Last week, the Turtle Conservancy’s education team, Kelly Herbinson and Manci Rasmussen, presented at our local City Hall to the youth members of the Green Valley Project about our native Southern Pacific Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida). The focus was to discuss our current conservation efforts for the species, why the turtles are facing a population decline, and how their organization can aid in their conservation.

The Green Valley project is a youth-led initiative of The C.R.E.W. (Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers), in collaboration with local environmental organizations and experts. Through community engagement and environmental restoration projects, the Green Valley Project’s goal is bringing about a more beautiful, healthy and climate-resilient Ojai Valley watershed where all life can thrive. In the near future, we will be working with the GVP in our endeavors to preserve habitat for our native Southern Pacific Pond Turtle in Ojai’s delicate riparian ecosystems.

For more information about these dedicated organizations, please visit their websites by clicking the links below: