Youth build turtle nest protectors to be used throughout Waterloo region

With hammers banging and drills whirring, more thana dozen youth volunteers worked to create turtlenest protectors during a recent workshop in Cambridge.

The workshop on March 23 was held by Wild Outside, a not-for-profit organization which aims to connect youth with nature.

"Many of these youth are struggling with climate anxiety. All media is telling us is bad things are happening, things that we can't control. Here we are doing something that is going to directly affect our community in a healthy way," explained Scout Skirrow, the youth leadership specialist with Wild Outside.

The protectors are simple in design, made from wood and a mesh covering.

Mahnur Mehdi, 17, attended the workshop to volunteer her time.

"I've never done anything like this before. It was my first time drilling something today and it's a fun experience and it's new," she said.

"Out of all the eight species we have in Canada, all eight species are at risk. I feel like turtles are vital to ecosystems, just like any species are. I feel like it is our job to do the best we can to protect the native species we have here."

The nest protectors will eventually be placed throughout the community to cover nests with eggs to protect them from predatorsor other threats,senior educator with the project Istafa Sufi said.

"Even with the help that we're providing the turtles, the chances of survival are one in 100, so they're very low for our turtle species," Sufi said.