Western pond turtles are the only freshwater species of turtle in California, and they tell us important things about the health of our lakes. By becoming a Turtle Observer, you can turn your interest into action by contributing to conservation efforts through data collection, observation and using cool tools like spotting scopes.

Once you have completed the two-part training with Marin Water on Mar. 1, you have the choice to visit several locations at any time you want during the spring to participate. This is a family-friendly project!

The online meeting from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will cover the importance of wildlife conservation, how to identify the various turtle species in Marin, monitoring protocols and the benefits of becoming a community scientist. In the afternoon, we will gather from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lake Lagunitas to meet other volunteers in person, practice using spotting scopes and binoculars, and put identification skills into practice. The season runs through the end of May.

In the event of heavy rain, the outdoor portion of the activity will be postponed.