A young girl enamoured with a turtle
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority’s 8th annual hatchling turtle release was a bustle of activity on Thursday afternoon with hundreds of kids and families turning up to give the hatchling turtles their send off.
The event was well attended by children – with it being the last week before school. Eight year old Cameron Perry said that the highlight for him was getting up close and personal with the turtles,
He said he had lots of good questions for conservationists about snapping turtles, and he learned a lot about them,
The hatchling turtles were set free at Morrison Dam
His Mom brought him down from Tilsonburg for the release, she says that they have a turtle festival up that way, but there isn’t any turtle release in their area, so she brought her kids down to see the turtles themselves.
Members of various groups including Pinery Provincial Park, Huron Stewardship Council, and more were present at the event, educating children about conservation through activities, crafts, and demonstrations.
Hope Brock, Healthy Watersheds Technician with the ABCA said that the event is collaborative in nature,
Brock says that turtles are a great way to educate young people about preserving natural areas,
Brock speaks to excited kids about turtles
The event was definitely a success, and Brock says that they hope to continue that success into next year. Turtle conservation season may be mostly behind us, but it’s important to maintain healthy wetlands all year long to give them good places to live. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority is always working toward that goal – if you’re interested in helping them out, head to abca.ca
Written by: B. Shakyaver
