Art of the Turtle 2010 Raises $13K!

Thank you EVERYONE for making The Art of the Turtle a huge success! With our move to a new location last May, the past year has been a time of rapid growth for our small charity. This growth has brought many challenges, but also opened up even more wonderful opportunities.

Along with many other firsts, this year saw us hold our first gala fundraiser. Our committee and volunteers were both excited and a little nervous to be working on such large event. But the enthusiasm and dedication of our many volunteers, sponsors, donors, businesses - and of course the arts community - made May 14th, 2010 a night to remember. Not to mention the 200 guests who came out to show their support and bid on the artwork!

When all was said and done The Art of the Turtle raised over $13, 000 for the KTTC!!!

For media coverage and a complete list of well-deserved thanks...

We thought you might like to see some of the local media coverage of the event:
Peterborough Examiner Photo Album & Video coverage of the event from May 15th.
SNAP Peterborough snaps from their June issue.
CHEX Newswatch @ 5:30 Features KTTC & The Art of the Turtle from May 10.



Photos of the night are also being collected and posted in a flickr album. If you have photos to share please email them to Gina at volunteer@kawarthaturtle.org for us to add to the album - photographers will be credited of course.


The KTTC Board of Directors, Gala Organizing Committee & Staff would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to this AMAZING soirée!


To all the talented & inspiring artists:

Susan Adams Debra Bannister Peter Barron Jean Beettam Ruth Benns Lesley Blayney, Madame Damselfly Designs John Boorman Johannus Boots Pauline Bradshaw Linda Broere Pam Buckler Ashley Bunker Patrick Burns Elizabeth Burritt Julia Cameron Chris Carslake, Dragon's Forge Sue Carstairs Iain Carstairs Nancy Carter Susan Chow Marnie Clement Sandra Cole Burke Jo Anne Connell Northey Sue Cowan Fran Crowe Lindsay Dixon Lori Dunn Robin Eecloo Alana Farmer, Random Pretty Things Debi Fitzgerald Corin Ford Forrester Frederick Forsey Sherry Foster Lynn Gehl Wendy Gibson Heather Grant Zaria Grant-Parsons Dianne Green Yvonne Guerin Mary Harris Annamarie Hewitt Lindsay Holton Heather Home Judith Hyland Michael Hyman Debra Jackson

Don Ketcheson Corina Kiefert Chester Anna Kluwe Randy Knott Cameron Kuntz Sue LaGrandeur Terry Lamont David Lasenby Penny Little Sharon Mak Lehigh Ed & Darienne McAuley, Singing Dog Studios Terry McCue Angela McCumber Ray McGirl Kristy McLaren Ray McNiece Sue Morley Catherine Munro George Mycock Katie O’Brien Linda O’Hare “Opal” (Jennifer Elchuk) David Parson Marg Parsons Delphine Patzel Carol Peterson Sheila Potter Shawn Prins Micky Renders Anne Renouf Blake Richardson Helen Sheppard Peter Shewchuk Bronson Smith Lois Smith-Brennan Hartley Stephenson Stewart Stick Sue Sydney Christine Sydney Freddy Taylor Deb Thompson Victoria Wallace Maeda Welch Laurel Whistance-Smith Randy Woods Melissa Wotherspoon

And to the volunteers who crafted centre pieces:
Brooke Bays, Lori Dunn, Kaitlin Wilson


To our generous sponsors:

To all our hard-working volunteers:

Auctioneer: Keith Monk
Musicians: Jake Dudas; Heather Barker; Christine Annett
Art Installation Team: Rob Hood, Sue Cowan, Yvonne Guerin
Photographer: Keith Borland

To the many many volunteers whose enthusiasm and dedication made the evening a success:

Brooke Bays Amanda Bennett Rachel Bentley Danica Bowen Leslie Burritt Stephanie Burritt Shawn Caldwell Erin Clarke Lori Dunn Kylie Goode Ali Jackson Charity Justrabo Darlene Parsons

Del Patzel Steve Peterson April Poppe Gail Poppe Kara Randall Aileen Rapson Lindsay Robbins Amanda Spence Trevor Stevens Danielle Tassie Lexie White Marla Williams

To the many giving businesses who supplied refreshments for the evening:

Amsterdam Brewery for donating beer
and the following restaurants and stores for donating food:

Black Honey Brio Gusto Dreams of Beans Electric City Garden Maggie’s Garden M & M Meats Morello’s Independent

Natas Porcupine Creek Farms of Marmora Sticklings Bakery The Favourite Greek The Magic Rolling Pin The Night Kitchen

And to everyone else who helped make our first ever gala fundraiser a night to remember:

• Everyone who attended the gala to support the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre
• Our guest speaker Ontario Biodiversity Chair Jon Grant
• County Warden J. Murray Jones; Peterborough Mayor Paul Ayotte
• The Link magazine for ongoing coverage
• Electric City Garden; Pet Valu Brookdale; Pet Supply Warehouse; Cindy Woolley; Chapters for donating door prizes
• Jack-in-the-Box for donating supplies
• The Art School of Peterborough; Sue Carstairs for the loan of easels
• Titles Bookstore; Pet Supply Warehouse for selling tickets
• Moira Bloom and the library staff for all their help
• Dave Woodside of Havelock Cottage Books for printing

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,

~ KTTC Board of Directors:
Tracy McNaught, Lysa Borland, Annita Newell, Kathy Parker, Anne Trimm
~ Gala Planning Committee:
Annita Newell, Anne Trimm, Pegi Eyers, Terry Lamont, Gina Varrin, Kaitlin Wilson, Cindy Woolley
~ Sue Carstairs (KTTC Vet) & Kate Siena (KTTC Volunteer/Education Coordinator)

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Art of the Turtle is almost here!

