Turtles Kingston’s Programs
Educational Workshops and Presentations
Launched 2021
Turtles Kingston offers a range of educational programs from presentations and booths to workshops and Q&As. Our programs are always informational, interactive, and fun. A highlight is always our 3D printed and hand painted turtle models, who join us on all adventures. We are able to create programming for any age and ask for a donation of any size in return.
Advocacy Program
Launched 2018
The Turtles Kingston's advocacy program aims to provide a voice for the turtle citizens of Kingston when construction, maintenance, or other human activities occur near their homes. We aim to work with organizations and the city to minimize our impact on these species at risk and where possible eliminate hazardous human factors through mitigation programs, procedural changes, and policy.
Turtle Trauma Response Program
Launched 2019
The turtle trauma response program is designed to help injured turtles in Kingston and the surrounding area get to our local rehab centre, Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre. Through this program, the public are encouraged to bring injured and dead turtles they find to one of the temporary holding stations (participating vets) within Kingston, Amherstview, and Sydenham.
Turtle Nest Protection Program
Launched in 2019
The turtle nest protection program provides nest approved protectors to the public so they can take action and help turtles near their homes! Volunteers help to create our nest protectors which we sell out of Potter’s Nurseries (690 Golden Mile Rd, Kingston, ON K7M 6K6), at a reduced cost.
Turtle Nest Rescue Program
All nest extractions done under permit
Launched in 2023
The turtle nest rescue program provides information and expertise to the community with regards to turtle nest protection where nest protector boxes are not able to be placed. For the rare situation where a turtle nest cannot stay where it is located (it is at risk of being harmed by human activity), this program outlines the steps that must be taken in order to obtain the appropriate permits and individuals to rescue the nest as altering or moving a turtle nest is ILLEGAL!!!
Turtle Monitoring Program
Launched 2022
The turtle monitoring program is a continuation of monitoring and research done at our downtown Kingston study site since 2016. As part of this program, our volunteers patrol the site, recording turtle data and protecting turtle nests.
Thanks to Trailhead for supporting our efforts again! This is our 3rd eco-grant from them and will help build nest protectors for the 2026 season.
Thanks to Stephen, Brent, Anna, and Gerry for printing our new models in 2025 and to Brent, Anna, Mikey, Breanne, Maria, Katie, Patience, Erin, and Mia for bringing them to life with paint.
Thank you Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston for your support of our 2025 Turtle Awareness Day!
Thank you Kate Kittner and Craig McKenty for your continued support via the construction of nest boxes from 2021-present
Thank you Potter’s Nurseries for supporting the sale of our nest protectors 2023 - present
Thanks to Mr Odho’s class at Sydenham for making 22 nest protectors for us in 2024.
Thank you to Trinette and her family who made nest protectors out of old pallets in 2024 for us to use at our downtown Kingston monitoring site!
Thank you to Marc Atkinson and Diane Atkinson from Atkinson Home Hardware Building Centre for donating a roll of hardware cloth needed to make nest protectors in 2024.
Thank you Trailhead for a grant to purchase a realistic common snapping turtle model for our educational efforts!
Thank you to Teaching Students from Queen's University for constructing 54 nest protectors for the 2023 season.
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac for supporting our ‘I brake for turtles’ bumper sticker campaign in 2022.
Thank you Carl Hanna for your continued support via the construction of nest boxes from 2022-2023.
Thank you Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse in Kingston for donating lumber in the 2022 season!
Thank you Glen Supply for donating lumber for the construction of nest boxes in 2023.
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston for the Grant to purchase our turtle lawn signs and build more nest protectors for the 2022 season.