Small Victories and a Walk for Wetlands

GRACE the oldest female snapping turtle on record in Cottage Country has not been seen in her usual places in Haliburton (where she was found each summer for over 40 years). This past winter a large portion of Grace's ancestral hibernation wetland and that of many other turtles, was filled in while turtles where hibernating, and despite that the wetland was recognized for 30 years and designated by the township as environmentally important.

WETLANDS in Haliburton had not received the standard protections and management options found across the province despite the fact that these are promised in the township’s own Official Plan, and people waited 8 months, after 100,000 signatures on a petition requested this correction.

On August 28th, the County passed a shoreline alteration bylaw which seemingly may be a form of protection for EP (Environmental Protection) zones. While this is not a direct recognition of EP zones, it sets a direction for them in lower tier municipalities.

https://www.haliburtoncounty.ca/.../Certified-True-Copy

We are grateful for small wins, and are so thankful for your support!

To stop the future losses to our dwindling environmental resources, we need your support.

1.      Show your wisdom and also your solidarity for our medicine places (wetlands) and sacred species (turtles). Please join us for a guided walk and prayer ceremony led by Indigenous elders from the Turtle Clan and esteemed Knowledge Holders including from the Sacred Water Circle, Toronto Turtle Protectors and the Toronto Zoo. Also for a brief presentation by Leora Berman, COO and founder of The Land Between charity and Turtle Guardians. Then stay for a Talking Circle event, and also to have some snacks, and receive gifts from one our sponsors, LUSH. All allies welcome. This event is child friendly. THE EVENT TAKES PLACE ON SEPT 24TH AT 11AM AT THE HALIBURTON SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS FIELD- adjacent to Grace's annual hibernation site.

2.       We will be petitioning and raising money for a sculpture to honour Grace and Wetlands to be placed in Dysart et al’s Head Lake Park (where Grace would frequent), to ensure everyone remembers her and what has happened. Stay tuned for a GoFundMe page.

Also, please stay in touch on our work to advance turtle and wetland protection by signing up for our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/drExwb