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Turtle Island Conservation

Ways of Knowing Partnership
Turtle Island Conservation

Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Conservation programme partners with First Nations communities to bring together keepers of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Elders and First Nations community members to establish community needs in conservation with our partners, promote the value of TEK and awareness of traditional Aboriginal knowledge with non-Aboriginals. Language is intrinsically tied to our knowledge and is vital to reviving TEK in conserving Species at Risk and their habitats. The educational resources we produce in the language are our effort to protect an endangered language and Species at Risk through education. We hope to revitalize First Nations’ ecology through this collaboration in Species At Risk conservation and recovery planning strategies through the principles of sustainable living practiced by First Nations.

The Turtle Island Conservation Team is currently working on a number of initiatives in First Nations’ languages (Mohawk and Ojibway):
• Turtle Identifier guides - contact us for your copy
• Frog Calls of Ontario CD
• Turtle Crossing signs

Other initiatives include:
• Outreach education presentations in First Nations’ communities
• Curriculum development
• Facilitating Elder/Youth dialogue
• Monitoring programs in First Nation communities

Our focus has been traditional knowledge and science surrounding the turtle and wetland species at risk (SAR) and their habitats. Students and adults have enjoyed learning about the 13 Moons teaching which relate to the turtle’s shell, the Haudenosaunee Creation story which tells the story of how Turtle Island came to be, and teachings which indicate the symbiotic relationships these species share and the interdependence of all life on Mother Earth.

If you would like the Turtle Island Conservation team to host a classroom presentation at your school or First Nations community or would like more information about the program please contact:

Programme Coordinator, Turtle Island Conservation
turtleisland@torontozoo.ca, or 416- 392-5999.