| Aug 16, 2023


Turtles Kingston is an organisation that is devoted to protecting turtles in the Southeastern Ontario region. There are 8 species of turtles in Eastern Ontario, and all of them are on the Species at Risk Ontario list, either under the heading “special concern” or “endangered”.

Turtles Kingston, which is part of a network of turtle groups across the province, promotes awareness and best practices among local residents.

Information about how to deal with injured turtles, increase the chance of survival for turtles in nests in driveways and other locations, and much more, are featured at Turtleskingston.com.

Turtles have a difficult time reproducing, with predation being a major issue, as well as habitat loss. Turtles take up to 20 years to reach maturity, and based on research in Algonquin Park, Turtles Kingston estimates that one of 1,400 turtle eggs results in a turtle that reached maturity. Which is why the loss of every adult turtle can take up to 59 years to replace through reproduction.

Turtles Kingston is also advocating to local townships for Turtle Crossing signs at locations where numbers of turtles have been seen over time.

Local municipalities have the jurisdiction to put up the signs, and for 2023 Turtles Kingston is asking residents of South Frontenac to help determine the best location for signs in the township. As a rural township with dozens of large and medium sized lakes, and lots of wetlands, South Frontenac is home to a varied population of turtles.

A form can be accessed through the Turtleskingston.com by scrolling down the page to the Road Sign banner, through a post at the Turtles Kingston Facebook Page. It asks for information about the location (nearest 911 sign or road intersection, as well as any other details about turtle sightings on or near the road.

The results will be pulled together for a presentation to the township later this year.

For further information about Turtles Kingston, go to their site or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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