Roadside Turtle Program
Turtles play an important role to clean and maintain pond, river, and lake ecosystems, but in Ontario, our 8 turtle species are at risk of extinction. Turtles are frequently injured and killed by cars trying to cross the road, often to find a place to nest in the spring.
Slowdown in turtle crossing zones and watch for turtles crossing the road during nesting season in May and June. Also, watch for young turtles crossing the road in the late summer and early fall when hatchlings are leaving the nest.
If you see a turtle crossing a roadway and want to help it across the road, always prioritize your own safety and the safety of other drivers. Do not stop dangerously on a curve, at an intersection or hill where there is poor visibility. Only help a turtle if it is safe to do so. When helping a turtle across the road, guide it in the direction they are going.
Injured Turtles
The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC) works with volunteers to save injured turtles and eggs. OTCC has instructions on what to do if you find an injured turtle. If you want to help an injured turtle, please contact the OTCC at 704-742-5000.
We work with volunteers for Observing, Understanding, Rescuing (OUR) Turtles to report and transport turtles injured on county roads to the OTCC.
Nest Protectors
To help turtles in Lanark County, volunteers from Observing, Understanding, Rescuing (OUR) Turtles set up nest protectors along roadsides. Nest protectors prevent predators from destroying turtle nests and increase the number of surviving hatchlings. We oversee the placement of nest protectors along roadsides by OUR Turtles volunteers.
If you have turtles nesting on your property, the Canadian Wildlife Federation has instructions on how you can build your own nest protector.
For further information, email ivm@lanarkcounty.ca.
