Come to Turtle Day 2025 at Elizabeth Lake this Earth Day, April 22. See newly emerged western painted turtle hatchlings and learn about their journey, as well as the efforts of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists to protect this Blue-listed, vulnerable species.
Turtle Day is hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) together with the Rocky Mountain Naturalists. This free, family event will start at 2:30 p.m. with an opening welcome by Joe Pierre. Visit from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 at Elizabeth Lake. Parking is behind Elizabeth Lake Lodge, off Wattsville Road. Please leave your dog at home.
“We’re committed to protecting this vulnerable species and sharing the message of the western painted turtle’s life cycle—from the egg, to hatching, growing, maturing, and reproducing,” said Stewart Wilson, chair of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists’ Elizabeth Lake Committee.
The nesting area at Elizabeth Lake is maintained by the Rocky Mountain Naturalists working with biologists for the Province of B.C., with funding from the FWCP. Fencing and this nesting area help stop turtles from crossing the highway to lay their eggs.
“The work of the Rocky Mountain Naturalists to provide safer nesting habitat and intervention for hatchlings is helping the FWCP conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams,” says Jen Walker-Larsen, the FWCP’s Columbia Region manager.
The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams. Turtle Day is also made possible with the support of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
For more information about Turtle Day and other projects funded by the FWCP, visit fwcp.ca/events.
