We are hiring Indigenous in-the-field Turtle Protectors for nesting season. Please submit a cover letter and resume by email to: [email protected]
Indigenous in-the -field Turtle Protector Job Description:
Contribute to Turtle Conservation in Toronto by:
* monitoring roads surrounding parks for turtles and helping them cross in the direction of travel
* scouting Toronto Parks for nesting mamas and supporting them by helping park visitors stay two car lengths away
* placing nest protectors over successful nests and recording data
* engaging the public
We are looking for folks who:
* are willing and able to work long hours - turtle nesting season is short and intense
* are willing to work in all kinds of weather (rain and heat - definitely not lightening though!!)
* are willing and able to travel to different Toronto Parks based on need
* are willing and able to start some shifts as early at 6:00 am
* are willing and able to engage Toronto Park visitors with some turtle facts
Compensation: $19/hour, 280 hours, total contract $5320, start date ideally May 25, end date, ideally July 15.
Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected] by May 21 at 11:59 pm. Interviews will happen on a rolling basis so apply as soon as you can!
Miigwetch!!! #indigenoustoronto #TorontoWildlife #OntarioTurtles #donvalleybrickworks #Humberto #humberbaypark #turtleisland #annishinaabe #indigenouswaysofknowing #freshwaterturtle #turtleconservation #indigenousstewardship #highparkto #torontoparks
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from @yorkhumberhs know that building nest protectors for turtle nests in Toronto Parks is a tangible way to contribute to turtle conservation. They remind us that there are so many ways to be turtle protectors.
If you have woodworking skills or are a woodworking teacher and are willing to build us nest protectors please send us an email: [email protected], subject: Nest Protectors, and we can arrange to have the supplies delivered to you.
@ontarioturtlecc has building instructions on their website:
https://ontarioturtle.ca/get-involved/turtle-nests-and-nest-protection/
Less than 1% of all eggs laid will make it to adulthood. Nest protectors improves those odds.
A whole hearted miigwetch to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students from @yorkhumberhs for building us 5 nest protectors, to your teacher Nicci for having the idea and to the woodworking teacher for seeing it through. You show that we can all be turtle protectors #TDSB #OntarioTurtles #turtle #indigenoustoronto #volunteertoronto #OntarioTurtles #TorontoWildlife #TurtleConservation
Nesting season is almost here (late May to mid-July)! We need more volunteers so that we can protect adult turtles while they nest and navigate parks and roads. We are especially looking for volunteers in the following parks:
Biidaasige
Colonel Sam Smith
Don Valley Brick Works
Etienne Brule/King's Mill
Humber Bay
Smythe
Woodbine
If you are interested join our info sessions on May 11 or May 14
To learn more visit:
/events
More volunteers means that we can protect more turtles. #volunteertoronto #torontoparks #colonelsamsmithpark #evergreenbrickworks #humberbaytoronto #ontarioturtles #turtleprotectors
Find us today, May 5, from 12:30 - 3:30 PM at Don Valley Brick Works Park. We'll be animating the turtle population study being conducted by York University under the supervision of Dr. Suzanne MacDonald.
Stop by to learn more about turtles, the threats they face and how you can become a turtle protector.
We requested this study for two reasons:
1) We want to know who lives in Toronto Parks waters and in what numbers so that we best advocate for them
2) 10 years from now when the study is repeated, we'l learn how our conservation efforts are impacting the population
All turtles captured are given a health check, then they are weighed and measured, and finally they are notched and released. So far the health checks have found fishing hooks in two turtles who were transported to @torontowildlifecentre to receive care.
Miigwetch to City of Toronto Animal Services & MITACS for funding the population study and to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for supporting our animation! #ontarioturtles #evergreenbrickworks #donvalleybrickworkspark #brickworkspark #torontowildlife #turtleprotectors
Look down for Painted Turtle hatchlings! They have been underground for 11 months! These photos show you all the steps it takes for them to get to this moment.
