Volunteering to help the turtles!

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Blog, Reptiles, Turtles, Wildlife

Spring 2026: Volunteering with Grey Sauble Turtle Conservation

This spring I began volunteering with the Grey Sauble Turtle conservation group in Grey County. My role is to locate nesting turtles, record observations for research, and install nest-protector screens over the eggs. These protections help reduce predation, prevent compaction from passing vehicles, and encourage hatchlings to head toward the ditch instead of the road — giving many a much better chance of survival.

What I’ve noticed so far

  • Nesting activity tends to peak on warm, wet evenings. 
  • On stretches of road where new erosion-control technology has been installed, turtles struggle to dig through gravel and tar to reach sand — it’s heartbreaking to watch them try. 
  • Predators clearly take advantage of nesting sites; it’s not just human eyes watching. 
  • Properly placed 2 ft × 2 ft frames with a screen and spikes work well when positioned carefully, protecting eggs without blocking hatchling exit routes.
Female covering her nest

How you can help

  • Volunteer as a nest spotter and observer — more eyes mean more nests found and protected. 
  • Help build nest-protector frames; there’s a consistent need for more of them.
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Heading to the Beaver River after laying eggs on the sandy bank

For more information on volunteering opportunities and how to get or build frames, visit Grey Sauble Conservation’s website or contact their volunteer coordinator.

https://www.greysauble.on.ca/turtle-stewardship-program/

Contact the Program Coordinator: 

Chelsea Vieira: education@greysauble.on.ca

If you find an injured turtle, please contact the

Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre: 705-741-5000

or the

S.T.A.R.T Hotline: 705-955-4284