An Environmentally Devastating Construction Project
Help us save the Fraserburg Road turtles by opposing plans to remove 1,000 feet of natural, sandy riverbank terrain and replace it with concrete matting.
This environmentally destructive proposal will eliminate a major habitat for three types of Ontario turtles: Snapping Turtles, Painted Turtles and endangered Blanding’s Turtles. All three species nest along this riverbank and the habitat is critical for their hatchlings.
Help us protect the turtles.
Meet the Turtles
Three species of Ontario turtles are known to nest along Fraserburg Road. Their hatchlings rely on this habitat for a chance to make it to maturity.
Blanding's Turtle
Also known as the smiling turtle, the Blanding's Turtle is best identified by its bright yellow throat. It is a medium-sized turtle with a dark domed shell with light spots.
International Union for Conservation of Nature: Endangered
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: Endangered
Species at Risk in Ontario: Threatened
Midland Painted Turtle
Bright yellow and red markings give the name to this North American turtle. They love to sunbathe and can often be spotted basking on top of floating logs.
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: Special Concern
Snapping Turtle
The largest freshwater turtle native to Ontario. They have a prehistoric look with their large legs and long spiky tail.
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: Special Concern
Species at Risk in Ontario: Special Concern
“Since Blanding’s Turtles are slow breeders, anything that removes breeding adults from the population has a significant effect on the species.”
Wild Preservation Canada
Who Are We?
We are a group of committed citizens, businesses and volunteer organizations partnering with Small Change Fund, a national charity, to protect the turtles and their habitat along Fraserburg Road.
We have provided years’ worth of data on the turtle nests to the province to demonstrate the importance of this location. We are also diligently spreading the word so that residents know about the threat to the turtles and the greater Muskoka ecosystem.