Watch this CHEX News @ 5:30 episode from Monday, May 10 for a sneak peak at the 100 pieces of artwork that will be up for sale next Friday, May 14th, at "The Art of the Turtle".



Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time
and invite your friends on facebook!

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The Art of the Turtle May 14th

Almost 100 pieces of original artwork -- most featuring turtles -- will be auctioned on May 14 to raise money for the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre, a hospital dedicated solely to Ontario’s native turtles.

“The Art of the Turtle” event in the auditorium at the Peterborough Public Library, will celebrate World Turtle Day with an array of turtle-themed art, including paintings, sculpture, carvings, textiles and jewelry --all donated by artists from near and far.

Previewing of the art begins at 6 p.m. and the evening will feature live music, guest speakers, refreshments, a silent auction and a live auction.

“This has to be one of the most impressive collections of turtle-themed art in one place,” Annita Newell, fund-raising chair for the KTTC, said.

“The generosity of the arts community in the Peterborough area is wonderful,” she said, adding that artists from as far away as Alberta and England have also donated pieces.

The KTTC, a registered charity run by volunteers, has treated hundreds of injured turtles and released them back to the wild since it opened in 2002.

"I am donating this painting to the KTTC in the hope that it will help the turtle survive," says Freddy Taylor of Curve Lake. "The Turtle is sacred to my people."

Turtle populations are declining around the world, and Ontario is no exception. Seven of the eight native turtle species are listed as at risk; only the painted turtle is not. Roads are major threat and most of the turtles injured or killed by cars are female turtles on their way to nest.

"This turtle scene was a painting I was inspired to do in honour of the fact that my husband always stops traffic to rescue turtles on the road," said Carolyn Hughes, another contributing artist.

A multimedia array of turtle-themed art and craft will be available - oil and acrylic painting, mixed media, pen & ink, printmaking, photography, jewelery, wood carving, miniatures, greeting cards, sculpture, metal, papier mache, "painted rocks", wall hangings, and even a turtle tea cosy, plus other creative surprises!!!

Tickets ($20 for KTTC members, $30 for non members) are available at Titles Bookstore at 379 George St., Peterborough; from Anne Trimm at 705-749-2269 or Tracy McNaught at 905-640-7367; or online at www.kawarthaturtle.org.


For more information or to cover the event, please contact:
Gina Varrin: info@kawarthaturtle.org.


Here is a sampling of some of the fine art and craft by regional artists and artisans that will be in the upcoming gala "The Art of the Turtle":

"Brazillian Tortoises" Pauline Bradshaw, oil on canvas, 8X10

"Bliss" Sue Cowan, giclee print on canvas, beautifully framed, 24X36

"On the Beach" Frederick Forsey, pen and ink with watercolour, 12X20

"Shared Waters" Sherry Foster & Shawn Prints,
giclee print on canvas mounted on stretcher, 20X30

"Flight of the Sea" Sue LaGrandeur, acrylic on canvas, 8X10, with original poetry

"Turtle Spirit" Bronson Smith, acrylic on canvas, 8X10

"Dangerous Crossing" Deb Thompson, acrylic on canvas, 8X10


"Zentangled Turtle" Wendy Gibson, mixed media on canvas, 8X10

We will also have innovative and exciting work by Debi Fitzgerald, Peter Barron, Yvonne Guerin, David Parson, Nancy Carter, Terry Lamont, Blake Richardson, Lesley Blayney, Robin Eecloo, Hartley Stephenson, Victoria Wallace, Pegi Eyers, Ray McGirl, Micky Renders, Ed & Darienne McAuley (Singing Dog Studios), Corina Kiefert Chester, Judy Hyland, Helen Sheppard, Heather Grant, Randy Knott, Jo Anne Connell Northey, Penny Little, Heather Home, Lois Smith-Brennan, Christine Sydney, Debra Bannister, Cameron Kuntz, Jean Beettam, Chris Carslake (Dragon's Forge), Ruth Benns, Fran Crowe, Lynn Gehl, Michael Hyman, Malcolm Schofield, Sue LaGrandeur, Carolyn Hughes, Delphine Patzel and many, many more!!!

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Report from the Annual General Meeting

by J. Routledge

The 2010 Annual General Meeting was very successful and had a great turn-out.

There were a number of presentations including one from Tracy McNaught, updating the group on the many events and advances of 2009.

These changes included the move to our new facility and welcoming Dr. Sue Carstairs to our team, as veterinarian. Dr. Carstairs brings with her a wealth of expertise and we are thrilled to have her.

The move to our new facility on Erskine Avenue is both an opportunity and a challenge. The additional space allows us to perform more onsite treatment and facilitates an increased level of case management.

We are now faced with new expenses, however. We have never been faced with rent and utility payments and this presents a challenge in fundraising. There are also retrofits that should be made to the space so that the hospital is better able to service injured turtles. A lot of fundraising is being done through the sale of merchandise, fundraising events and through access to grant money. It is hoped that by increasing our fundraising efforts, expenses will be covered.

Dr Carstairs gave an informative and entertaining presentation detailing some of the KTTC’s turtle care highlights over the course of 2009. These highlights included the release of rehabilitated turtles to their native habitat, baby turtles being successfully hatched at the trauma centre, and a coordinated effort that resulted in a groundbreaking cataract surgery on one of our very large, very old turtles. It is hoped that, as a result of this surgery, the turtle will be able to be released back into the wild. What a great year!

Julia Phillips, Adopt-A-Pond Coordinator at the Metro Toronto Zoo, gave a presentation on her program and what they hope to achieve.

Adopt-A-Pond is a program designed to help the amphibian and turtle population. It promotes education, research, resource development and citizen science.

