Science Saturday: The Western Pond Turtle

Jessie Bushell from the San Francisco Zoo will introduce you to the shy and fascinating western pond turtle. Come meet a turtle and learn about California's only native freshwater aquatic turtle, the challenges that they are currently facing in California and throughout the western US, and how the Mountain Lake Project will help with conserving this special species.

Jessie has been working with reptiles and amphibians for over 18 years. Through her work at the San Francisco Zoo, she is collaborating with Sonoma State University and the Oakland Zoo on a long term study of the western pond turtle to uncover important information about its reproductive physiology and nesting habits. Jessie is also collaborating with the Presidio Trust on the restoration work at Mountain Lake specifically related to the reintroduction of the turtle.

See web link for map.