Bell’s Turtle

First published in Stanthorpe Today, March 2026

Turtle hatchling

Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network (GBSAN) and the Ballandean Primary School have teamed up to protect the endangered Bell’s Turtle.

The 2026 Bell’s Turtle project is underway, with GBSAN having received a grant from the Nurturing Evolutionary Development Inc Assoc (NED). GBSAN and the Ballandean Primary School would like to thank NED for their support for this landmark project.

The Bell’s Turtle (Myuchelys bellii) is an endangered, short-necked freshwater turtle found only in high-elevation rivers in the New England Tablelands of NSW and Qld. The turtles face severe threats from fox predation on nests and habitat destruction. In NSW, foxes destroy 95% of nests.

The GBSAN Bell’s Turtle Project (2026) aims to protect the endangered Bell’s turtle through building collective positive action and empowering the upcoming generation. Through developing knowledge of local cultural history through curriculum input from First Nations people to addressing eco anxiety, the project will build knowledge in and involvement of the student and wider community.

A focus is on regenerative and restorative practices in practical activities and supporting the safe habitat of the turtle. Other aims are to develop relationships and understanding between all involved, while empowering students through learning in First Nations’ knowledge, habitat threats, science and the importance of community.

The first exciting activity was a whole school visit to the University of New England in Armidale NSW to see the turtles hatching. The team at the university were engaging and informative and a great day was had by all. The students all came away with new information and enthusiasm about their special turtle.

All activities are focused on building knowledge about the Bell’s turtle and its importance to the region and ecosystem. The project will build acceptance and cooperation between students, scientists, First Nation’s people, families, volunteers and the wider community. All parties are enthusiastic and motivated.

Activities planned with students include learning about weeds and plants important for the turtle with seed collection and planting along Accommodation Creek. Art projects, literature, narratives and story telling will also be included, with the students developing their video and scripting skills. The students aim to develop a short film to show to the community at the end of the project.

All activities are curriculum based and the project will be assessed on outcomes by both the school and the funding body. GBSAN is planning to work with other interested local schools in the future to include local biodiversity into their curriculum.