Programs that fall under the Adopt-A-Pond umbrella include Ontario Turtle Tally, Frogwatch Ontario, and Urban Turtle Initiative.

The mission of Adopt-A-Pond is to provide citizens “with the tools and resources necessary to create, restore, protect, and conserve wetlands and wetland biodiversity.”

Of the eight native species of turtle in Ontario, seven are at risk or are species of concern. Adopt-A-Pond encourages the public to do what they can to protect turtles, their nests and their habitat and to go to the Adopt-A-Pond website and record any turtle sightings so that a population record can be established. www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond

We also had a presentation from Little RES Q, which is a rescue organization for unwanted pet turtles. They prevent non-native turtles from being released into the wild and work hard to find homes for unwanted pets. Little RES Q also works to increase public education about turtles so that people make informed decisions when purchasing a pet.

The Red Eared Slider is the most common breed of pet turtle, in this area. It is not native to Ontario, but comes from the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico. They are sold as small babies and people often don’t realized how big they grow or how long they live (Red Eared Sliders can live up to 40 years in captivity). They are now being spotted as a feral species in the wild in Ontario.

On behalf of the board Gina Varrin recognized volunteers with five years of hard work with the KTTC under their belts. Congratulations to: Cathy Dixon, Julie Henry, Kristy Hiltz, Laurie Kryshka, Ali Jackson, Steve Peterson, Roxanne St. Martin, Brian Short, Jack Sisson, Stewart Stick, Danielle Tassie, Cindy Woolley, Sam Woolley.


At the end of the meeting, a new board was elected. The members of the new board are: Tracy McNaught (returning), Annita Newell (returning), Lysa Borland (returning), Anne Trimm (returning) and welcome to Kathy Parker who is new to the board.
Last year was very successful and we look forward to continued growth and progress through 2010!

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Turtle Blogs

The KTTC is always looking for volunteers to contribute to its newsletter and blog. This post was written by new KTTC volunteer Laura Gardner. If you are interested in writing newsletter or blog articles for the please contact us at info@kawarthaturtle.org.

Here are some other turtle blogs we've come across that focus on the preservation of freshwater or marine turtles. Many of these organizations are moving toward using social networking sites such as Facebook to further promote their cause. If you know of another turtle blog that we should list here pass please let us know!



Turtle Survival Alliance
http://www.turtlesurvival.org/blog - also on Facebook
Founded in 2001, this organization works with other groups globally on a range of turtle conservation projects, targeting the most critically endangered species. It is involved with a variety of different partners ranging from zoos, private breeders, veterinarians to turtle facilities and rescue groups.


Turtle Foundation
http://www.turtle-foundation.org/NewsWeblog/tabid/70/BlogID/12/Default.aspx - also on Facebook
Founded in 2000, this international organization works to protect sea turtles in selected countries where these turtles are at risk. This site contains three blogs: one for general news and two about news from two conservation projects in Cape Verde and Indonesia.


American Tortoise Rescue
http://www.tortoise.com - also on Facebook
Founded in 1990, the American Tortoise Rescue seeks to protect turtles and tortoises. It annually sponsors World Turtle Day, an event held on May 23. Its web site contains mostly links to external news sites but the Facebook page has been more active and up-to-date.


Asian Turtle Conservation Network
http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/library/news.htm
Active since 2003, ATCN serves primarily as a networking body for individuals and bodies working in Asia to protect turtles. Posts include news from other turtle organizations, from news outlets and even clips from other sites such as YouTube.


Seaturtle.org
http://www.seaturtle.org/blog/
This site’s main purpose is to organize information about sea turtles worldwide and make it accessible in one place. It also supports others in research and conservation.


Turtle Hospital of Florida
http://www.turtlehospital.org/blog/
The blog on this site is very active, having an archive dating back to 1999. Some of the most interesting posts show photos of individual turtle surgeries and their rehabilitation. Along the right side of the main page there is a long list by name of the hospital’s patients.


Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group
http://www.ttpg.org/ - also on Facebook
While its primary web site does not have a blog, it is worth noting that it has an active Facebook page with a lot of news and commentary relating to its activities. It is an organization that is involved primarily in captive breeding.

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World Water Day

The KTTC celebrated World Water Day at an event co-hosted by the Canadian Canoe Museum and the Lakeland Alliance.

See if you can spot our volunteers in the CHEX news footage of the event:
http://www.chextv.com/videos/Newswatch_WorldWaterDay.WMV

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KTTC is hiring!

The KTTC is very excited to announce that we are hiring!

We are looking for a hardworking, reliable, enthusiastic individual to coordinate volunteers and deliver outreach activities from our turtle rehabilitation centre in Peterborough, Ontario. The position is best suited to someone able to work independently under the direction of the board of directors, outreach coordinator, and veterinarian of record.

For the full job description and list of qualifications please visit our website:
http://kawarthaturtle.org/volunteer-coordinator-job-ad.pdf

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T-shirts & more for sale online!

The KTTC launched its online store back in December, selling calendars and bumper stickers to the holiday crowd. Since then we’ve added memberships & t-shirts – and there’s more to come so visit often!

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Sierra Club fighting for turtle habitat

Sierra Club Canada has launched acampaign to stop the Terry Fox Extension in Ottawa and save the Blanding'sTurtle.

Please visit their website for more info or to sign the petition:
http://www.sierraclub.ca/en/endangered-species/save-blandings-turtle?1085152489=1

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2009 intake season at KTTC a success thanks to partnering clinics and centres

2009 was a very exciting year for the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre (KTTC). Although we were forced to relocate at the height of turtle nesting season, we still managed to admit over 65 turtles with the help of other wildlife rehabilitators, the Riverview Park & Zoo, and a dedicated crew of volunteer "turtle taxi-ers".

