with lobed leaves, grows to a height of almost two inches,s and has tubular white or purple flower clusters. It germinates under water like many vernal pool species. May and June are when the plants bloom after the pool has dried. Western pond turtle The western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata also Actinemys marmorata) is one of several reptiles at Boggs Lake and is listed as a species of special concern by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). Boggs Lake provides habitat for the western pond turtle. The preserve has water for feeding and body temperature regulation, as well as a nearby upland environment, which allows laying of eggs in areas not subject to submersion and basking areas (again, for regulation of body temperature). In June 2008, Sonoma State University (SSU) began a study project at Boggs Lake with funds from SSU and the Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Commission. The project goals are to prevent extinction and solve the temperature-sex mystery. Turtle eggs from Boggs Lake are being hatched at different temperatures to find out what temperature determines male or female. The turtles will eventually be released back to Boggs Lake. The western pond turtle has been impacted by destruction of habitat, where once they were common from Washington state to Baja California, now only can be found in isolated areas in Southern California and the Central Valley. "Western Pond Turtles are a snapshot of what is happening to turtles in general. Turtles are in decline on a global basis." said Nick Geist, associate professor of Biology at SSU. See also List of California Department of Fish and Game protected areas Footnotes External links Link to photo of Boggs Lake retrieved 24 Apr 2008 Art of endangered plant at Boggs Lake retrieved 24 Apr 2008 Solano County Water Agency species description of the hedge-hyssop . retrieved 9 May 2008 Lakes of Lake County, California Nature reserves in California Protected areas of Lake County, California California Department of Fish and Wildlife areas Nature Conservancy preserves 1973 establishments in California Protected areas established in 1973