Photo: Marie Nygren/USFWS, Stillwater National Refuge (Some rights reserved)
Places: Avi Kwa’ Ame National Monument, Lake Mead, Great Basin, Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Ash Meadows
Quick links: Headlines, Recommended listening
Planeta.com is updating our guide to Wild Nevada – the state’s biodiversity, wildlife, parks and protected areas and the opportunities for ecotourism, conscious, local, Indigenous, and responsible travel.
Headlines
Outdoor recreation on public lands is a Nevada economic powerhouse – Nevada Current
Nevada public lands $1 billion short for deferred maintenance needs – The Nevada Independent
Almost 40% of Nevada groundwater wells are in decline, study says – Nevada Current
‘When the water goes away, it goes away’ — NV’s desert wildlife can’t keep up with drought – The Nevada Independent
Map reveals Nevada public land targeted for sale in Republican senator’s amendment – 250+ million acres of public lands eligible for sale in SENR budget reconciliation package – The Wilderness Society
Indy Environment: Does the BLM’s solar plan trade Nevada’s resources for desert sprawl? – The Nevada Independent
As a Nevada community fights a lithium mine, a rare fish and its haven could be an ace in the hole – Nevada Independent
A national monument in east Las Vegas? Some Nevadans hope so – The Nevada Independent
Is Nevada’s Wildlife Commission on the brink of extinction? – Nevada Current
Think you saw a moose in Nevada? You might not be moosetaken – Nevada Independent
Las Vegas outdoor businesses see huge growth – Review Journal
Cortez Masto proposes conservation compromise on Air Force expansion in Mojave Desert – Nevada Independent
Southern Nevada at risk of losing tree shade to extreme heat – Nevada Current
Nevada State Parks to implement reservation system at campgrounds and popular parks – Nevada Independent
‘Phenomenal boon’: How Nevada’s signature public lands law ushered in growth, conservation – Nevada Independent
Conservation and development: Nevada’s unique public lands process draws renewed attention – Nevada Independent
Nevada botanist is creating state’s first complete plant list – The Nevada Independent
Walker Lake is on the brink of collapse. Is this the year it starts rebounding? – Nevada Independent
NASA opposes lithium mining at tabletop flat Nevada desert site used to calibrate satellites – AP
Black Mountain: You might be calling this mountain the wrong name – Review-Journal
All eyes are on water, but Nevada faces other environmental threats
Your library card can now provide free entry to all state parks in Nevada
Four Nevada environmental issues to watch in 2023
How a fight over transgender rights derailed environmentalists in Nevada – Politico
Arroyo House is a Sustainable Desert Home in Southern Nevada
Central Nevada ichthyosaur fossil reveals surprising information – KOLO
Let’s rebuild our outdoor recreation economy – Jacky Rosen/RGJ
Growth at what cost?
A showdown in Nevada could determine the future of electric vehicles in the U.S. – Salon
Nevada COVID-19 Response Team discuss the virus’ impact on wildlife
Silver State Sights: Cathedral Gorge State Park – KOLO
Nevada’s oldest known tree lives on in mythic stories of its death – Harry Brean
Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation
ndor.nv.gov
Outdoor-business-industry
Economic Analysis
Our impact – Analysis pdf
Outdoor recreation fuels the Nevada economy. A new report shows how much. – The Nevada Independent
https://www.facebook.com/nvoutdoorrec
https://www.youtube.com/@nvoutdoorrec
Eriogonum tiehmii
The Curious Case of Eriogonum tiehmii – The University of Vermont
Tiehm’s Buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii) – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tiehm’s Buckwheat Protected as Endangered Species – Center for Biological Diversity
Nevada’s Rare Tiehm’s Buckwheat Threatened from Lithium Mining – Boing Boing
Wikipedia
Bahsahwabee
Bahsahwahbee Swamp Cedars National Monument
On the anniversary of 1863 massacre, Great Basin tribes call for Bahsahwahbee national monument – Nevada Current
Wikipedia
It’s time for the Biden administration to designate Nevada’s newest monument – The Nevada Independent
Tribes fear federal solar plan could threaten proposed Bahsahwahbee national monument – Nevada Current
East Las Vegas National Monument
eastlasvegasmonument.org
Lay of the land: A push for an East Las Vegas National Monument, plus improvements at Ice Age Fossils State Park – Las Vegas Weekly
Ash Meadows
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was named after the galleries of ash trees described in expedition notes from 1893. The refuge is one of the first in the United States designated a Ramsar site. The refuge strives to promote conservation management and awareness through environmental education, outreach programs, volunteerism, and visitor services programs.
fws.gov/refuge/ash-meadows
Can locals save Ash Meadows?
