past few years has been a very valuable lesson in better understanding how important turtles are and how they fit into the broader ecosystem. Working with turtles also provides perspective from the turtle’s point of view on how vulnerable they are on our roads. It’s a really good feeling helping a turtle safely cross the road, and educating and bringing awareness to the greater public through Turtle Guardians is a very positive experience."

- Toby, Road Researcher

"Last Summer was my first year volunteering as a Turtle Guardian with The Land Between Charity. I participated in their Road Researcher program as well as being a Nest Sitter. I have never felt so lucky to be a part of something so beautiful. I sat with countless Snapping Turtle Mothers as they buried their eggs and almost always assisted them across the busy roadway afterwards. The training provided was both fun and exciting, I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge and hands on experience. Being able to visit the many different turtle species at their office location is absolutely incredible."

- Leah, Nest Sitter and Road Researcher