Volunteer with Aurora Turtle Tias

A turtle on the grass next to a sidewalk with a sign that reads 'Protect Wildlife' and a quote about moral progress and how a nation treats its animals.

Become an On-Call Nest Sitter and Help Protect Aurora's Turtles

Every spring and summer, turtles across Aurora face significant threats while nesting. Roads, predators, construction, and human activity can destroy nests before hatchlings ever have a chance to emerge.

Aurora Turtle Tias is building a local network of trained volunteer Nest Sitters who can respond when a nesting turtle is found and help ensure her nest remains safe. Through our partnership with Turtle Guardians, volunteers receive structured conservation training and ongoing support so they can confidently assist turtles in our community.

Whether you are a student looking for volunteer hours, a nature enthusiast, a family wanting to give back, or simply someone who cares about local wildlife, your help can make a real difference.

Why Turtles Need Our Help

All eight native turtle species in Ontario are considered at risk. One of the greatest challenges they face is low survival of eggs and hatchlings. Many nests are destroyed by predators within days of being laid, while others are lost due to traffic, development, or accidental disturbance.

Turtles are incredibly slow to recover from population losses. Some species take decades to reach breeding age, meaning the loss of even a few nesting females can have long-term impacts on local populations.

By helping protect nests during the critical nesting season, volunteers directly contribute to the survival of future generations of turtles.

What Is a Nest Sitter?

Nest Sitters are trained volunteers who are "on call" during nesting season.

When a turtle is reported laying eggs in Aurora, nearby volunteers may receive a text, email, or phone call asking if they are available to assist. Volunteers help by:

  • Monitoring nesting turtles from a safe distance

  • Preventing disturbance from people, pets, or predators

  • Helping ensure the turtle can complete nesting naturally

  • Reporting observations to conservation coordinators

  • Assisting with approved nest protection measures when required

  • Helping collect valuable conservation data

Volunteers do not need to locate turtles themselves. Aurora Turtle Tias and community reports help identify nesting events, and trained volunteers are dispatched when needed.

What Training Will I Receive?

All volunteers receive free training through the Turtle Guardians volunteer program.

Training includes:

  • Turtle species identification

  • Understanding turtle behaviour

  • Recognizing nesting activity

  • Safe and ethical wildlife stewardship

  • Nest protection protocols

  • Volunteer safety procedures

  • Data collection and reporting methods

Training is available through self-guided online modules and virtual learning opportunities and can typically be completed in a few hours. No previous experience is required.

Time Commitment

The nesting season typically runs from late May through mid-July.

As a Nest Sitter:

  • You choose when you are available.

  • There is no minimum commitment.

  • You can accept or decline call-outs based on your schedule.

  • Most volunteer opportunities occur during evenings, though some may happen during daytime hours.

  • Individual call-outs can last from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the nesting activity.

Every hour helps.

Who Can Volunteer?

We welcome:

  • Adults

  • Families

  • High school students seeking volunteer hours

  • Retirees

  • Nature lovers

  • Community groups

  • Conservation-minded residents

No wildlife experience is necessary. Training and support are provided every step of the way.

What Should I Bring?

When responding to a nesting event, volunteers may wish to bring:

  • Reflective or high-visibility clothing

  • A flashlight or headlamp

  • Water and snacks

  • A folding chair

  • Insect repellent

  • Weather-appropriate clothing

  • A charged mobile phone

Additional equipment and guidance will be discussed during training.

Why Volunteer?

As a volunteer, you will:

✅ Help protect endangered wildlife

✅ Learn hands-on conservation skills

✅ Contribute to local environmental stewardship

✅ Meet other community members who care about nature

✅ Gain volunteer experience and community service hours

✅ Become part of a growing movement to protect turtles in Aurora

Most importantly, you'll know that your efforts helped give a vulnerable species a better chance at survival.

Aurora Turtle Tias Volunteer Commitment

Aurora Turtle Tias believes conservation succeeds when communities come together. Our volunteers are the eyes, ears, and hands that help protect turtles throughout Aurora and surrounding areas.

With support from Turtle Guardians' proven training framework and the dedication of local residents, we can create a safer future for turtles in our community.

Ready to Help?

Become an Aurora Turtle Tias Nest Sitter

Join our volunteer team today and be part of a community making a real difference for Ontario's turtles.