TD Friends of the Environment Foundation shells outs $30,000 grant for endangered turtles

Funding will provide critical support to Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre

TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2011 /CNW/ - Responding to a dire need for resources to treat injured and endangered turtles in Ontario, where seven out of eight turtle species are now at risk, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) has donated $30,000 to Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre. As Ontario's only dedicated turtle veterinary hospital, the centre has a growing number of turtles to support with increasingly limited resources.

"TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has supported our work to save turtles for many years now, through both grants and volunteers, said Dr. Sue Carstairs, Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre's medical director. "This $30,000 donation is a huge boost at a time when Ontario turtles need support if they are to survive and thrive."

In this record breaking year alone, the centre admitted more than 500 turtles and saved more than 1,000 turtle eggs. Female turtles are routinely run over by vehicles as they cross busy roads to reach their nesting sites. As a result, monthly costs for the centre have risen to $10,000 per month, which pays for antibiotics, veterinary supplies and equipment, x-rays and maintenance of the space. TD FEF's $30,000 grant will help the centre with its expenses through to the end of the year and allow staff and volunteers to focus on long-term strategic planning.

"It's amazing to consider that the turtles hatching today may live anywhere from 15 to 100 years. Helping Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre is part of TD FEF's long-term vision of supporting communities with their environmental, conservation, and preservation causes. I hope that the Foundation's support will encourage conservation-minded citizens to support Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre's important work," said Mary Desjardins, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation's executive director.

Individuals or organizations interested in supporting Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre can donate money online through Canadahelps.org (# 857524409RR0001), by cheque or by throwing their own fundraiser (www.kawarthaturtle.org).

About Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre:
The Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre is a non-profit, registered charity that operates a hospital for injured wild turtles. Once healed these turtles are released back into their natural habitat. KTTC also provides an outreach program to promote healthy turtle populations and stewardship. The Centre opened in 2002 and is located in Peterborough, Ontario. Visit www.kawarthaturtle.org for more information.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $55 million in funding to more than 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2010, TD FEF provided more than $3.5 million in support of 970 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.

Image with caption: "(From left to right) Representing TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Cathy Dixon, Financial Services Representative, TD Canada Trust, Clare Vassos, Branch Manager, TD Canada Trust, Diane Barclay, KTTC board member and vet technician Rebecca Withers take a closer look at Andrea, a Blandings endangered species turtle on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 in Peterborough, Ont. The foundation has increased its initial grant to a new total of $30,000 which gives Ontario's only dedicated turtle clinic much needed support. (CNW Group/TD Friends of the Environment Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111012_C3339_PHOTO_EN_4371.jpg