Living Coast Discovery Center Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge CA

Founded in 1987.

Turtles play positive roles in the folklore of many Native American tribes. In the creation myths of some East Coast tribes (such as the Iroquois and Lenape), the Great Spirit created their homeland by placing earth on the back of a giant turtle. This is why some contemporary Native Americans refer to North America by the name “Turtle Island.” Turtles are a symbol of the earth in many different Native cultures. To Plains Indians, turtles are associated with long life, protection, and fertility. In other tribes, turtles are often associated with healing, wisdom, and spirituality.

Turtles are also used as clan animals in some Native American cultures. Tribes with Turtle Clans include the Chippewa (whose Turtle Clan and its totem are called Mikinaak,) the Menominee (whose Mud Turtle Clan is named Maehkaenah,) the Huron-Wyandot (who at one point had four different turtle clans: mud turtle, water turtle, striped turtle, and great turtle,) and the Abenaki, Shawnee, and Iroquois tribes. The turtle was also the special tribal emblem of the Lenape Delawares, who have a Turtle Dance among their tribal dance traditions. On the Northwest Coast, the sea turtle is sometimes used as a totem pole crest.

Native Languages

The Discovery Center is so peaceful, the birds, the turtles, the bat rays and all the animals look very happy, well taken care of. I love this place! The property sits out pretty far off from the freeway and is super peaceful and not really huge like the San Diego Zoo. It’s nice for spending a whole day or just the afternoon. You can take your time observing all the wildlife and the staff is always eager to answer questions and give informative speech’s.

These turtles are endangered and if you’d like to support them, a plaque can be purchased via website at; http://www.thelivingcoast.org/exhibits/turtle-lagoon/