Do you love turtles?
Did you know Southwestern pond turtles are at risk?

Please consider donating today to support key research on the Southwestern Pond Turtles of the upper San Diego River and its tributaries.

Turtles play a key role in an ecoystem. The San Diego River only has one native turtle, the Southwestern pond turtle. Their name is misleading as they live often in rivers and 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.

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

Just $3600 is needed to conduct our Spring Surveys. Your gift of $10, $20 or more can really make the difference.

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Donate Today for Turtle Watch!

 

Give $10 or More
Become a Friend of the 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.

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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