Visit the Turtle Hatchery at Long Point Eco-Adventures and discover how we’re working alongside the Long Point Biosphere Region to protect native turtle populations throughout the Long Point region.

Each summer, vulnerable eggs are carefully moved to our hatchery, where they are incubated and monitored until the hatchlings are ready to begin their journey back to the water.

Step behind the scenes of local turtle conservation and take part in the unforgettable experience of returning a hatchling to its natural habitat.

Your journey begins with a guided visit to the Turtle Hatchery, where you’ll meet this season’s hatchlings and learn about the work helping Ontario’s native turtles survive and thrive. From there, you’ll visit the turtle exclusion fence and travel through forest and wetland habitat as your guides share more about turtle nesting behaviour, road ecology and the Wildlife Road Watch program.

The experience culminates with a live hatchling release into either Turkey Point Marsh or Long Point. Under the guidance of the conservation team, you’ll help return a young turtle to the environment where it belongs.

100% of every tour registration is donated directly to support the Long Point Biosphere Region.

Limited to approximately 15 participants per tour. Tour availability is shown through our booking system and may change as spaces are reserved.

• Pants and rubber or rain boots are required.

• A hat, sunscreen and water are recommended.

• Guests must be able to walk through dense vegetation and across uneven, muddy terrain.

• Turkey Point releases involve travelling up and down a steep hill.

• All tours begin at Long Point Eco-Adventures, 1730 Front Road, St. Williams.

• Participants must provide their own transportation to the release location.

• Release locations are determined according to conservation needs and may be at Turkey Point Marsh or Long Point.

Working with the Long Point Biosphere Region, the seasonal conservation process includes:

• Finding vulnerable turtle nests

• Monitoring at-risk nesting sites

• Carefully moving eggs to the hatchery

• Incubating and monitoring the eggs for approximately seven to eight weeks

• Returning the hatchlings to suitable natural habitat

You don’t need to join a release tour to learn more about our turtle conservation work. Visit the Turtle Hatchery inside the Welcome Centre at Long Point Eco-Adventures to see this season’s hatchlings and discover more about the native turtle species found throughout our region.

If you see a turtle on or near a road, prioritize your own safety and avoid putting yourself in the path of traffic. Never move a turtle unless it is safe to do so, and never relocate one to a different area.

For current guidance on helping turtles, protecting nests and responding to an injured turtle, visit the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre website.

Injured turtle: Call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000
Suspected poaching: Call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry tip line at 1-877-847-7667

The Turtle Hatchery is made possible through collaboration with the Long Point Biosphere Region and the support of volunteers, donors, funders and visitors who care deeply about the future of local wildlife.

When you book a Journey to the Water experience, 100% of your registration is donated directly to support the Long Point Biosphere Region and its ongoing conservation work.