Volunteer Turtle Observers

The Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata ) is a federally listed "vulnerable species." These are the only fresh water turtles native to California and they can be found around Phoenix, Lagunitas and Alpine Lakes in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed.

Did you know?

• The Western Pond Turtle has a life span of over 40 years.
• During the winter, the turtles live in underground burrows in upland habitats.
• In late spring, the females find a nesting site away from the water and lay eggs in a shallow hole that they cover with dirt. Nests and migrating turtles are highly susceptible to predators and unsuspecting hikers and bicyclists.

MMWD has enlisted the help of volunteers to protect this vulnerable animal by monitoring habitat conditions, recording their behavior and educating the public during the spring when they are most vulnerable. Volunteers have collected valuable data on native and non-native turtles that is helping to direct the management of these species.

Our training program is offered in the early spring. If you'd like to volunteer on one of our Trail Crews or Habitat Restoration Days, which are offered throughout the year, click here for more information.

How did we do? 2010 Turtle Observer Program Results

As of June 30, the turtle observer program for 2010 has come to a close.  MMWD would like to thank our volunteers for their time and effort in helping monitor the turtles and educate the public. 

• Number of volunteers trained: 58 (half were youth)
• Percentage of participating volunteers: 50
• Number of hours volunteered: 295
• Number of monitoring visits: 87
• Number of turtles cited: 728 total; Actinemys marmorata (Western Pond Turtle) 316 (43.4%); Trachemys scripta (Red Eared Slider) 220 (30.2%); and unknown 192 (26.4%)
• Turtle behavior observed: Bullying each other; having a "face off"; mating; getting along; segregated onto separate logs.
• Other wildlife sightings by observers: Cormorants, ospreys, blue tail skinks, muskrat, bald eagle, otter and frogs.

Click here to see a wonderful poster to raise awareness about the Western Pond Turtles made by Girl Scouts Halle, Marina and Savannah from Troop 31146, Marin del Centro Association, San Francisco Bay Area Council.

Click here to see our Facebook photo album of turtle observer training and more photos of Western Pond Turtles.