If you're curious about what life is like for hatchlings who decide to overwinter in the nest, check out this short video.
/watch?v=Fp76wKRJFs4
If you want to learn more about our work, please listen to this piece created by Hadyn Watters and featured on CBC Metro Morning.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-39-metro-morning/clip/16210492-protecting-tiny-turtles-high-park #ontarioturtles #turtleprotectors #highparkcherryblossoms #torontoparks #torontowildlife #indigenoustoronto
This is truly a remarkable story - please read it and share it with a friend - it may save turtle lives. It speaks to turtles' remarkable ability to sustain life in situations where other living beings could not.
On April 14, we received a call from a homeowner whose backyard borders Grenadier Pond. Knowing that we ask people to call us about sick, injured or deceased turtles , they called to let us know that they had found a deceased turtle (they found turtle in this position). We always share that only a veterinarian can determine if a turtle is deceased using a device called a Doppler but when we arrived on scene, turtle was unmoving, turtle had been in the same position for 24 hours, and turtle did not move or make a sound when we placed them right side up in our bin so we were sure that this turtle was dead.
We received the call in the evening so @toronto_animal_services was closed. Assuming turtle was dead, we placed the bin in a cellar and brought them to Toronto Animal Services the next day, April 15. The very observant Veterinarian Technician at Toronto Animal Services said that they heard turtle make a sound when they moved the bin into the back. Given that Animal Services didn't have a Doppler they recommended that we transport turtle to @torontowildlifecentre just to be sure.
When Turtle arrived at Toronto Wildlife Centre, they appeared dead even to their very trained eyes but to be sure they placed turtle on a heating pad overnight. You see when turtles are injured they lower their heart rate - their heart can beat as little as 1 beat per 10 minute so without being warmed up it's possible that a Veterinarian might use the Doppler and miss the beat. Once warmed, their heart beats faster. On April 16, after being warmed up overnight, turtle had a heartbeat!!!!!
To be clear - turtle was determined alive after being considered dead for 48 hours.
Currently they are receiving care at Toronto Wildlife Centre.
Miigwetch to homeowner, Toronto Animal Services and Toronto Wildlife Centre. Together you gave this turtle a chance and every turtle is so important.
#torontowildlife #ontarioturtles #torontoanimalservices #torontoparks
Join us today in High Park!
We're selling t-shirts before the parade (Adult Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL and XXXL) - $30 - EXACT CASH or e-transfer
Umbrellas make great turtle puppets!
The weather forecast for our annual "Turtles on the Move Parade" looks a little damp but in a way that is just perfect. After all, turtles love nesting and hatching in the rain. The wet earth makes for easier digging.
So please join us:
Turtles on the Move Parade
Saturday April 25, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 pm in High Park (we're meeting by the main entrance on Bloor & High Park Avenue)
Dress for the weather!!!!!
And if you can bring a homemade turtle puppet (umbrellas make great turtle puppets - they look like shells and will protect you from the rain)
Our goal is to have hundreds of turtle puppets in the air to show the world what is happening all over Ontario. So please come and bring a friend!
The parade will feature puppets from @clay.paper.theatre , @redpepperspectacle , @shadowlandtheatre and @sunravenarts . Music from Indigenous Singers and Drummers and @maracatumaraberto .
Miigwetch to @deandrouillardphoto for capturing and sharing these images from our 2025 parade!!!!!
#EarthDay2026 #ontarioturtles #torontowalks #torontofamilyevents #torontoparades #indigenoustoronto #turtleprotectors #torontowildlife #turtlesonroads #FreshwaterTurtles #freshwaterturtles
5 days until our Turtles on the Move Parade, Saturday April 25.
Through the parade we want to story what is happening all over Ontario - turtles are on the move, they are on roads and they need our help.
If you see a turtle on a road, if it is safe for you, help them cross in the direction they are travelling by picking them up in between their front and back feet and holding them as tightly as you would your favourite sandwich. Set them down gently on the opposite side and wish them well.