Initial treatments were performed at partnering centres, including Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC), former KTTC vet Kristy Hiltz''s Sherbrook Heights Animal Hospital, Cavan Hills Vet Clinic, Ontario SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, and Bowmanville Vet Clinic. Once our new centre was ready and the patients were stabilized, the turtles were transferred back to KTTC for long term care. Many were released in the summer or autumn, but those with more serious injuries are over-wintering at the centre, ready to be released this spring.

These alliances with other wildlife rehabilitation centres were vital to the KTTC, without them we wouldn't have been able to admit any turtles this past year. But the collaboration also helped build capacity at partnering centres, giving them an opportunity to get more experience with turtle rehabilitation. One of TWC's turtles received a cataract removal from veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Joseph Wolfer, with the assistance of Dr. Carstairs (who works both at the KTTC and TWC), as well as Dr. Heather Reid, TWC’s head vet, and TWC Registered Veterinary Technician Maureen Lilley. The procedure made national news, as it was the first reported cataract surgery performed on a fresh water turtle.

(photo credit: Scott Wight, Toronto Wildlife Centre)

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Congratulations Jon Montgomery!!!

Congratulations to Jon Montgomery - the man who raced to Olypmic gold with the help of his turtle totem animal!

Skeleton team leaves no shaman stone unturned

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Spring 2010 Events

KTTC Annual General Meeting
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Riverview Park & Zoo Orientation Centre
Each year the KTTC has an annual general meeting to update its members on the activities of the past year, as well as plans for the coming year. 2009 was an eventful year for us, with a move to a new centre and a new vet we will have lots of news to share at this year's meeting. The annual general meeting is also necessary for the members vote in a board of directors, review and approve financial statements and a budget for the coming year.

See the agenda for more details, including directions to the zoo and guest speakers!

To become a member of the KTTC please purchase a membership, now available through the online store: http://www.kawarthaturtle.org/online_store.php


Earth Day Celebration: The Human Pipeline
Sunday, April 18, 2010
1:00-4:30pm
Picnic Shelter, Millbrook millpond
For more info or to register: www.socm.ca
Speak Out Cavan Monaghan is hosting an event in celebration of Earth Day. Join them to build a 12km human pipeline that will follow the route of the proposed Millbrook Water Diversion Project. Aerial shots will be taken and submitted to media. Entertainment, food and fun rain or shine. The KTTC will have a tent and information booth at the event, and will be selling KTTC t-shirts and bumper stickers.


Earth Day Celebration: Spring Nature Hike
Sunday, April 25, 2010
10am-noon
Marshland Centre, Lakefield
http://www.smithennismorelakefield.on.ca/en/townshiphall/LakefieldTrail.asp
Every spring in celebration of Earth Day, the Lakefield Trail Stewardship Committee sponsors a Spring Nature Hike along the Lakefield Trail. A local naturalist will guide hikers along the portion of the Lakefield Trail that follows the southern shores of Katchewanooka Lake and into the Image the Marsh marshland. KTTC volunteers will also be on hand to give presentations about turtles in the kawarthas and how to help conserve them. Meet at the Marshland Centre at the Lakefield Beach and start off with a back bacon breakfast. It is a free family event.


Green Expo 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
10 am until 4 pm
Evinrude Centre, Peterborough, Ontario
Admission: $5 (children under 12 free!)
http://www.greenexpo.ca/
The seventh annual Green EXPO will draw close to 100 exhibitors and and include new features that educate in an entertaining and unique way about green living.

• Green EXPO Youth Challenge that will showcase the efforts students are making to green their school or community.
  
• Local Artisans showcasing their works of art using re-using products.
• Greatly expanded Local Food area featuring farms, farmer's markets, CSA's, caterers and more.
• A wide variety of new and unique green products in the exhibit area.
• Fresh and interesting topics included in the line-up of presentations.
  

The Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre will have a booth set-up and we'd like to invite you all to come out and learn about turtles, or show your support for the centre with the purchase of a KTTC t-shirt or bumper sticker.


Art of the Turtle Gala
Friday, May 14, 2010
Peterborough Public Library
View the poster for full details.

The Art of the Turtle auction will showcase a diversity of original turtle art created by artists from near and far. A contemporary symbol of a healthy ecosystem and our Mother Earth, turtles are a universally-loved creature of the wild and the subject of many stories & myths worldwide.

Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for non-members and are availble at Titles Bookstore (379 George Street North) or online at http://www.kawarthaturtle.org/online_store.php .

Contact fundraising@kawarthaturtle.org for more information.

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Winter 2010 Events

Camp Kawartha Environment Centre Open House
2505 Pioneer Rd, Peterborough
Saturday, January 30, 2010
12:00 - 5:00pm
On Saturday January 30th Camp Kawartha along with the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre, Transition Town Peterborough & Sustainable Trent will host an Open House from 12 noon to 5 pm at the new Camp Kawartha Environment Centre. Drop by any time to take a tour of the facility, participate in fun interactive activities in and around the building or bring you own reusable cup and enjoy a hot drink in one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings.
See the flyer for more info and a map to the site.


The Tough Road for Ontario's Turtles
Presented by Gina Varrin of the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre
at Ruthven Park National Historic Site
243 Haldimand Hwy. #54, Cayuga, ON
Sunday, January 31, 2010
1:00 - 3:00pm
Ontario's turtles are dissappearing. Learn why and find out how to help.
See the poster for more info.


