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Turtle Hatchery at Long Point Eco-Adventures

Turtle Hatchery 2026

Working Together to Protect Local At-Risk Turtles

Celebrate Nature and Protect At-Risk Ontario Turtles

Working with Long Point Biosphere Region to protect local wildlife, specifically at-risk turtle species in Ontario, is an important cause to our team.

Come onsite and visit our turtle hatchery to learn more about these incredibly resilient animals. Join us along our journey as we:

  • Find vulnerable turtle nests

  • Patrol at-risk turtle nesting sites
  • Excavate the turtle eggs and move them to our hatchery in June
  • Incubate and monitor the eggs for 7-8 weeks
  • And then...

The hatching and turtle release in August & September! 

Stay tuned for more updates on our social media and our website.

 

PXL_20250709_blandings eggs 2

Turtle Tips

If you're nearby or in your vehicle when assisting turtles, turn on your hazard lights to indicate your presence.

Wear a high-visibility vest or t-shirt when possible.

Indicate the presence of the turtle(s) to passing motorists safely.

 

Question: What do I do if I find a nesting turtle?

 

Stay as far away from the nesting turtle as possible. When threatened, a nesting turtle might get spooked, leave the sight, and stop laying eggs.

Turtles that don't lay their eggs can become egg bound, which can be life threatening.

In the case of an abandoned nest where the turtle has been spooked off, experts recommend covering the nest cavity if it's left open. Use a nesting box to protect the nest; this will help to mask the smell and prevent predators from finding the nest.

For nesting boxes, it's best to place it centred over the nest as to avoid puncturing the nest cavity. Learn more about nesting boxes on Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre's website.

 

Question: How do I help a turtle on the road?

 

If you see a turtle on a road or roadside actively heading across the road, you can pick them up and move them across in the direction they are heading. Do not reorient the turtle the opposite way it is heading, this puts the turtle at greater risk.

To safely pick up a turtle, place your hands gently on either side of the shell (this does not apply to snapping turtles) and keep them level as you lift them.

For snapping turtles, you can coax them across the road using a shovel or a board. If you must pick up the snapping turtle, it's best practice to come from behind and slide your dominate hand under them from under the tail and lift like you're holding a pizza box.

NOTE: If a nesting turtle is seen on the roadside and she has finished nesting, it's very important to wait to see where she is headed before assuming she wants to cross the road. Nesting turtles are likely to be disoriented and tired, so proceed with caution. She might be making a wide turn, not crossing the road!

 

Question: What do I do if I find an injured turtle?

 

Please call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000, they have a network of volunteers that can taxi an injured turtle directly to them.

 

For any poaching concerns, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Tip Line at 1-877-847-7667. 

northern map turtle hatching

 

Contact Us
If you have questions regarding the turtle hatchery, please use one of the options below to contact us. 

1-877-743-8687
info@lpfun.ca

1730 Front Rd. St. Williams ON, N0E 1P0

 

Every single year, volunteers, donors, and funders make this work possible. Thank you for your continued support!