Ash Meadows should be cared for, cherished, and protected from mining – Nevada Current
youtu.be/7TaGg9VW0DQ
Conservation groups vow to sue feds over approval of drilling near Ash Meadows – Nevada Current
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge
– 75 miles from Reno
fws.gov/refuge/stillwater
travelnevada.com/wildlife/stillwater-national-wildlife-refuge
Birds
Birding Nevada – facebook.com/groups/BirdingNevada – was created with help from Ty Whitaker, the City of Fallon, and the Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority “Visit Fallon”
birdandhike.com
redrockaudubon.com – Events – Facebook
birdadvisors.com
Recommended Listening
Nevada environmental groups file suit over federal approval of Greenlink West
As the state grows, environmental nonprofits work tirelessly
Popularity of Nevada’s natural areas good for tourism, not so much for the environment – These are some of the numbers: Red Rock Canyon drew about 20,000 visitors when it opened 41 years ago. Last year, it drew 2 million; and in 2022, those numbers nearly doubled to 3.8 million. About a million people each year to go Mount Charleston. We all know Lake Mead’s water level is falling — even so, it still attracted 5.6 million people last year.
Fewer Butterflies Means Bigger Problems For Nevada’s Ecosystem
IndyMatters Episode 79: Brad Crowell, natural resources chief, talks water, sage grouse and wildfire in a Sisolak administration
The Nevada Independent’s IndyMatters podcast. Reporter Daniel Rothberg sat down with Brad Crowell, who heads the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, to talk about water, sage grouse conservation and wildfires. They also talked about what policies and aren’t changing under a new gubernatorial administration. “I think you’ll see from this administration more leaning in on addressing climate and energy problems,… focusing on clean energy, focusing on reducing emissions,” he said.
Spotlight: Great Old Broads for Wilderness
greatoldbroads.org
Blue Diamond Broadband
Kudos
Special kudos go to Jim Boone, a longtime vocal advocate for wilderness and wildlife conservation, focusing on southern Nevada and the greater Southwest. Public lands and national monuments are under threat in the United States with many people unaware of their value and often how to visit. Jim’s website Bird and Hike – birdandhike.com – encourages people to visit, learn about, and fall in love with the Mojave Desert.
Trail Finder
Nevada Trail Finder – Facebook – YouTube
Outdoor Recreation
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sector in Nevada
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Business and Job Growth in the Outdoor Recreation Sector in Boulder City
Google Maps
Love this feature and map! This Desert Companion page does not credit the authors, but kudos! Question: Any recommended hikes near Jean? We are visiting Seven Magic Mountains with frequency and would like some options in that corner of the valley.
Natalie Burt
It’s bloom time: Where to look for desert wildflowers
Henderson area teems with winged visitors from north
Deborah Wall
reviewjournal.com
For a great winter hike, check out natural bridge
Las Vegas is an ideal base camp for outdoor adventure
PBS
https://www.pbs.org/show/outdoor-nevada/
State Parks
3.5 million people visit Nevada’s state parks each year. Lake Tahoe and Valley of Fire have a significant amount of visitation from outside Nevada and outside the USA. Under the radar parks include Beaver Dam (outside of Caliente). Adjacent to Tule Springs National Monument, Ice Age Fossils State Park debuted a new visitor center in 2019.
