A biological treasure, the Western Painted Turtle delights many outdoors enthusiasts and visitors to local lakes and wetlands. BC’s only native freshwater turtle, this species is provincially red-listed and federally endangered and is vulnerable to wetland loss and degradation, destruction of nesting habitat, human disturbance, predation and mortality on roads intercepting nesting areas. The Sunshine Coast is home to key remaining populations of painted turtles. However, preliminary research and anecdotal accounts indicate that local populations are declining.

By conducting nesting surveys, mark-recapture surveys, presence-not detected surveys and radio telemetry, we are uncovering valuable information about the distribution, habitat use and population structure of painted turtles to guide their conservation on the Sunshine Coast. In addition to the research and monitoring, we are also implementing on-the-ground stewardship and conservation measures to benefit the species, including installation of basking logs, nesting beaches, turtle crossing signs and predator exclosures and working with land-owners to protect turtle habitat on private property.

PROJECT LEADERS

Dr. Michelle Evelyn, PhD, RPBio (Project Leader). A wildlife ecologist, Michelle's work focuses on balancing the needs of humans and wildlife, and identifying and protecting key resources for wildlife in human-dominated landscapes. Michelle studied Ecology and Zoology at the University of British Columbia and gained her MSc and PhD from Stanford University. She is a Research Affiliate with the Biodiversity Research Centre at UBC and is the recipient of many awards, grants and academic honours.

David Stiles, BSc (Project Manager): Dave is a field biologist who has spent the past fifteen years working on wildlife research and conservation projects in BC, California and Mexico. Prior to moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2002, he worked as a research assistant at the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University. Dave has worked with a great diversity of animals including amphibians, birds, bats, insects, and small and medium sized mammals. He has extensive experience mist netting and radio tracking bats, including endangered Keen's long-eared Myotis.

This project is generously funded by:

	B.C. Habitat Conservation Trust Fund www.hctf.ca
	Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih/
	Service Canada servicecanada.gc.ca