NEWS RELEASE
SCALES NATURE PARK
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Scales Nature Park, an education and conservation facility focused on Canadian reptiles and amphibians, is hosting its annual TurtleFest on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TurtleFest is a celebration of turtle conservation efforts in the region, including the Saving Turtles at Risk Today (START) Project. Admission is by donation to turtle conservation.
Activities will include public releases of turtle hatchlings at a local wetland from the START project's egg incubation program, which has incubated over 10,000 eggs this year.
There will be games and crafts for kids at the Reptile Camp tent, a food tent and bake sale, research project displays and lots of "turtle talk".
"The START project is the largest project of its kind in Ontario,” says Jeff Hathaway, founder of Scales Nature Park and director of the START Project. "It has had great success at reducing turtle road mortality, identifying unknown reptile populations, protecting habitat, and boosting recruitment through our egg incubation program. We are now raising some hatchlings of rare species for two years to increase their survival rate — a process called headstarting."
During TurtleFest, turtle technicians will be on hand to show how to help turtles cross the road safely, demonstrate research techniques, explain volunteer opportunities and when to contact the START project turtle hotline.
If you spot a “rare, nesting, injured or dead” turtle in central Ontario, you can call or text the hotline at 705-955-4284 to help conservation efforts.
Be sure to come out to Scales Nature Park on Aug. 17 or 18 to see baby turtles, learn more about turtle conservation, and have a lot of fun!
It's just off Highway 11 at Oro-Medonte Line 15 South.
For more information about Scales Nature Park, visit www.scalesnaturepark.ca.
Registration is required online for arrivals at 10 a.m., 12 noon and 2 p.m., with hatchling releases at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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