TURTLE MAMAS NAME-A-THON 2025

TURTLE MAMAS NAME-A-THON

To wrap up turtle nesting season with a little soul and a whole lot of fun, Think Turtle and Brant Zwicker, host and executive producer of the syndicated Blues radio show At The Crossroads (atcblues.ca), are teaming up for a bluesy celebration we're calling the Turtle Mamas Name-A-Thon.

From June into early July, freshwater turtles across Ontario and parts of Canada emerged from lakes, rivers, and wetlands to nest. They endured erratic weather, crossed busy roads, dealt with unforeseen challenges and predators, to lay the eggs that will give rise to a new generation. If anyone knows the Blues, it’s these determined, resilient Turtle Mamas. Against every odd, they stayed the course and got the job done.

We are genuinely honored that Brant Zwicker lent his voice and support to our 97.7 Moose FM turtle nesting awareness campaign during June. The public service announcements he recorded effectively raised awareness, encouraging people to take action and protect these remarkable creatures.

Brant, thank you! Your voice, your time, and your heart brought real impact when it mattered most. We're deeply grateful to have you as part of the Think Turtle Species Recovery Team, and even more so that you share our vision for a future where turtles and the wild places they depend on are protected, respected, and given the chance to thrive.

This collaboration is a reminder: whether it's preserving the roots of Blues music or the survival of native turtles, these efforts all come from the same place, a deep respect for heritage, for life, and for what connects us. When we stand up for these causes, we're shaping something lasting for the generations to come.

Blues Inspired Name-A-Thon

Now, let's shift gears and have some creative fun. We're inviting everyone to join our Blues-inspired Turtle Mamas Name-A-Thon! These determined, road-braving turtles deserve names with rhythm and sass. Think classic Blues, reinvent a favorite, or come up with something brand new that grooves. To kick things off, we've already named a couple: Big Nelly Nestella and Mama Bessie Odessa.

Got a name in mind? Please send it in! Email your Turtle Mama name to thinkturtle@yahoo.com anytime between Tuesday, July 15, and the close of Tuesday, July 22, 2025. If you saw a turtle nesting and she inspired your Turtle Mama Name, feel free to include a photo with your email entry. Just one photo, please. This is completely optional. Make sure to write "Turtle Mama Name" in the subject line. 

Note: If the Blues name you submit has already been submitted you will be notified and given the opportunity to submit a new name.

Brant Zwicker will select his top picks: a Favorite Name, a Second Choice, and a Special Mention. The winners will be announced on Thursday, July 24.

Let's give these Turtle Mamas names they'd be proud to carry through the bluesy backroads of life.

Submit A Name - Support Turtles - Prizes To Be Won

To the creators of the three Blues inspired Turtle Mamas Names  selected, we will send you a thank-you gift as a token of our appreciation. These will include …

Favorite Name: The creator of the selected Favorite Turtle Mama Name will receive a Think Turtle t-shirt, an At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) t-shirt and a Watch 4 Turtles car magnet.

Second Choice: The creator of the Second Choice Turtle Mama Name will receive a Think Turtle t-shirt, an At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) toque and a Watch 4 Turtles car magnet.

Special Mention: The creator of the Turtle Mama Name selected as the special mention will receive their choice of a Think Turtle t-shirt, or a At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) t-shirt or toque and we will send them a Watch 4 Turtles car magnet.

For more information about Think Turtle Conservation Initiative and to view t-shirts, 

visit our website at https://thinkturtle.ca/contests.

For more information about At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) , visit their website at https://www.atcblues.ca.

Submit A Blues inspired Turtle Name Name And Help Turtles

For every Turtle Mama Name submitted up to “100,” a Friend of the Turtles has offered to donate $1 to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), home of Ontario’s Turtle Hospital, to help treat and care for injured turtles admitted this season. Over “1,500” injured turtles have been admitted to the turtle hospital this year so far. Ninety percent are the result of motor vehicle strikes. Your participation in this contest directly contributes to the conservation of this precious species. For more information about the turtle hospital, visit their website at ontarioturtle.ca.

