The Huron Stewardship Council in partnership with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is bringing back the Annual Hatchling Turtle Release for the eighth year.
ABCA Healthy Watershed Technician, Hope Brock, said the format looked a little different during the pandemic so they're very happy to bring back the hatchling release in person.
Turtles have to nest on dry land, so they come out of the water and find a nice sandy, gravely area.
“Sometimes that happens to be in locations that aren't very safe or they're at risk of being destroyed, so in those scenarios we're able to collect the eggs, have the eggs incubated, now they've hatched out and it's time to release them back into the water,” said Brock.
Nests could be laid along roadsides or could have been destroyed along a trail. Brock believes they have around 200 hatchlings to release.
“These will be snapping turtles and I believe we also have a clutch of painted turtles that will be released," she said. "They're released into the Morrison Dam, the reservoir at the Conservation area. We'll release a few hatchlings every 20 minutes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.”
If you're interested in attending, you can go to 71108 Morrison Line, Exeter. This will take place rain or shine and entry is free. Other partners will be present with various displays and games. Merchandise will also be for sale.
