The collaborative efforts of the Saving Turtles at Risk Today (START) Project and the Conservation Action, Research, and Education about Snakes (CARES) Project have been instrumental in the conservation of species at risk in the eastern Georgian Bay region. With a primary focus on the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, these initiatives aimed at identifying and monitoring hibernation and gestation stirs faced challenges as field operations were limited due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Despite this, 377 massasauga observations were recorded, revealing a significant decline from previous years.

Field activities included the discovery of new gestation sites and surveying the only Eastern foxsnake hibernacula. Road mortality was addressed through walking surveys, relocating identified individuals out of harm’s way. Community volunteer work persisted through virtual and in-person programming, contributing to the increased protection of endangered species habitat, evidenced by documented observations of threatened and endangered species.

Notable observations included mating Massasauga rattlesnakes, Spotted turtle nest searches, hatched Eastern Musk turtle nests, and a Northern map turtle traveling 20km to nest. Proposed milestones were not only met but often exceeded for target species such as the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, Eastern Hog-nosed snake, Blanding’s turtle, and Spotted turtle. The CARES Project, focusing on road mortality, habitat loss, knowledge gaps, and persecution, worked in tandem with the START Project, encompassing field activity data collection, walking surveys, and the START project’s population estimates and nesting surveys.

Despite COVID-related limitations hindering educational programming growth, community engagement continued through a turtle hotline, volunteer outreach, and training sessions. The CARES and START projects successfully expanded, and the future plan includes launching an Eastern foxsnake radio-telemetry project to identify hibernation sites. The overarching goal remains to slow or reverse species at risk population declines through threat mitigation, habitat protection, and public education, showcasing a commitment to the preservation of these vital species.