The project’s overarching purpose was to benefit species at risk and enhance biodiversity in the eastern Georgian Bay. It had a notable impact on three of the six target species identified by the EGBI. The initiative encompassed four key components: rehabilitation of injured at-risk turtles with subsequent release into source wetlands, egg incubation and headstarting, field studies involving radiotracking post-released Blanding’s turtles, and an educational and stewardship component. In terms of rehabilitation, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre’s hospital, the sole facility dedicated to Ontario’s native turtles and accredited by the College of Veterinarians, saw a significant increase in admissions, with 1863 injured turtles treated in 2022, surpassing the numbers from the previous year. Over 1900 turtles were successfully released back into the wild, thanks to the dedication of numerous volunteers and 17 first responders who provided care and transport.

The egg incubation and headstarting component focused on injured female turtles, incubating 7800 eggs in 2022, resulting in the successful hatching of 2800 turtles. This approach contributed to mitigating turtle mortality and provided hatchlings with a head start in life. Field studies included radio-tracking telemetry to monitor juvenile Blanding turtles, comparing those hatched in the hospital to their wild counterparts in terms of behaviour, growth, and survival. The headstarted turtles were found to be augmenting the subadult population, and population surveys for all turtle species were conducted at the study site.

Education and stewardship were emphasized as crucial elements for wetland conservation. The project engaged in a variety of educational initiatives, reaching 1700 individuals through virtual and in-person programs, and a broader outreach effort reached 10,000 individuals in 2022. Additionally, in collaboration with Parks Canada, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Network was established, facilitating knowledge-sharing among organizations involved in turtle conservation efforts. The comprehensive project demonstrated a multifaceted approach to safeguarding at-risk turtle species and promoting biodiversity in the eastern Georgian Bay region.