Discover Nature on Family Day
Celebrate Family Day with Ontario Nature and Ontario Stewardship on Monday, February 15, 2010. The KTTC will be giving a presentation in the afternoon. Come on out to learn how to identify the 8 species of turtle that occur in Ontario, the threats they face, and what you can do to help slow or reverse declines!
For more information: http://peterboroughnature.org/media/2010DiscoverNature.pdf


Lindsay Woodlot Conference
Lindsay Exhibition & Fair Grounds
Friday, February 19, 2010
The KTTC will have an information display - and t-shirts for sale - at the woodlot conference this year!


Trent CCBE Knowledge in Action Forum
Friday March 19, 2010
1:00-3:00pm
All Saints Anglican Church, 235 Rubidge St. in Peterborough
The Forum is a showcase of community-based research projects conducted by students of the Trent Centre for Community-Based Education. The KTTC is hosting two students this year - one is establishing an archive of turtle DNA, the other is researching the ethics of involving live animals in educational programming.
For more information: http://www.trentcentre.ca/programs-and-services/knowledge-in-action-forum


World Water Day
Monday March 22, 2010
11:00am- 2:30pm
Canoe Museum in the Education Room.
The theme for the event is ‘Clean Water for a Healthy Community: Caring for Water from the Watershed to Tap’. The purpose of the day is to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the many organisations working locally to protect the quality of our water. Please see the attached draft agenda for an overview of the day.


Adopt-a-Pond Turtle Workshop
Monday March 23 & 24, 2010
Toronto Zoo, Scarborough
The Adopt-A-Pond Programme at the Toronto Zoo will be hosting its biannual workshop for individuals interested in Ontario's Turtle Species at Risk. This workshop will have two primary goals, the first is to examine the current issues impacting the sustainability of turtle populations in Ontario, with topics including primary threats, life history features, and a special session on snapping turtles. The second goal of the workshop is to discuss the importance and need to relay this valuable information to the public in effective and motivating ways.
For more information or to register please visit:
http://www.torontozoo.com/AdoptAPond/turtlemgmt10.asp

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Memberships available through the KTTC Shell Shop

Looking for the perfect last-minute gift for the nature-lover in your life? How about a KTTC membership? http://kawarthaturtle.org/online_store.php#memberships


KTTC Memberships
Individual/Family $25.00
Student $15.00
Corporate $100.00

Members will receive a membership card and newsletter updating them onthe operations of the KTTC. Members also receive a vote in how thecentre is run at our Annual General Meeting each spring. Mostimportantly members will be part of a team dedicated to the conservationof these important and vulnerable species.

If you are purchasing the membership on behalf of someone else please enter their full name andmailing address under "Add special instructions to the seller" or let us know by emailing us at info@kawarthaturtle.org.

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Patient Updates 2009

Although it's been quite some time since the emergency room section of our website has been updated, we though our readers might appreciate an update on a few of our patients. Our new vet, Dr. Carstairs, has provided the following updates and photos of some of our patients.





Monster

Monster was one of the first turtles to be transferred to TWC via the KTTC taxi service this past summer. He was one of the largest turtles taken in this year, although we do have another one that is 5kg larger! He had severe wounds from being hit by a car, and was treated extensively at TWC and has since been transferred to KTTC where he will finish healing, to be released in the Spring.











Obama

This Painted Turtle suffered a fractured plastron, which is is the lower shell.










Blanding's Turtle

This Blandings turtle was brought to the Toronto Wildlife centre by another wildlife centre. Sue and the staff there repaired his very serious wounds, and he has been recovering there since. His carapace (upper shell) was fractured in several places, and he also suffered a practure of the bridge (where the upper shell and lower shell attach). He will likely stay at TWC for full recovery.



















Jaw Repair

Fractured jaws are a common injury at the KTTC. Snapping Turtles cannot pull themselves into their shell, so their only defense from predators while on land is their "snap". Unfortunately, this defense does not work against cars. This snapper was hit by a car in the Peterborough area, and was taken to the Toronto Wildlife centre, where Dr. Carstairs anesthetized him and performed surgery to repair the lower jaw that was badly broken. He recovered at TWC and then was transferred to the KTTC for further healing. Thanks to grant money received from the Shell Environmental Fund, and the TD Friends of the Environment Fund, the KTTC now has the ability to perform surgery onsite. Previously we had to rely on participating vet offices for x-rays and to perform surgery. But this fellow will get his stitches out onsite over winter!










Pinky & Jo Jo

Baby turtles are no surprise at the centre, but always a welcome and happy event. The majority of turtles hit by cars every spring are females on their way to lay their eggs. Many of them never make it to their nesting site, but do end up passing the eggs while in the care of the KTTC. Our volunteers carefully collect the eggs as they're laid, an incubate them, carefully noting which turtle each egg came from so they can be released at the right location. Sometimes, the mother turtle does not survive her injuries, as was the case with Pinky and Jo Jo's mother. HOwever, since turtles do not provide any parental care for their offspring once the eggs are laid, these hatchlings stilll have a decent chance of survival - much better than if their mother had not been brought to us for treatment.











Graham

Hopefully by spring these turtles will all be ready to go home, like this fellow who was releasede this past spring. Graham was brought in, during the summer of 2008, by the Metro Zoo. They had wired his jaw to fix a fracture. He stayed the winter at KTTC, and Dr. Carstairs removed the wire at the Toronto Wildlife Centre in spring 2009.

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Turtle Crawl Walk-a-thon a Success!

This past Saturday the 1st annual Turtle Crawl Walk-a-thon raised a grand total of $2, 237.20 for the KTTC - That’s almost enough to cover our operating expenses for the month! Congratulations to event organizer Brooke Bays for a job well done, and thanks to all who came out or made pledges to the walkers.

