The Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles Program is in need of community donations this year due to potential issues with government funding.
UTRCA - The Southern Ontario At Risk Reptile program is in need of community funding.
The program also known as SOARR started back in 1994. Scott Gillingwater, the Species at Risk Biologist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, has been involved since day one.
"We started initially to look at declining populations of the spiny softshell turtle along the Thames River. However, since that time we have developed it into a far ranging and larger encompassing project to include a number of at risk reptiles here in Southern Ontario."
The list of at risk reptiles includes snapping turtles, spotted turtles, blanding's turtles, northern map turtles, the queen snake and the eastern hognose snake.
Almost 30-years after the program's first inception, the UTRCA is now seeing an uptick in the spiny softshell turtle population. Gillingwater says the program can do more with community donations.
"In switching from community based funding away from some of the government funding, if it is not available, allows us to plan for the future. It allows us to do the work that needs to be done instead of the work that is only prioritized by the governments at the time."
You can learn more about the program and donate online here.

Holiday Closures in Woodstock
Multiple Charges Laid to Woodstock Man
Fog Advisory Issued for Oxford
Tip Tuesday with Oxford OPP - December 2025
Holiday Waste Collection Tips from Oxford County
UPDATE: CFIA Reports 20 Illnesses Connected to Recall
UPDATE: Charges Laid in Highway Hit-and-Run
Charges Laid after Altercation in Delhi
Oxford OPP Briefs - Dec. 22nd, 2025
PJHL Recap - Dec 19th to Dec 21st
Operation Sharing to Host Christmas Day
Two Woodstonians Face Drug Trafficking Charges
One Killed in Highway 401 Crash
Charges Laid After OPP Officers Injured
PJHL Preview - Dec. 19th to Dec. 21st
WPS Release Festive RIDE Campaign Results
Online Survey Launched for Mount Elgin Park
Week Four Results for Festive RIDE Campaign
Oxford County Reminds Businesses to Register for Curbside Collection
Special Weather Statement Issued for Oxford County
Comments
Add a comment