Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am becoming increasingly interested in the study of Turtles. The only indigenous one I have found really for my area “Sierra Nevada Foot Hills, California” is the Western Pond Turtle. I have read a lot of its rarity and would greatly like to study it. At this time I am not interested in collecting any but rather sit and watch and take notes and pictures and possibly collect some to just take field measurements and the release it. My problem is whenever I go out in the field to take part in my Snake and Lizard Studies I schedule some time to search out any turtles I can find and document them. So far I have yet to find one in the wild. Is there anyone here that dose any studies in N. California that would not mind me tagging along just for observation? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

P.S. The only turtle experience I have is a RES I had a long time ago. It eventually grew out of the enclosure and I gave it to a good family with a large pond. To this day he is still loving it.
RR

If you are not a poacher and are serious and if you can make it to LA on the 5,6,7 of Sept there is a turtle conference going on which will include a tour of a western pond turtle study site (undisclosed and presumably protected) given by a researcher of the species. the conference will include several lectures on this species as well in addition to a whole day of talks by a handful of turtle authortities.

go to turtle symposium

Oh by no means am I a poacher. Unfortunately I cannot make it on the short of a notice although I wish I could. To your knowledge will there be any transcript available or maybe a video or audiotape?
RR

not sure about documentation of the event.
but if you are interested in actinemys you really should try to go. it might be an opportunity to meet some of the researchers and ask about volunteering to help...even from a distance.
have you been to the conference web page?
email the address listed there and ask if you can buy a copy of the transcripts/videos .

Ok I will see what I can do. I have not been to the site yet. Thanks for the info.
RR