08/30/2026
GNBC Turtle Release
On Sunday, August 23rd, the GNBC was proud to host its 1st Annual Turtle Release, marking an exciting milestone in the club’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of our local wildlife.
This event is the result of four years of dedicated remediation work at the club, including efforts to restore and replant native aquatic plant species. During that process, we made an exciting discovery: the adjacent property owned by OPG is also an important nesting ground for turtles.
Recognizing the importance of protecting these nesting areas, GNBC, with the help of Martine Esraelian, began working to foster and protect the turtle nests and reduce the risk of predation. Raccoons and skunks, both natural residents of the property, can pose a significant threat to turtle nests and hatchlings.
As the project progressed, it became apparent that some of the nests were already at considerable risk. Martine reached out to Sarah Ward of Niagara Turtles, who holds the necessary permits to excavate and incubate turtle eggs. With Sarah’s assistance, two vulnerable nests were carefully excavated for incubation, providing the developing turtles a controlled condition in which to hatch and be released under safe conditions.
On Sunday, members of the GNBC had the opportunity to witness the culmination of these efforts firsthand.
To commemorate the occasion, GNBC hosted an information session at the club pavilion, where interested members learned more about the turtles, their habitat, and the importance of protecting these species. Ann Yagi of 8 Trees, along with members of Niagara Wildlife at Risk (NWAR) a community group were on hand to provide education, answer questions, and assist with the successful release of the new hatchlings.
For many in attendance, seeing these tiny turtles make their way into their natural environment was a memorable experience—and a powerful reminder of the impact that a community can have when it comes together to protect the environment around us.
What began as a four-year effort to restore native aquatic vegetation has grown into something much greater: an opportunity for the GNBC community to play a meaningful role in protecting local wildlife and preserving the natural habitat we are fortunate to enjoy.
The GNBC looks forward to it’s continued partnership with Martine Esraelian in what will be a long term monitoring and research opportunity.
