Group of teens get together to build turtle nest protectors as species face endangerment
In a display of environmental stewardship, a group of passionate youth in Waterloo region has taken action to protect endangered turtle species by constructing innovative turtle nest protectors.
“Well, ever since I was very young, I was in a school that was pretty nature directed, so it's kind of always been a part of my life and I think that our nature and our climate is pretty important,” said participant, Sydney Johnstone.
“We have a group of 14 to 18-year-olds here today and we've gathered them from all across the Kitchener-Waterloo area,” said Youth Leadership Specialist, Scout Skirrow. “And we're building turtle nest protectors because turtles are endangered in the KW area.”
Amid growing concerns over the decline in turtle populations due to habitat destruction and other human and animal-induced threats, the young conservationists have stepped up to make a difference in their local ecosystem. Led by a local youth program, Saturday’s event took place at the RARE Charitable ECO Centre in Cambridge. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the plight of turtles and promote active conservation efforts among youth.
“Turtles are a very important native species that we have here in Canada and all eight of the species that we have here are at risk,” said participant, Mahnur Mehdi.
“It's just four planks of wood with some mesh on top and they go right over top of a turtle nest so predators like raccoons, unleashed dogs, anything that would try and get at these animals, including humans, we just kind of protect them,” Skirrow explained.
The nest protectors are meant to create a safe environment for turtle eggs to incubate and hatch successfully.
“They’re working with our charitable organization to build turtle nest protectors and all these turtle nest protectors they're building will go into the KW area as they find nests to protect them this year,” Skirrow said. “When they are not making nests, we have leaders within our group, all 14 to 18, who have taken a special interest in turtles. So they're leading turtle specific games, turtle specific trivia, they're leading different webinars to kind of educate youth about turtles and why this is so important.”
The construction of turtle nest protectors serves as a tangible example of the importance of involving youth in conservation efforts.
“It helps connect us to like minded people and also brings hope for the future,” Mehdi said.
“I feel like it's a pretty big problem right now, and it probably should be talked about a lot more than it is,” Johnstone said.
Skirrow emphasized the importance of nurturing a sense of environmental responsibility and fostering a connection to nature from a young age.
“I've noticed a lot of climate anxiety, a lot of, you know, end of the world thoughts, thinking there's nothing that they can do, that things are the way they are and nothing's going to change. But I find that doing something small that you can go out in the community and actually see some change happening, that's giving a little bit of hope and something to work towards.”
As the turtle nest protectors are deployed across Waterloo region, they serve as a beacon of hope for the future of wildlife conservation.
“These youth are really passionate and they're what are going to mold the future for us,” Skirrow said.
For additional information on turtle nest protectors specifically in KW, you can visit RARE’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5539352.1628465336!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
DEVELOPING First responders relocated from Jasper National Park to Hinton due to wildfire activity
Vehicles and heavy equipment have been seen leaving Jasper National Park throughout Wednesday afternoon.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Biden uses Oval Office address to explain his decision to quit 2024 race, begin to shape legacy
Insisting that 'the defence of democracy is more important than any title,' U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday explained in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.