Turtles in Ottawa!

This is a collection (work-in-progress) of photos and videos – and some other related content – from the Turtles of Old Ottawa East and South community efforts to support the local turtles.

These efforts are primarily two-fold:

• Protect nests when they’re laid (generally in June), and,
• Help the baby turtles get to the water when they hatch (generally in September and October).

Along with this, is informal public education efforts.

Turtles OOES is primarily organized via a Facebook group, but as of last year there is also an email listserv.

Find all the relevant info at: linktr.ee/TurtlesOOES – this also links to some other turtle initiatives in Ottawa, and mini-flyers you can print to help spread the word.

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*Note: The Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club (OFNC) is presenting the Turtles OOES group an award on the evening of April 13, and thus this collection is published now even though it is incomplete. Check back for more later!

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Turtle Photos (coming soon)

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Turtle Videos

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Media Coverage

(Oct 2023) CBC Ottawa Morning “Snapping turtle babies get a helping hand” audio

(Oct 2023) The OOE Mainstreeter “Meet the baby turtle protectors of the Rideau River” article pdf

OLD (July 2009) – CBC “More snapping turtles spotted in Ottawa: residents” article
“… up to as many as 12 at a time here [Old Ottawa East] …”

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Description of the group and it’s work, from the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club, upon giving award:

2023 Conservation Award—Non-member: Turtles of Old Ottawa East and South

In recognition of an outstanding contribution by a non-member or group of non-members in the cause of natural history conservation in the Ottawa Valley.

This year the award is presented to Turtles of Old Ottawa East and South (TOOES) for their innovative work in helping to preserve and protect turtles in Ottawa.

Canada has eight species of freshwater turtles, all of which are listed as Species at Risk by the Federal Government. Experts say this makes turtles one of the most at risk groups of wildlife in Canada. While protecting critical habitat for these creatures is paramount, there are other ways to help them. Turtle nests are exceptionally vulnerable to predation, and any turtles that do survive to emerge from the nest, must then navigate their way to the nearest body of water. A daunting task for such tiny creatures.

Putting into practice the mantra of ‘thinking globally but acting locally’, in 2021 a group of residents in the Brewer Park to Brantwood Park area along the Rideau River, banded together to help the turtles. Aware that many turtle nests were being destroyed by predators in this corridor, they built nest protectors to keep eggs safe from predation. A Facebook group (now at over 900 members) linked concerned people together. With so many looking out for turtle nesting sites, word spreads swiftly and volunteers are able to quickly install nest protectors.

Once nest protectors are installed, community members routinely check on them and remove tall plants shading the nest area. Too much shade can reduce the soil temperature and keep the eggs from hatching. In late summer once nests are starting to hatch, volunteers put up signs and write chalk messages on sidewalks to alert walkers and cyclists to keep an eye out for hatchlings that may be on the move, and possibly crossing sidewalks. If hatchlings are found wandering away from the river, they are carried down to the river and released close to water. In 2023 the group installed 40 nest protectors, thus helping ensure more eggs hatch, and the hatchlings make it to water, with a fighting chance of survival. This committed group is taking care of their neighbours – only this time their neighbours are Painted and Snapping Turtles.

This engaged and committed group saw a problem, developed a solution, and is helping to preserve local Species at Risk. They are an excellent example of community conservation at work. For their dedication to protecting local turtle populations, Turtles of Old Ottawa East and South is a worthy recipient of the OFNC’s Conservation Non-Member Award for 2023.

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Our group TOOES has worked in collaboration with other efforts, including the Fletcher Wildlife Garden sub-group of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club, the National Capital Commission (who do the south/east side of the Rideau River), Agriculture Canada (who does the Arboretum), and most closely, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, whose turtle program is led by David Seburn…

Videos from CWF turtle expert David Seburn

All of these long videos have ‘chapters’, which indicate what topic is being discussed at which time in the video. This is useful both to know if you want to watch the video, and/or if you want to jump to certain segments.