As a campaign to raise funds to help protect at-risk turtles nears the halfway point, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has put out a call for more people to get involved.
To date, nearly 20 people have given to the Adopt-a-Turtle fundraiser being held by the conservation authority. Money raised will go to support habitat enhancement and protection work for eight native freshwater turtle species in the local watershed. The campaign will officially hit the halfway point on Wednesday. It will continue until September 3, the day of the annual hatchlings release at Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter.
"We are very grateful to see people caring for the future of our freshwater turtle species and for responding to this call for donations,” said Rosalind Chang, the conservation authority's healthy watersheds coordinator. “We are very pleased with the progress of this campaign but there is still lots of work left to do.”
The campaign offers three different donor tiers. The first is a "hatchling hero" a title given to anyone who donates $20, the "adopt-a-turtle status goes to those gives $50, and the third tier is the "conservation insider" for people who shell out $250 or higher. Donors who reach insider status will receive monthly emails about the turtle hatchlings progress, as well as a gift package.
Donations can be made online through the Ausable Bayfield Conservation's events page or in-person at the conservation office at 71108 Morrison Line.