Congratulations to prize winners:

Top Pledge - Tracy McNaught ($750!)
Runner Up - Fletcher Boultbee ($125!)
Second Runner Up - Leslie Burritt ($85!)
Most laps - Kelsey Powell (12 laps)
Best Costume - Paul Schortemeyer



Thank you also to:
o Don on the Job of Omemee for donating a port-a-loo for the event
o The Spill for providing hot chocolate
o Trent Animal Science Club for yummy bake sale treats
(especially president Rachel’s turtle-shaped cookies!)
o Canada World Youth Volunteers who helped run the event
o SNAP and the Examiner for covering the walk



Read the Examiner article here: Boosting turtle trauma centre

“For her birthday last week, Arisa Brar, 13, asked her friends to forego gifts and instead put their money toward pledges for the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre.” Read on...
Watch a short video clip on the Examiner's Website.



Check out the photos posted on Twitpic








Visit us on flickr for more photos from the event…

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Summer/Fall 2009 Newsletter

In this issue:

Moving on to a Bigger and Better Space
We Have No Choice but to Succeed!
Turtle Taxi
Many Thanks!
Spotlight on the Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
Turtles, Citizen Science, and YOU!


Moving on to a Bigger and Better Space
By Danielle Tassie

Have you ever gone house hunting for a place that holds 70 turtles? If so, you’ll understand the daunting task that faced the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre’s board of directors this past winter and spring. After four years in a very generously donated space, it was time to move on. The existing building was needed for another business, and with a new rehabber on staff and an onsite hospital area in the works, the Turtle Centre needed to find a bigger home.
Generally quiet animals, turtles do have certain needs – like a good water supply, lots of electrical outlets (for lights and heaters) – plus a space that can accommodate surgery and other medical treatments, a kitchen area, storage, and space for volunteers. As a non-profit organization that relies on private donations, the ideal budget is cheap to free.

Board members searched long and hard for a building that met at least most of these requirements. Once it was found – a two story warehouse in Peterborough’s south end –preparations for moving began. Paul McLeod (property manager of 724 Erskine) deserves a big hand for getting our new building turtle-ready under tight timelines!

The board is grateful for the support of several indivduals who assisted with our search and securing the new facility. Doug Lytle, a commercial real estate agent with Century 21, advised us on finding an appropriate property and deciphering lease arrangements. Lawyers Tracey Henry, Ian Attridge, Roger Howson and John Bartley all offered free legal advice on our move.

We would also like to thank The Trent Severn Waterway for offering an alternate space. We were unable to take them up on their offer due to timing and space requirements. We all know how hard it can be to find enough friends & family willing to give up a weekend to help move. But when it’s time for turtles to move house, it turns out that people are more than willing to lend a hand.

Moving day was Saturday May 2nd, and over 25 people from Peterborough, Norwood, Oshawa, Toronto and everywhere in between, came out to help. From morning until well past midnight, volunteers cleaned out the old centre, moved tanks, filters, carried impossibly heavy shelving, medical supplies, and worked tirelessly on setting up turtle tanks at the new centre. It was still too early in the year to release last year’s patients, so a few lucky volunteers even got to drive containers full of Snapping, Painted, Map, and Blanding’sTurtles across town.
Moving day went so smoothly because of the help of so many volunteers – so many people willing to spend their Saturday supporting the turtles and the KTTC!

Local businesses also pitched in, and thanks go out to:
* Peterborough Automotive and Machine LTD
* Breathe Easy Duct Cleaning
* Prentice Lift Truck Inc.

Thanks are also due to Kip Parker for travelling from Toronto and, not only bringing us all a delicious lunch, working from morning to night on setting up the headstarting room for the Wood Turtle Recovery Project.

The KTTC would like to extend a huge thank you to John Burman and Scott Andersen of Burman & Fellows Group – for their generous donation of space and utlities during the past 4 years, and for their help setting up the new centre. Their generosity has made it possible for the KTTC to treat and care for so many turtles over the years.
In the midst of the move, the KTTC also proudly welcomed new license holder and veterinarian Sue Carstairs. Sue is busy setting up a hospital area in the new centre, so that more of the surgery and medical care of turtles can be done in-house, and the KTTC can increase the number of turtles that receive care at the centre each year.

The big move coincided with turtle nesting season - the Turtle Centre’s busiest time for intaking and treating injured turtles. Until everything is up and running and the new hospital area is completed, intakes have not been possible. The Turtle Centre would like to thank the wildlife rehab centres who have been increasing their intake of injured turtles (particularly the Toronto Wildlife Centre, and the Midland SPCA), and the local KTTC Turtle Taxi drivers, who have worked hard at getting local turtles further afield for surgery, and back to Peterborough for their long term care.

It is a time of upheaval, but also of great excitement and new possibilities for the Turtle Centre. A new building lease, staff and expanding programs means more costs for the KTTC. If you would like to support the centre and its work caring for injured turtles, and spreading the word about turtles in Ontario, please visit our website to become a member, or you can donate or online at www.canadahelps.org (search for Kawartha Turtle) or by mailing a cheque to KTTC c/o Riverview Park and Zoo, PO Box 4125 Peterborough ON K9J 6Z5.


We Have No Choice But to Succeed!
By Annita Newell and the dedicated volunteers of the KTTC Fundraising Committee


It’s the perennial question for charities – how do we find the funds to keep our work going?

For the KTTC, that became a more immediate and urgent question this spring when our rent-free status ended. We now face the prospect of having to find a lot of money to pay market rent for our turtle hospital and rehab centre. To put it in real terms – we were paying zero dollars for our former building; now we must find $1,600 each month for rent!

But, true to the indomitable spirit of the KTTC since its birth, we have looked at the mountain and started the climb with our eyes on the top.

In short order we have reorganized our financial goals, formed a strong, active and keen core fund-raising committee and come up with at least two dozen great ideas to raise money -- from the most modest to most ambitious.


