After a decadal long drought and the recent Tenaja Fire at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve in Riverside County, CA, a southwestern pond turtle population was sampled and demography assessed in Spring 2023. The population experienced a change from previous data, where turtle growth was stunted and the sex ratio shifted to a male bias sex ratio. The changes in population demography indicate that these stochastic events are causing a disruption in population stability and may have long term effects. There is a need to further investigate and monitor this population to better understand the long term effects these events will have on this turtle population.

Mr. Nerhus is the founder/President of Endemic Environmental Services Inc, a conservation driven environmental firm. Since 2006, Mr. Nerhus has researched southwestern pond turtles focusing on population dynamics, movements, nesting behavior and management. He is also the founder/President of the Institute for Conservation Research and Education a 501(c)3 organization, adjunct faculty at UC Irvine and Saddleback Community College. He is on the board of the Southern California Chapter of TWS and a lifetime member of the Western Section.