Oregon Public Broadcasting

Some rare Oregon turtles were released into a backyard wetland last weekend.  The Western painted turtles were discovered as babies, and kept at Gresham City Hall for a short time to protect them before their release back into the marsh.

A crew from OPB's Oregon Field Guide went out to record the event.  Videographer Michael Bendixen was behind the camera, and he told me about what he saw that day.

You'll hear him refer to an expert named Laura -- that's Laura Guderyahn.  She works for the city of Gresham as the Watershed Restoration Coordinator.

Guderyahn oversaw the foster care for the turtle babies at Gresham City Hall, and their re-release into the private yard where they were discovered.

The story will be on Oregon Field Guide this fall, but you can watch a brief clip of the turtle release below. 

Western Painted Turtles Released-- Oregon Field Guide