That’s our motto even though we know it’s hard for turtle lovers to actually stay calm when seven of eight turtle species in Muskoka are at risk. But we love turtles so much, we’re dedicated a brand new project to helping save our turtle populations.

We’ve partnered up with a local, like-minded organization called Scales Nature Park to launch an exciting turtle conservation program in the Muskoka region; it’s called Saving Turtles At Risk Today (S.T.A.R.T.) Muskoka Turtle Project. And now we need your help!

START Muskoka Turtle Project Family Event

How would you like to mix and mingle with real live turtles? Then bring your kids and family to the START Muskoka Turtle Project Family Event. Join us Saturday August 16th from 11am till 3pm at Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill (Port Carling, Ontario) for an afternoon of interactive family fun and timely turtle education. See, touch, get photographed with and learn about Muskoka’s at-risk turtle species. Admission is free! All proceeds raised directly support the S.T.A.R.T. Muskoka Turtle Project!

Adopt-A-Turtle (symbolically of course!)

Looking for a unique way to help conserve at-risk turtles? By symbolically adopting a turtle, you will help ensure that the S.T.A.R.T. team continues to have enough resources and equipment to continue its great work conserving at-risk turtles in Muskoka. Each adoption includes a customized kit, turtle shirt, complimentary copy of Marissa Stapley’s latest novel, Mating For Life and a full update we’ll send to you next summer to let you know how your turtle is doing! Your adoption also includes a tax receipt. Adopt-a-Turtle and expand your family!

How your donation will make a difference

Did you know that seven of the eight turtles found in Ontario are at-risk? S.T.A.R.T. Muskoka Turtle Project targets a variety of turtle species in Muskoka; painted, snapping, Blanding’s, map, musk and spotted, with a particular focus on the Blanding’s and spotted turtle. These little guys, especially the Blanding’s turtle, are largely affected by habitat loss and road mortality. What’s worse is that female turtles need to lay eggs for decades to successfully produce the next generation; when a female turtle is killed the next generation is greatly affected. A bad deal for these little guys! But our START team has been hard at work in the field conducting much needed research and conservation!