Thank you to Michael Dumas who donated a beautiful giclee print for the KTTC to raffle. The draw was held on May 22 at the Riverview Park and Zoo. Gary Winter was the lucky winner. The raffle raised over $800 for the KTTC! Thanks to all who bought and sold tickets!

Here are a few of the projects we have undertaken:

* We raffled off a print donated by well-known area wildlife artist Michael Dumas
* We have new T-shirts for sale, designed by Lindsey Woodcock of Bowmanville High School and produced by Ricart’s of Peterborough.
* We have ordered our 2010 calendars.
* We are in the process of applying for several grants to help defray costs.
* We are embarking on a membership and donation drive, including a push for more corporate support.
* We are planning a major event for May 2010 to mark World Turtle Day.

Our fund-raising committee meets regularly to assess our progress, set goals and review our long list of fund-raising ideas. We are constantly on the alert for new and innovative ways to find funds and to give our supporters “turtle conservation value” for their money. There is ALWAYS room for more ideas; more volunteers and more public exposure.

Our members are our greatest asset and we are counting on you this year especially to help us extend our reach by doubling our membership. We have about 70 members on record. If each of those 70 people recruited one other member, we would raise enough money for one month’s rent and utilities (about $2,000). That’s a pretty good return for output, when you consider that the work is spread among 70 people – about five minutes of time and effort out of a month for each person.

A closing note: We have succeeded in keeping turtle care front and centre despite financial and logistical changes and challenges that would have stopped many organizations in their tracks. We have never lost sight of our core mandate – helping injured native turtles, and we promise we will keep that responsibility clear and consistent.

We have no choice but to succeed.


Turtle Taxi
By Gina Varrin

This spring the KTTC was faced with many challenges – as a result of moving to a new facility and taking on a new vet we had no hospital equipment on site. The timing couldn’t have been worse, because without hospital equipment we cannot provide emergency care to new patients at the centre. As turtle nesting season approached, several supporters came forward to help us come up with a solution. The Toronto Wildlife Centre and Midland Wildlife Centre both offered to intake and treat any turtles that we could get to them, and several amazing individuals and families volunteered to found the Turtle Taxi program.

As turtles were dropped off at the Riverview Park and Zoo volunteer drivers were contacted to transport the turtles to the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC). Many drivers volunteered to be on call one day a week, and several more made themselves available as back-ups. The Turtle Taxi made it possible to consistently transport turtles from Peterborough to the veterinarians at TWC in under 24 hours. This summer over 50 turtles made the trek to the TWC! Once out of critical condition they were transported back to Peterborough for long term care at the KTTC’s new facility, and will be released as soon as they have fully recovered.

Anne Trimm, the Taxi coordinator, would like to extend a great big thank you to everyone who helped make the Turtle Taxi Program a success – we couldn’t have done it without you!
* The volunteer drivers, who gave their time, energy, and fuel to transport turtles to Toronto
* Jack Sisson and the staff at the Riverview Park and Zoo for being a drop-off location (for the eighth year in a row!!!)
* Toronto Wildlife Centre for treating our patients, and the Midland Wildlife Centre for offering help in our time of need
* Annita Newell, for coordinating the taxi while Anne was on vacation
* The many concerned citizens who took the time to drop injured turtles off to us.


MANY Thanks!
By Gina Varrin

First of all, we’d like to thank our members for all your support this year. We had record attendance at our Annual General Meeting, and also received a record number of proxy voting forms from many who couldn’t make it in person. Those of you who were at the AGM provided excellent feedback regarding our finances, fundraising, and other ways we can engage members in the future. Many longtime members have begun volunteering on fundraising projects with the newly formed fundraising committee!

A special thank you from the KTTC to:
~ Our Auditor Jan Jamieson
~ Former board member Bill Cole for advice on fundraising and financial matters

Thank you Dr. Kristy Hiltz for your role in founding the centre and for years of hard work as a volunteer vet! We wish you all the best with your new practice, Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital!

Creative Contributions
Our supporters have been coming up all kinds of creative ways to raise money for the KTTC. The Nonchalants a highshool band from Oshawa raised $100 for the KTTC at a benefit concert last summer.
For more about the band visit: http://www.myspace.com/thethenonchalants


Grateful for our Grantors:
We’re pleased to announce that the KTTC has been awarded a grant for $4,975 from the Shell Environmental Fund for hospital equipment. We’ve also received a $5,000 grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Fund!



Spotlight on the Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
By Jennifer Andrews

This month the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre’s star is the Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica). As of 2002, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) had listed the Northern Map Turtle as a species of special concern. The Northern Map Turtle is also protected under Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which means that the turtle is 'protected from being hunted, trapped, held in captivity or traded without a license'. Nests are also protected from destruction, disturbance, or alteration.

Map turtles are a shy and wary species, quickly diving into the water when approached, making them difficult to spot. So how do you know if it is a map turtle? The carapace is an olive to brown tone with light yellow markings resembling canals and waterways on a map; hence it is called a map turtle. These markings are brightest on juveniles and fade as the turtles mature. The body (head, neck and legs) is a dark olive green with yellow longitudinal stripes, which may sometimes look somewhat green. Each turtle also has a yellow spot behind the eye. Male turtles reach an average carapace length of 14cm where females reach a carapace length of 25cm long.

The Northern Map Turtle can be found around the Great Lakes Basin and the St. Lawrence River in both the northeastern United States and Canada. This turtle will reach its most northern limit in the south of Ontario and in the southwest part of Quebec. Northern Map turtles prefer larger bodies of water, but can be found in lake, rivers, ponds and creeks. They prefer habitats with plenty of aquatic vegetation, muddy bottoms and slow moving currents. Since the Northern Map Turtle is nocturnal and can be slightly active at dawn and dusk, they need basking sites where they can spend most of the day sleeping. Their primary food source is mussels, but will also eat other things occasionally. Hibernation occurs, although these turtles are slow to hibernate and my be seen wandering under the ice of frozen lakes after early cold snaps, in October and finishes in April. Hibernation is a group event because breeding occurs during this period of time. During June and July females will then travel far inland to lay their clutches of 10 to 16 eggs, with hatchlings emerging in August to September.

