Western Pond Turtle Workshop: Ecology and Conservation
The Wildlife Society-San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
April 16-17, 2005
Rohnert Park, California

The western pond turtle is an aquatic turtle native to the Pacific states. Although the range of the turtle is widespread north to south, the species is in decline in many areas. Turtles in Washington are endangered and in Oregon they are considered Critical Species. In northern California, western pond turtles are widely distributed with declines reported for some populations. Many Central Valley populations have been extirpated but several remaining populations appear stable, and some populations in Southern California are in danger of extinction. This turtle is considered a Species of Special Concern by the California Department of Fish and Game.

This workshop is designed to provide professional biologists with a background on conservation issues of the western pond turtle, recent research findings, and practical understanding of field methods. Participants will learn how to identify turtles, their life history and habitat requirements, taxonomy and evolution, potential causes of declines, survey techniques, regulations and permits, and management plans. The workshop's Saturday session will include presentations and a short field trip to an on-campus pond where turtle identification, visual surveys for basking turtles, and trapping techniques will be discussed. Western pond turtles spook easily and not all participants may see turtles basking.

Following the Saturday presentations, a social campout will be held at Spring Lake located near Santa Rosa. The campout will include a Saturday BBQ dinner and a Sunday breakfast. Sunday morning we will visit Spring Lake to search for turtles with no guarantees of what we will find.

Tentative Schedule
Western Pond Turtle Workshop, Saturday, April 16
TimeTopicPresenter
8:00Check-in Registration
Natural History
8:30Biology, Ecology, and StatusBruce Bury-USGS
9:10Life HistoryDave Germano-CSU Bakers.
9:40Body Size VariationGlen Lubcke-CSU Chico
Taxonomy/Evolutionary Relations
10:20Evolutionary Relationships of Emydine TurtlesChris Feldman-Utah SU
10:40Fossil history of Emys in Western North AmericaJames Parham-UC Berkeley
11:00Phylogeography of Emys marmorataPhillip Spinks-UC Davis
Survey Techniques/Regulations
11:40Mitigation and Conservation an Agency PerspectiveBetsy Bolster-CDFG
12:00Western Pond Turtle Survey ProtocolBruce Bury et al.
12:20Field Trip/Survey Techniques (SSU pond)
Conservation/Management
2:00Long-term management on a drinking water watershedJeff Alvarez-Wildlife Project
2:20Population Studies and Methods at Sunol WildernessPierre Fidenci-Garcia Assoc
2:40Survival of Pond Turtles in Modified WaterwaysBrad Shaffer-UC Davis
3:20Historical Terrapin Harvest (1863-1931)Matthew Bettelheim
3:40Dammed Rivers… Damned TurtlesDon Ashton-USFS
4:00Turtle Basking Patterns in Dammed/Undammed RiversJamie Bettaso-USFWS

Saturday Presentations: Sonoma State University, Stevenson Hall, Room 1002, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, Sonoma County. Lunch on Saturday will be provided. Binoculars are recommended for viewing turtles in the field trip, but are not required.

Campout Saturday Night: NOTE: The campout is now full. Spring Lake Regional Park campground is located near Santa Rosa and has fire pits, flush toilets, and showers. Meet on Saturday at 6 pm. We will stay until 11ish on Sunday. Enter south entrance of the park off of Hoen Avenue and Newanga Avenue. Campers are required to bring their own tent and sleeping gear. Other recommended items include flashlight, warm cloths, utensils, and plates. Campers will be asked to help with camping duties, including cooking and cleanup. Dinner and breakfast will be provided.

If you need lodging, we suggest the following hotels/motels:

DoubleTree Hotel
Reservations: (707) 584-5466
Standard Rate: $179		 Ramada Limited
Reservations: (707) 584-1600
Standard Rate: $59		 Best Western Inn
Reservations: (707) 584-7435
Standard Rate: $70

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