parks.nv.gov – Facebook – Threads
New Administrator Hopes To Bring Interpreter Programs To More State Parks
Robert Mergell appointed to lead Nevada Division of State Parks – DCNR
Nevada’s Newest State Park
Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park
parks.nv.gov
travelnevada.com
Sea monster ichthyosaur left state fossil – RJ
Mystery Nevada fossil site could be ancient maternity ward – AP
DCNR
dcnr.nv.gov
The year that was: Looking back on Nevada’s conservation and preservation highlights in 2018
Flickr
Elsewhere on the Web
Nevada State Parks Foundation is a coalition of former and current Nevada State Park’s employees who share a common commitment and aspire to be a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that the legacy of our state parks endures for generations to come. – nvspf.com – Facebook
nvenvirojustice.org – Reports – Facebook – YouTube
natureinmind.org – https://www.instagram.com/alexkharper
Nevada Interactive 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada
alertwildfire.org
Great Basin Bug Lab
Ward Charcoal Ovens – Wikipedia
nevadaconservationleague.org – Facebook
nevadawilderness.org
rgj.com/outdoors/explore
birdandhike.com
hikinglasvegas.com
nature.org
getoutdoorsnevada.org
Southern Nevada Agency Partnership
Southern Nevada District, for BLM
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, for NPS
Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, for FWS
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, for USFS
State Historic Preservation Office, for volunteer cultural site stewardship
The Tahoe Rim Trail
The John Muir Trail
Kershaw Ryan State Park
https://www.facebook.com/NatureNevada
https://tortoisegroup.org
Seeking Lost
seekinglost.com
TNC
Mojave Desert Animals and Plants – TNC
Facebook
Friends of Nevada Wilderness
Nevada State Parks
Protect Basin and Range
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
River Mountains Loop Trail
Nevada-Naturalist-Program
BLMNevada
Nevada Naturalist
Naturalist
Flickr
Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
blm nevada
wild nevada
Spotlight on the Sage Grouse
Sage Grouse Conservation
Sage Gouse Initiative
Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter
sierraclub.org/toiyabe
Facebook
sierraclub.org: We are YOUR LOCAL activists in Nevada and the Eastern Sierra, fighting on your behalf for the following:
- Protecting public lands, wildlife and their habitats, and our region’s scarce waters from speculation and development;
- Engaging with our elected environmental champions at all levels to pursue 100% renewable energy, community solar, protecting Nevada’s water law, better infrastructure for electric vehicles and mass transit, and walkable, healthier communities instead of sprawl;
- Advocating for smart-growth, open space protection, and transportation that makes sense in regional planning efforts;
- Protecting essential waters from “water-mining” (using water faster than it recharges) and development; and
- Recruiting, training, and empowering volunteer activists to speak up on these issues and more!
Southern Nevada Conservancy
southernnevadaconservancy.org
Facebook
Santa Rosa Mountains
Wikipedia
Walker Lake Recreation Area
https://www.blm.gov/visit/walker-lake-recreation-area
https://www.walkerbasin.org
Nevada lake poised to become great restoration story
Walker Lake – Wikipedia
Mountains
White Mountains are home to Nevada’s tallest peak, Boundary Peak
Monitor Range
Monitor_Range
mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=4429156
trails.com/activity.aspx?area=10143
Wallace Canyon
Wallace Canyon – Explore Nevada
Nevada Museums Association
Preserve Nevada
Nevada Division of State Parks
The Sump
outdoorproject.com/united-states/nevada/sump
nevadaappeal.com/news/2017/dec/21/fascinating-geology-found-at-the-sump/
unlv.edu/news/article/photojournal-belly-sump
Nevada Plants / Lisa Ortega
A tree planting, advocacy, and education nonprofit
nevadaplants.com – Events
Facebook
Youtube
Revisiting the Lorax of Las Vegas – City Cast (2022)
Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA)
Projects Funded by SNPLMA
blm.gov/SNPLMA
Economic Benefits
“Outdoor recreation supports over 59,000 jobs in the state,” Colin Robertson with the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation
2021 Survey
http://parks.nv.gov/about/public-notices
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021NVOutdoorRecreationSurveyEnglish
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/Encuesta2021SobreRecreationalAireLibre
The Nevada Divisions of Outdoor Recreation and State Parks announce the release of a public survey on outdoor recreation in Nevada. The survey is part of the federally required Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which is updated every five years. This plan establishes criteria for funding outdoor recreation projects in Nevada, through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program, and guides outdoor recreation development over the next five years. Public input is critical for creating a comprehensive plan that addresses the outdoor recreation needs of all Nevadans.
Recommended Viewing: Outdoor Nevada
pbs.org/show/outdoor-nevada
vegaspbs.org
Recommended Viewing: Wild Nevada
Hosted by Chris Orr and Dave Santina
pbsreno.org/watch/wildnevada
PBS Reno’s ‘Wild Nevada’ season 5 picked up for distribution by American Public Television
Clark County
Clark County Lands Bill
Honor Spirit Mountain
The proposed Avi Kwa Ame (Ah-VEE kwa-ah-may) National Monument in Southern Nevada contains some of the most visually stunning, biologically diverse, and culturally significant lands in the entire Mojave Desert.
https://honorspiritmountain.org
Stray Notes
- Nevada is the Nation’s driest state, with statewide annual average (1895–2020) precipitation only 10.2 inches. (statesummaries.ncics.org)
Wikipedia
List of Nevada state parks
Gass Peak
Mentzelia leucophylla
Railroad Valley
Sagebrush
Thunderstorm
Features
Planeta.com