This is not just about naming Turtle Mamas; it’s about having a blast while contributing to a great cause. So, let your imagination run wild and come up with the most unique and Bluesy names for the Turtle Mamas. It’s a fun and creative way to make a difference, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

The Contest Rules

1 – Contest Eligibility: The contest is open to adults and youth of all ages residing in Canada. No entry fee or purchase is required—one name entry per person.

Note: Representatives, and agents of Think Turtle Conservation Initiative and ATC Blues, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling) and persons living in the same household (whether related or not) are not eligible to enter or win.

2 – How to Enter: You can share your Bluesy Turtle Mama Name on the Facebook post as a fun share, but your contest entry must be e-mailed to Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at thinkturtle@yahoo.com with "Turtle Mama Name" in the subject line. This will ensure no names get missed. Be sure to include your name and location with the submission. Note: All contact information sent to Think Turtle by contest participants will be kept private and not shared. The selected contest winners can choose whether their name will be published.

If you saw a turtle nesting and she inspired your Turtle Mama Name, feel free to include a photo with your email entry. Just one photo, please. This is completely optional. 

Note: If the Blues name you submit has already been submitted you will be notified and given the opportunity to submit a new name.

3 – Contest Entry Deadline: Your Blues inspired Turtle Mama Name contest entry must be received by Think Turtle by Tuesday, July 22, at 11:59 PM.

4 – Judging: Brant Zwicker will review all the submitted Turtle Mama Names and select the ones that he feels best represent the spirit of the contest. The chosen names will be announced via e-mail to the contest participants and on Facebook, Thursday, July 24, 2025.

5 – Prizes: One Blues inspired Turtle Mama Name will be selected as a Favorite, Second Choice, and Special Mention. The prizes are as follows:

Favorite Name: The creator of the selected Favorite Name will receive a Think Turtle t-shirt and an At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) t-shirt.

Second Choice: The creator of the Second Choice will receive a Think Turtle t-shirt and an At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) toque.

Special Mention: The creator of the Turtle Mama Name selected as the special mention will receive their choice of a Think Turtle t-shirt, or a At The Crossroads (ATC Blues) t-shirt or toque and we will send them a Watch 4 Turtles car magnet.

Each prize winner chosen must answer a skill testing question. Don’t sweat this even for a second; it’s easy, peasy. We promise. Think Turtle Conservation Initiative will contact the winners to arrange the delivery of their prizes.

6 – Contest Results: The selected Favorite, Second Choice, and Bluesy Turtle Mama Name that deserves a Special Mention will be posted on Facebook on Thursday, July 24.

Contest Details

Note: This contest is in accordance with the Competition Bureau Canada, Promotional Contests Section 74.06 of the Competition Act, Enforcement guidelines, October 16, 2009.

Approximate Prize Value: Favorite ($60), Second Choice ($55) and Special Mention ($30).

Regional Allocation: Canada

Chances of Winning: This depends on the number of Bluesy hatchling names received.

Series of Prizes: N/A, Early Bird Prizes: N/A, Disclosure at Point of Sale: N/A

Note: This contest is hosted by Think Turtle Conservation Initiative and is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Facebook.

Have some fun, win a prize, and show a little love for turtles while you're at it. The Turtle Mamas are counting on your creativity! Help us spread the word. And to everyone planning to take part—thank you for joining us in celebrating Turtle Nesting Season 2025 and for standing up for species at risk.

PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST 2024 (RESULTS)

We received 34 fantastic contest entries from across Ontario. Each was a unique work of art, making it challenging for the judges to select their favorites. After much debate, the results are in. 

Thank you to everyone who submitted a contest entry, our friends who shared word of the contest, and the esteemed panel of judges who helped out. You all contributed to making the contest a rousing success and so much fun.

Although we could only choose a few winners, every submission added a creative spark to this contest and contributed to its incredible success. Your creativity and unique perspective left a lasting impression on us, and we sincerely hope you enjoyed the experience. Your contribution was significant and greatly appreciated.

The following is a gallery of the carved pumpkin contest submissions received and the judges selected favorites.

Thank you so much for joining us for a fun way to close out turtle season 2024.