Here's a video to show what this looks like in action:
/watch?v=RbS9RgpO-Qo
We humans have built roads close to water so we have a responsibility to help turtles cross them.
It isn't just good for turtles, it's good for us - we need turtles. Turtles keep wetlands and water clean by consuming dead matter and by spreading seeds.
Please bring a puppet and/or a sign with words of encouragement for Turtle. #ontarioturtles #turtleprotectors #indigenoustoronto #earthday2026 #torontowildlife #HighPark #highpark #highparktoronto #highparktoronto🍁 #torontowalks
Less than 1% of all freshwater turtle eggs laid will make it to adulthood. Protecting turtle nests with a nest protector and assisting hatchlings to water improves the odds.
For turtles, it's the adults who keep the population stable. That's why it's so important to help turtles cross roads and/or to call our hotline at 647-491-4057 if you see a sick or injured turtle in your local Toronto park or accidentally hook a turtle while fishing. If you're outside of the city, please call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000.
To learn more about turtles, join our wetland walk on Sunday April 19, 1:00 - 2:00 pm or create fabric prints with @clay.paper.theatre from 2:00-5:00 pm to take to our 3rd Annual Turtles on the Move Parade on April 25. Both events take place at Colborne Lodge Museum and are rain or shine! (Art will take place indoors if it's raining)
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/?event_id=006269ca-846f-408b-9e0c-a73f3f9bd109&event_name=Gather%20for%20Turtle%20Day%20at%20Colborne%20Lodge&calendar_date=2026-04-19T14:00:00-04:00
Miigwetch to Turtle Protector volunteer for sharing their photo! #turtleprotectors #ontarioturtles #highparktoronto #highparktoronto🍁 #torontowildlife #torontoparks #indigenoustoronto #torontowalks
The Turtles on the Move Parade is April 25 - and this Sunday we're getting ready with help from our friends @clay.paper.theatre .
Join @clay.paper.theatre and Turtle Protectors at Colborne Lodge Museum in High Park for a free fabric printing workshop, April 19, 2-5 pm. Print from blocks carved by Clay and Paper or carve your own using their tools!
Together, we'll create bunting for the parade. You can also take home fabric prints to wear or carry to the Turtles on the Move Parade on April 25.
Free! All ages welcome and encouraged!
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/?event_id=006269ca-846f-408b-9e0c-a73f3f9bd109&event_name=Gather%20for%20Turtle%20Day%20at%20Colborne%20Lodge&calendar_date=2026-04-19T14:00:00-04:00
Miigwetch to Alexandra Simpson for sharing photos with us.
#torontofreeworkshops #clayandpapertheatre #highparktoronto #highparktoronto🍁 #ontarioturtles #turtleprotectors #TorontoArt #torontoart
Life on land is dangerous for turtles. Usually the danger is cars as turtles cross roads to get to new resources, to find a mate or to lay eggs. In the case last summer, the danger was a deep crack! This large adult Snapping Turtle was trapped 4-5 feet down.
Miigwetch to David and Amelia from @manitoulinturtles who carefully helped get this turtle out and back to water! This rescue required a lot of courage as they had to reach their arms and hands down into the crack with a Snapping Turtle at the bottom.
To celebrate and create awareness about turtles' on land journeys and what we humans can do to support them, please join our 3rd Annual Turtles On The Move Parade, Saturday April 25, 2:00 - 4:00 pm in High Park and bring a puppet or signs with words of encouragement.
If you want to create something to bring to the parade please join @clay.paper.theatre this Saturday at Colborne Lodge Museum, 2:00 - 5:00 pm.
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/?event_id=006269ca-846f-408b-9e0c-a73f3f9bd109&event_name=Gather%20for%20Turtle%20Day%20at%20Colborne%20Lodge&calendar_date=2026-04-19T14:00:00-04:00 #indigenoustoronto #indigenoustoronto #ontarioturtles #torontomuseums #torontowildlife #highparktoronto #highparktoronto🍁 #torontowalks #torontoparades
