Balancing on a Crowded Log: Willamalane’s Role in Supporting Northwestern Pond Turtles

Three northwestern pond turtles sunbathe near a pond.

Three Northwestern pond turtles sunbathing. Photo courtesy of the Willamalane Park and Recreation District

The sun flickers from behind the cottonwood trees as it rises over the slough, illuminating the early morning fog. At first glance, the water is silent and still; there’s no one around. Linger a bit longer, and you’ll notice a great blue heron on the water’s edge fishing for crawfish. A kingfisher chattering as it flies overhead. Turtles are clamoring onto logs to soak up the first rays of daylight. Tucked within Georgia Pacific Natural Area, this quiet slough may seem like just another pocket of green space, but its significance runs deep. Bordering the Middle Fork Willamette River, nestled near Springfield’s drinking water wellfield, and flanked by a growing housing development, the area already demands careful stewardship. But what truly sets it apart is the presence of an isolated population of Northwestern pond turtles, one of Oregon’s most sensitive species, making this slough a critical site for thoughtful habitat management.

Meet the Northwestern pond turtle: a semi-aquatic, freshwater turtle species unique to the West Coast of the United States. They are one of just two turtle species native to Oregon. When they aren’t basking in the sun, Northwestern pond turtles are chowing down on an omnivorous diet of aquatic plants, insects, and small amphibians. They play a vital role in their ecosystem by eating algae and detritus (organic matter), which helps maintain healthy waterways. Like most turtle species, they can live impressively long lives, up to 50 years or more, if they can survive the first few vulnerable years of life.

From the moment they hatch, Northwestern pond turtles face an uphill battle for survival. Barely the size of a quarter, hatchlings make easy prey for predators like raccoons, bullfrogs, and largemouth bass. Even if they escape the mouths of hungry predators, they must reach ten years old to reach reproductive maturity, all while dodging threats from urban encroachment, such as habitat loss and an increased risk of road mortality. Due to these challenges, Northwestern pond turtle populations are struggling everywhere that they occur. They are considered a Sensitive Species in Oregon and a Species of Special Concern in the United States, with an outstanding proposal to be federally recognized and protected as an Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act.

On a sunny day, up to twenty Northwestern pond turtles can be seen at once, basking on logs in the Jasper Slough. The Jasper Slough is a perennial body of slow-moving water that flows from the Jasper Pond, a stormwater treatment pond, through the slough and into the Mill Race Channel, a part-natural, part-constructed stream fed by the Willamette River. The low turbidity of the water and ample basking structures make these waterways suitable for Northwestern pond turtles. The slough is part of Georgia Pacific Natural Area, a 120-acre park that provides unique habitat types and recreational opportunities, meaning turtles aren’t the only ones drawn to the tranquility of the slough. Just feet from the water’s edge is the Mill Race Multi-Use Path that attracts users of all kinds. Beyond the path is the Jasper Road Trailhead, a key access point to the Mill Race Path, and next to that, a new housing development. These factors, among others, contribute to the enduring complexity of balancing the interests and needs of people and the natural environment, a well-known challenge for all public land agencies.

In response to the recent housing development and in alignment with Willamalane’s 20-year Comprehensive Plan, Willamalane has spent the last four years taking several steps to enhance Northwestern pond turtle habitat while providing valuable ways for people to connect with nature.

In accordance with the Oregon Conservation Strategy, the most critical management techniques for habitat involve controlling invasive species and minimizing disturbance of potential nesting areas. Willamalane started by removing massive thickets of Himalayan blackberry that crowded the banks of the slough. Himalayan blackberry spreads fast, grows in dense thickets, and has shallow root systems, all of which have a negative effect on erosion, Northwestern pond turtles, and biodiversity as a whole. When blackberry dominates a riparian area, it makes the soil difficult for turtles to dig in and prevents sun from reaching their nests. Willamalane’s natural resources team, joined by volunteers and community partners, then planted more than 1,500 native plants, including spirea, ocean spray, willow, dogwood, snowberry, and blue elderberry. These native trees and shrubs have growth patterns that are better suited for nesting sites. Additionally, the berry-producing species will attract birds and insects, supporting a diverse range of life near the slough. It’s no secret that everything is interconnected, and increasing biodiversity is crucial for improving the health of an ecosystem and ensuring that all its inhabitants thrive.

Northwestern pond turtles rest on a log. Photo courtesy of the Willamalane Park and Recreation District

With the multi-use path and growing housing development nearby, limiting disturbance along the slough poses quite a challenge. Over the years, informal, user-created paths called social trails have emerged along the banks, indicating that people often deviate from the designated routes to get a closer look at the water’s edge. Northwestern pond turtles are highly sensitive to disturbance, and frequent foot traffic can cause them to abandon the limited habitat they depend on. Using a grant administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Willamalane designed and constructed a mutually beneficial solution: an accessible wildlife viewing platform over the slough. Construction was scheduled to avoid prime turtle nesting periods to limit disturbance, and the vision was completed in December 2024. The platform features two benches, interpretative signage that illustrates the trophic levels of the slough, and a bike rack, creating the perfect opportunity to rest, contemplate, and observe. The construction of the platform was met with enthusiasm and gratitude from the community for the opportunity to connect with nature in such a serene setting. This platform now serves as a touchpoint for people to witness Northwestern pond turtles in their natural environment and grow their appreciation for the species without causing any disturbance.

Willamalane continues to evaluate opportunities to better support Northwestern pond turtles in Georgia Pacific Natural Area and across the district. But thoughtful stewardship of public land isn’t the job of one agency alone; it’s a shared responsibility that calls on all of us to care for the spaces we share. Caring for wild places like the Jasper Slough isn’t just about protecting turtles, it’s about nurturing the health of an entire ecosystem, one that ultimately supports and benefits us all; from cleaner water and healthier air to the comfort of knowing these unique places and animals will be around to inspire generations to come.

About Willamalane:

Willamalane Park and Recreation District is a special tax district that provides parks and recreation opportunities in Springfield, Oregon. Willamalane maintains and operates five recreation facilities, as well as over 45 parks, paths, and natural areas. Learn more about Willamalane at willamalane.org

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