Get Involved

Turtle Month is November each year and it is the time that you are most likely to see turtles at your local wetlands, urban parks and on roads. 

Mid-Spring to early Summer is the time that most Australian Turtles emerge from the water to nest. They construct their nests on land but they are at risk from fox predation and road death as they walk across land.

This is the time of year where we need everybody to report where they see a turtle or nest - alive or dead- using the TurtleSAT APP. Please also watch out for Turtle Workshops (online and Face 2 Face), as well as attend the Citizen Science Training Hub at the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast of NSW.

The Citizen Science Training Hub is a unique experience that we are creating at the Australian Reptile Park, with our partner Aussie Ark. 

The Hub is located at the Turtle Ark where captive breeding of some of Australia's most threatened species is occurring. In the central part of the facility are large open ponds where Hunter River Short-Necked Turtles can be observed displaying natural behaviours.

It is these ponds where your training will take place.

Here you will learn how to observe turtles and record your sightings into TurtleSAT. You will also see on display some of the on ground initiatives that are part of the 1 Million Turtles program, as well as get tips from experts.

 Don't live near the Central Coast of NSW? Don't worry. Webcams are placed throughout the turtles ponds, which will provide online training, as well as allow anyone to view the turtles 24/7.

Check out our on-ground turtle conservation initiatives that we are creating throughout the country. 

From nest protector creation/deployment, or nesting ground protection fencing or Turtle Island creation, we are working with community groups and schools to create community based conservation solutions. Check out our Community Conservation Initiatives page and contact us to put you in touch with a local community group involved in the 

program

Turtles in the Classroom is exactly that...... Turtles in the classroom.

Many schools have pet animals in the classroom, but we are aiming to take it to the next level. The Turtles in the Classroom program will be a model program in training and conservation. 

Aiming at year 5/6, students will learn all about turtle biology, husbandry and ecology. The will receive an accredited certificate and digital badge from Western Sydney University and Foundations for National Parks and Wildlife - starting their CVs and a path to a career in the environment and sustainability. 

Schools will also lead community conservation initiatives in their local area.

In 2022, the Turtles in the Classroom will be piloted in a small number of schools throughout the country, but please contact us if your school is interested in becoming part of the program in 2023. 

We are supporting schools to drive on ground initiatives around their local wetlands, so please check the On Ground Community Conservation page or contact us for more information

The Fauna Road Management System is an initiative to automatically record turtle sightings on roads using an app and dashcam footage. 

In collaboration with Transport for NSW, trials have begun in Western Sydney to develop Artificial Intelligence technology to identify and record turtles that are injured or killed, as well as any turtles about to enter busy roads or highway. 

The technology could then alert wildlife carers or road crews to collect turtles, but also be used to identify road kill hotspots to implement mitigation strategies. 

We are aiming for this technology to be available in 2023/2024, but will be asking for the 1 Million Turtles community to trial it in 2022. Please keep monitoring the Fauna Road Management System page for updates.