In wildlife conservation, every success story is a testament to collective effort and dedication. Recently, we had the privilege of celebrating a significant milestone in our western painted turtle conservation efforts in BC by releasing reared turtles back into their natural habitat. What made this event particularly special was the presence and support of our generous supporters, Lafarge Aggregates, whose contributions have been instrumental in making these moments possible.

Our donors play a crucial role in our conservation efforts. Their generosity provides essential funding for veterinary care, rehabilitation facilities, research initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. By inviting donors to participate in the release event, we wanted to show our deep appreciation and give them a firsthand experience of the impact their support has on wildlife conservation. Releasing turtles with donors involved is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate conservation efforts and engage supporters in a meaningful way.

On a sunny and hot afternoon staff members from Lafarge joined wildlife biologist Andrea Gielens onsite. Before the release, we held an educational session where Andrea shared insights into turtle biology, conservation challenges, and the rearing process. It was heartening to see donors actively engage, asking questions and expressing their enthusiasm for the cause.

As the moment of release approached, there was a palpable sense of excitement. Each turtle was gently placed on the sand, its journey to freedom symbolizing resilience and hope for its species. Donors had the honor of releasing some of the turtles themselves, a gesture that underscored their role as champions of conservation.

While the release event marked a significant achievement, our work is far from over. Continued support from donors remains essential for sustaining our conservation efforts. We are committed to expanding our outreach and strengthening partnerships with local communities, to protect vulnerable wildlife habitats.

To all our donors and supporters, your commitment makes a difference. Whether through financial contributions, volunteerism, or spreading awareness, you are integral to our mission. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for turtles and other endangered species worldwide.

If you are passionate about wildlife conservation and want to make a tangible impact, we invite you to join our community of supporters by donating today. Your support enables us to rescue, rehabilitate, and release more turtles back into the wild, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity for future generations.

It great to work with companies that are able to give back to wildlife and have such enthusiasim for the work that we are able to do with their contribution!

Andrea Gielens

Lead Biologist – Fraser Valley Wetlands Wildlife

Andrea manages WPC’s captive breeding and release programs for the Oregon spotted frog and the coastal western painted turtle. Andrea has studied at-risk reptiles and amphibians in Canada and abroad, including a term at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey. Andrea also manages the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly recovery program in BC.

Andrea Gielens

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