Our Impact
As a purpose-driven, not for profit, local business, we are committed to environmental conservation in Ontario by advocating for and protecting species and habitats at risk.
Our purpose is to support the health of Ontario’s endangered turtles by raising awareness, promoting sustainable practices, and funding critical conservation efforts in our community.
Through our collaboration with the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, 100% of net proceeds from the sale of Turtle Tracks Co. cookie mixes directly fund the active protection and rehabilitation of Ontario’s eight native turtle species, all of which are endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
A Critical Species
Freshwater turtles play a vital role in the ecosystems of Southern Ontario. As both predators and scavengers, they help maintain healthy wetlands by controlling insect and vegetation growth and cleaning up dead plants and animals. Their nesting activities also recycle nutrients between land and water. Because they are long-lived and sensitive to environmental change, turtles serve as important indicators of ecosystem health—when turtle populations decline, it’s often a sign that the broader environment is under stress.
Ontario's turtles are endangered primarily due to habitat loss, road mortality, and nest predation. Wetland drainage, shoreline development, and pollution have destroyed or fragmented much of their natural habitat. Many turtles are killed each year while crossing roads to reach nesting sites, and their eggs are often eaten by predators like raccoons and skunks, whose populations have grown with human activity. Because turtles mature slowly and reproduce late in life, even small increases in adult deaths can cause long-term population declines.
Likewise, even modest increases in rescue and rehabilitation efforts can dramatically raise the overall population of freshwater turtles, providing the necessary springboard for removing their designation as at-risk.
Check out what the Turtle Tracks Co. co-founders think below!
Ila
Grade 8
Oakville, ON
“Turtles are unfortunately too often overlooked—
I think it's because we don't see them everyday. But, they do so much for our environment. It's our responsibility now to step up and do more for them. Supporting the types of activities led by the OTCC is the best way we can do that. I'm so proud of Turtle Tracks Co. and excited for what will come next."
Taylor
Grade 7
Richmond Hill, ON
"Turtles help ecosystems so much, but they're at risk of going extinct. It's important that we help them because doing so helps the entire ecosystem."
Isabelle
Grade 10
Markham, ON
"As individuals with the capacity to contribute to our local environment and shape a more sustainable future, adopting positive efforts to protect a vulnerable species like turtles reflects our commitment to maintaining healthy ecosystems. I believe this impacts us all."
Ontario's At Risk Turtles
All eight species of turtles in Ontario are currently designated at risk.
Let's work together to turn that around!
What Do Our Donations Do?
Our donations help fund the operation of a turtle hospital that treats, rehabilitates, and safely releases injured turtles back into their natural habitat; a hatchling program that collects, incubates, hatches, and releases baby turtles into their mothers' native wetland; an education and outreach program to raise awareness about Ontario's at risk turtles; and a field research program dedicated to furthering conservation initiatives and habitat protection.
OTCC SUPPORT & FINANCIALS
Check back here for the latest information about the level of funding Turtle Tracks Co. has provided to OTCC, and our annual financial report which will be posted here for transparency.
As we are just getting started, our donations are currently at $0. Please help us change that!