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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.

Pond Turtle


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!



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.


 


THANK YOU
Friends of
the Turtles!



Christina Arias
Jonathan Navarrete
Rosita Ramirez
Gayle Gyles
Margaret Green
Robin & Gerald Morris
Melissa Tvetan
Damion Barton

Lisa Hamann
Larry Weeks, Jr.
Parker Mossman
Renee Woodward

Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Joan Raphael
Theresa Acerro
Judith Nicolaidis
Steven Gelb
Kelsey Schramma
Phyllis Berger
Hollie Bierman
Katharine Dixon
Josh Valle
Holly Gant
Jodi Masumoto
Erik Humphrey
JoAnne Hutsel
Nicole Spuehler
Lisa & Dave Celeste
Rob Hutsel
Elaine& Will Wilson
Lois& Lee Fetzer
Callie Mack & Phil Roullard
Pierre La Plant
David Hollander

Shawn Flanigan
Christopher Garrod
Law Office of
Robert J. Callahan




Please let us know if there is an error on this list.

We are happy to correct it!
Send us an email











Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
EIN 01-0565671


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