In 2019 the eastern coast of Georgian Bay was selected as a “Community Nominated Priority Place” (CNPP). During 2020, Skerryvore Community Road was deemed a priority due to the extensive culvert replacement work needed and known reptile abundance. The Biosphere team worked with the TOA, Shawanaga First Nation, Tatham Engineering Limited, and Hall’s Construction to mitigate the project impacts and improve reptile safety post-construction. Strategies include using a cobble fill instead of sand near wetlands to discourage turtle nesting there, creating new nesting zones away from the road, and removing and incubating turtle eggs. Over 1,100 turtle eggs were collected and housed until after they hatched, each turtle was safely released to their original wetland. Another significant project component has been the incorporation of Indigenous traditional knowledge into both the project as a whole and daily work through semma offerings, ceremony, and storytelling during release events.
Nearest city or town: Township of the Archipelago
Project start date: June 1, 2020
Project focus: Combination of Education, Restoration, and Monitoring
Project contact: Tianna Burke