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<br /> Newsletter of the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership Page 5
<br /> Special Measures Considered
<br /> for Western Pond Turtle
<br /> The western pond turtle lives in many of the water- Highway and the construction of the West Eugene
<br /> courses and ponds in the southern Willamette Valley Parkway. In addition, overall management strategies
<br /> area including west Eugene. Concern over the decline are being considered for the West Eugene Wetlands Plan
<br /> in the number of turtles{tlnturtle pop'l. lation today that will be implemented over time to further protect
<br /> is only 1 percent of the turtle population in the 1850s) this species. al
<br /> led to the filing of a petition in January 1992 to have '
<br /> the turtle listed as an endangered species under the
<br /> federal Endangered Species Act. Reco izin t VVestern Pond Turtle
<br /> In August 1993, a finding announced that "...list
<br /> ing the western pond turtle is not warranted at the The western pond turtle, Clemmys marmorata, � \
<br /> present time because the (turtle) is not in danger of frequents diverse open water habitats, including �; f
<br /> extinction or likely to become so in the foreseeable streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, reservoirs ' ` \' r. .\
<br /> future." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reclas and canals. It favors habitats with protective cover, \',k",,_ ` x,
<br /> sified the western pond turtle as a "category 2" spe underwater refuge areas, and basking sites (fallen trees, ' 1
<br /> cies. This means that conclusive data on biological boulders, and floating logs). The pond turtle feeds on small ,; :,• ,\:-
<br /> vulnerability and threat are not currently available to animals, invertebrates, carrion, and plants. Although the - N •.: � .ti; •
<br /> support ort a listing. v.,; ' " .
<br /> pp g pond turtle spends most of its time in ponds and deep pools, it ' ' s ..
<br /> The State of Oregon currently lists the turtle in
<br /> can be found crossing fields and roads, especially in the spring and fall.
<br /> the category "...for which listing as threatened or en - In the early spring, males and females return to water from their winter
<br /> dangered is pending or those for which listing as threat nests in nearby upland areas. During the late spring, nesting females leave the water to lay eggs.
<br /> ened or endangered may be appropriate if immediate Nesting sites are often located within 150 feet of ponds, on slopes facing south to southwest, or
<br /> conservation actions are not taken." in grassy fields. Winter nesting sites are usually located in nearby upland areas, where turtles
<br /> While the federal and state listings of the turtle bury themselves in holes or under litter, blackberry thickets, or logs.
<br /> do not legally bind private or public agencies to pre Black bears, river otters, bullfrogs, and largemouth bass are the predominant predators of
<br /> pare conservation plans, they do indicate that special p h
<br /> P Y p tfie western pond turtle. Through habitat destruction, humans have also had a significant effect on
<br /> management measures should be considered in areas the survival of turtles.
<br /> of known habitat. As a consequence, conservation mea If you spot a western pond turtle, please call the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at
<br /> sures are being considered for two highway projects in 726 -3515.
<br /> the west Eugene area: the widening of the Beltline
<br /> Volunteers Help Maintain Willow Creek Natural Area
<br /> Volunteers can help maintain and manage The
<br /> Nature Conservancy's Willow Creek Natural Area. +
<br /> Work parties are held on the second Saturday of each �° 4 , .-v
<br /> month. Upcoming dates are: March 12, April 9, May ; R
<br /> 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, Octo-
<br /> ber 8, and November 12. E
<br /> The particular activities for each work party vary i .
<br /> depending on the season. Typical activities include ,„„
<br /> pulling Scotch broom, monitoring rare plants, and col- y
<br /> lecting wildflower seeds. Volunteers can call the week
<br /> before each scheduled event to see what activities are
<br /> y .
<br /> planned.
<br /> The Willow Creek Natural Area is located in west
<br /> Eugene. Volunteers meet at 9:30 a.m. at the turnout Volunteers have spent
<br /> on the north side of West 18th Avenue about a quarter many hours removing
<br /> mile west of Bertelsen Road. Bring work gloves and Scotch broom, black -
<br /> toppers, clippers, or a hand saw if one is available. berry vines, and other
<br /> For more information or to become a volunteer, invasive plants at
<br /> call Ed Alverson at 687 -5586. the Willow Creek
<br /> Natural Area.
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