Do you love turtles? Did you know the San Diego River Watershed has only one native turtle?

It is the Southwestern pond turtle.
Donate $10 or more to support vital Spring Research

Sadly, the Southwestern pond turtle is at risk. But we can do something about it!

 

Join efforts to locate these turtles and document the conditions they live in.

Your gift today will support this important research in the upper reaches of the watershed.

Turtles play a key role in an ecosystem. The San Diego River only has one native turtle, the Southwestern pond turtle. Their name is misleading as they often live in rivers and creeks. They also spend time in terrestrial habitats.

 

Sadly, studies have documented these turtles are in an "alarming" decline.

One of the principal causes is the destruction and loss of riparian habitat. Another one is drought..

Our Turtle Watch program looks for these turtles and records their location. Turtle Watch also documents the condition of the land and water they live in. We target areas that no one else is surveying to fill in gaps in our knowledge. This data informs our land acquisition and conservation efforts. It is also shared with other pond turtle researchers. We will look for newts, toads, & other critters, too.

Just $3000 is needed to conduct our Spring Surveys. Funds need to be raised by 4/30/2024 so that surveys can be done while the water is still cool.

Your gift of $10, $20 or more can really make the difference. Thank you!

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Donate Today for Turtle Watch!

 

Give $10 or More
Become a Friend of Turtles

 

Give $100 or More (or $8 per month)
Become a Turtle Hero

Turtle Hero Benefits:

• Receive a Turtle Hero Certificate
• Receive Turtle Fact Sheet
• Receive Turtle Watch Findings Report
• Be invited to a Turtle Watch Outing (no guarantees to see these elusive critters)..
  
  Donate using PayPal
  
  

Monthly gift: simply select that option after clicking the "Donate" button.

OTHER DONATION METHODS:

• By mail, print this form (PDF) and mail with a check to
• The San Diego River Park Foundation
  
  
• By phone with credit card
  call 619-297-7380 M - F 9AM - 2PM
  
  
• Venmo @sandiegoriver and indicate Turtle Watch

 

Turtle Hero: your turtle certificate and fact sheet will be emailed to you.
These also make great gifts for the turtle lover!
If you prefer, we can mail the certificate to you or a gift recipient.

 

2024 Objective: Conduct turtle survey on 4 tributaries of the river and share this data with other turtle researchers. Use this data to inform land acquisition efforts and targeted restoration projects.

BACKGROUND:

• California Species of Special Concern
• Adjacent uplands are vital for overwintering and estivation
• Most nests are within 50 feet of water
• 2 subspecies are recognized
• Studies have suggested that these pond turtles may be genetically different in different watersheds
• Most active when water temperature is above 59 degrees fahrenheit
  

Turtle Watch data will also be used as we highlight turtle conservation in our youth education program. We will focus on threats to wildlife and how a healthy stream is essential for the turtles.

With your support w take actions to conserve these amazing critters!

 

Learn More

San Diego Management & Monitoring Program
Species Info

Federal Register - Proposed Rule

Read

The San Diego River Park Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit EIN 01-0565671

For more information on this project and ways to get involved, contact our Senior Program Manager, Natalie at natalie@sandiegoriver.org or call our office at 619-297-7380.

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