The Northern Map Turtle’s distribution coincides with the most populated and developed areas in Ontario and Quebec. The loss of habitat and the use of the waterways for recreation are two of the most substantial threats to this species. Also, the control of water levels and flow may be flooding nesting sites and changing the environment, which these turtles have adapted to. Due to the eating habits of the Northern Map Turtle, they are very susceptible to the accumulation of heavy metals and other toxins. Finally, just like many other species of turtle, it may also be found in the wildlife trade as either food or as pets.

By having the Northern Map Turtle under ‘special concern’ by COSEWIC makes us aware of the impact that we are having on not only this species of turtle, but other species as well. By understanding this impact we can make a conscious effort to conserve what habitat these animals have left but to appreciate what amazing creatures they really are. Hopefully, we can make a difference.



Turtles, Citizen Science, and YOU!
By Peter Kowalski

What do you think of when you hear the term “Citizen Science”? The term citizen science refers to work done by volunteers, which usually don’t have formal scientific training on projects involving scientific study - often in their own backyards. Didn’t spend 4 years and $25k on a degree in Biology and still want to help out? No problem! Citizen science projects allow for anyone with drive and passion to help out.

Citizen science can involve observation, assisting in the collection of data as well as even managing data. One of the most successful and well-known citizen science projects is the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, which in its most recent addition had over 1.2 million individual breeding bird records and a total of 150,000 volunteer hours logged from people all over Ontario just like you! These records have come together to create an extremely comprehensive record of bird distributions.

A great thing about citizen science projects is that projects can engage communities to help out and learn more about their local environment, as well as science. But the positives don’t just stop there. As you could probably guess, scientific monitoring can be very expensive– paying researchers, buying equipment, vehicles and fuel costs a lot of money. With the help of citizens, scientific studies can be conducted over a long period of time and over a large area for a fraction of the cost!

There are citizen science projects in Ontario related to turtles too! Some notable projects are the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary Atlas, the Trent-Severn Waterway’s Turtle Hotline and the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Tally. All of these projects involve citizens of Ontario reporting the turtles they happen to see – while on the water, at the cottage, on the side of the road, even unfortunate road mortality is important to report.

All of these programs report their turtle sightings to the NHIC, which uses the information to create detailed distribution maps of the province's amphibians and reptiles for a project known as the Ontario Herpetofaunal Summary Atlas, much like the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, so the same sighting only needs to be reported once. However, The Trent-Severn’s Turtle Hotline sightings are also used to determine areas that could be further researched and protected along the waterway. So if the turtle you saw is on the waterway, call their hotline!

When reporting a turtle, it is best to try to identify it to the best of your ability. If you are unsure of the species, describe it in your report. It’s a good idea to include a photo whenever possible so that the species identification can be confirmed by an expert. The location is the next most important thing to report. The more specific you can get, the better (so break out that GPS!). The date and behaviour of the turtle(s) sighted is also important to report. Also, if you are specifically looking for turtles and can’t find any, it is important to know as well.

Citizen Science is an important and useful way to find out where turtle habitat is, so we can better protect and manage these areas. And best of all, it’s a lot of fun to do with family and friends!

Read more...

Turtle Crawl Walk-a-thon

Our first walk-a-thon will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 10am until noon at Nicholl's Oval in Peterborough, Ontario. Each participant will receive a token of participation and thanks from the KTTC. Light refreshments will be provided and prizes will be awarded for top pledge, most laps, and best turtle costume.

Our goal is to help raise a portion of the cost of operating the new centre and the care of our ‘turtle patients’.


Download Pledge Form & Walk-a-thon Rules now!

Contact us to preregister or if you have any questions.

Download, print, and post the event flyer!

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Turtle Videos

The KTTC now has a YouTube account to chronicle our rehabilitation effort!

Snapping Turtle sauntering around the centre

Young Map Turtles being released into the wild



Other videos of interest:

Our Incredible World Snapper Profile

Hinterland Who's Who Snapping Turtle Webisode

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Turtles In the News

Social networking sites take the green message online
Peterborough Examiner Article, Wed Oct 7 2009
Columnist from Green-Up profiles local environmental organizations using social networking to get their message out, including a mention of the KTTC Twitter account!
http://preview.tinyurl.com/green-networking

Kids for Turtles: Training future environmental leaders
Tillsonburg News, Wed Oct 7 2009
An article about the Kids for Turtle movement in other parts of the province.
http://tinyurl.com/tillsonburg-k4t

Turtles, snakes get their own eco-crossing
The Record, Wed Sep 30, 2009
A turtle tunnel is built in Cambridge Ontario.
http://tinyurl.com/camb-crossing

Turtles put Burnaby dredging plan on hold
The Province, Wed Sep 30, 2009
Dredging in Burnaby on hold due to presence of Endangered Western Painted Turtle
http://tinyurl.com/BC-dredging

Saving Turtles from the wrong side of the tracks
NPR, Sep 25, 2009
A citizen scientist builds tiny bridges to help turtles cross railroad tracks.
http://tinyurl.com/turtle-bridges

Wild T.O. : When critters collide with civilization, these professionals are there to help
The Toronto Sun, Tue Sep 8 2009
Story and video about the Toronto Wildlife Centre, who have been graciously admitting and treating our turtles all season long!
http://tinyurl.com/critter-collisions

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