The Northwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) is fixture of rangeland ponds across San Francisco’s East Bay, yet little is known about how this species uses surrounding upland habitats. To address this gap, we are using VHF and GPS telemetry to study turtle nesting and movement patterns at livestock ponds in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The first component of our study deploys VHF transmitters on females to monitor movements during the nesting season, enabling identification of nest sites and characterization of upland habitat features. The second component uses GPS units to record fine-scale movements and habitat use throughout the year, providing a continuous view of spatial behavior. Together, these complementary approaches are revealing new insights into the species’ ecology within working rangeland landscapes. Findings will inform grazing management, pond restoration, and upland habitat conservation practices to enhance the long-term persistence of Northwestern Pond Turtle populations across the East Bay.

Farley Connelly, Ph.D., is a wildlife biologist with the Alameda County Resource Conservation District, where he leads research and conservation initiatives focused on the Northwestern Pond Turtle and other rangeland species across California’s East Bay. He earned his doctorate in Urban Ecology from the University of Melbourne, where his research explored how wildlife persists in fragmented and human-influenced landscapes. Farley’s current work integrates telemetry, eDNA, and habitat restoration to inform conservation planning across working lands.