This section is Presented This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. by HAVEN HOME HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING The event combined conservation messages with fun activities for families. Jun 01, 2026 • Last updated Jun 01, 2026 •
Sadie Bennett, 5, gets up close and personal with Bowser Jr., a tortoise and popular feature at the fifth annual Turtle Awareness Day at Lake Ontario Park on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Photo by Bill Hall /The Kingston Whig-Standard
A chilly start to the day didn’t stop crowds from showing up on Saturday as hundreds came to Lake Ontario Park for Turtles Kingston’s fifth annual Turtle Awareness Day. This free event aims to promote conservation and educate the public about one of the province’s most endangered wildlife groups.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your community.
Unlimited online access to all articles on thewhig. com. Access to subscriber-only content, including History: As We Saw It, a weekly newsletter that rips history from our archives, which span almost 190 years. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your community.
Unlimited online access to all articles on thewhig. com. Access to subscriber-only content, including History: As We Saw It, a weekly newsletter that rips history from our archives, which span almost 190 years. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.
Access more articles from thewhig. com. Get email updates from your favourite journalists.
.
.
Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors
or
Families gathered around displays and activity stations while Bowser Jr., munching on dandelions, caught steady attention from both kids and adults.
The event included story-time sessions, live music, workshops and demonstrations focused on conservation designed for public engagement.</P
Turtles Kingston executive director Tara Bauer mentioned that their aim was to make turtle conservation easy to understand while highlighting ongoing threats faced by Ontario’s native species.</P
“This is a red‑eared slider, a species we shouldn’t have here in Ontario – an invasive species for sure,” Bauer explained while pointing out one of several display models set up nearby. She noted that this species is often confused with native painted turtles but grows much larger and has been largely introduced through pet ownership.</P
“They’re released pets from stores,” she added. “People don’t often realize that they are not native. They don’t realize how big they’re going to get or how much space and care they need, and then they just let them go into the wild.”</P
The Kingston Whig-Standard’s Noon News Roundup</P
Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features.</P
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.</P
!</P
A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it please check your junk folder.”</P"<!—-” “`
