Two species of turtles are native to Oregon: the Western pond turtle and the Western painted turtle. Both are listed as critical on the state's sensitive species list. Metro is a partner in the Lower Willamette Turtle Conservation Project which was formed to share expertise in turtle conservation and to promote appreciation and conservation of turtles by all Oregonians.
Metro
503-797-1700503-797-1804 TDD
503-797-1797 fax
Home improvement for Western painted turtles
Planning and conservation › Natural areas, parks and trails › Restoration › Restoration highlights › Home improvement for turtles
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is home to one of the last remaining large populations of Western painted turtles in Oregon. Improvements at the natural area were designed to make life easier for these important residents.
From the turtles’ perspective, the old parking lot and informal canoe launch were located in one of the worst possible places. Paddlers continually disturbed the turtles, and visitors trampled their nesting habitat. The new parking lot and launch are located away from prime turtle habitat. The existing interlakes trail will continue to provide ample opportunity for people to view turtles sunning themselves on logs.
Why all the fuss about disturbing turtles?
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife considers the status of the turtle as “sensitive-critical.” That means unless Western painted turtles reverse their current downward population trend, the species could become listed as threatened or endangered. Metro and its partners can take some credit in providing important habitat for the turtles while giving people a special opportunity to view and enjoy these interesting animals.
How can an air-breathing animal hold its breath for months? Turtles, like most animals, are ectotherms or "cold-blooded." That is, their body temperature matches the surrounding temperature. When turtles hibernate at the bottom of a pond or slough, they are as cold as the water and their metabolism slows way down. Turtles need so little oxygen when hibernating that they can absorb all the oxygen they need from the water through their skin.
The best time to view the turtles is late spring, when temperatures first approach 70 degrees. These first warm days bring the turtles out of the water and onto logs to bask in the sun. Western painted turtles are aquatic, and they spend the winter underwater. A few may come up for air once or twice, but most turtles stay underwater in the mud all winter.
Warm, spring days are critical for turtles to begin their reproductive activities. Sunning on logs is a vital part of the day to be able to breathe, move, breed and eat. When turtles are disturbed and dive off their basking sites, their ability to meet basic life needs becomes more difficult.
What can you do to help?
Keep your distance when watching turtles. Use binoculars or a spotting scope for close-up views. Staying quiet also improves wildlife watching. Do not release pet turtles (or any pet animals) in the natural area. They can compete for food and spread deadly diseases to native wildlife. Report anyone attempting to capture turtles from the wildlife area to the Oregon State Police.
Visitors to Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area can view turtles from the interlakes trail, a quarter-mile west of the new parking lot. Look for knobs or lumps on floating logs. Those “lumps” are probably turtles. It takes a little practice to see them, but after you learn how to spot turtles, you’ll quickly realize Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is a great place for turtles.
See for yourself
In spring and summer, Metro offers guided turtle walks at Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. These walks are posted on Metro's online calendar...View online calendar
Working together to protect turtles
Metro has partnered with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Zoo and Bureau of Environmental Services to assess and conserve the remaining native turtle population in the Portland metropolitan area...Learn more about the Lower Willamette Turtle Conservation Project
Need assistance?
Metro parks and greenspaces
503-797-1850 | 503-797-1849 fax
metroparks@oregonmetro.gov
Related Links
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
Home to beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles, this 2,000-acre natural area offers accessible wildlife watching, a canoe launch and more.
Turtle monitoring
Turtle monitors conduct visual surveys of basking and nesting activities of native turtles inhabiting Metro natural areas.
Related Internet links
- Lower Willamette Turtle Conservation Project
(http://www.willametteturtles.com/)
Planning and stewardship
