#blmnevada

Infrastructure improvements at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Designated in 1982, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a BLM-managed area comprised of 198,000 acres of nationally significant geological, archaeological, ecological, cultural, scenic, scientific, wildlife, riparian, wilderness, endangered species, and recreation resources. Since 1982, visitation to the area has increased fourfold. Increasing visitation manifested into a deteriorated roadway, disturbance to sensitive roadside vegetation, unsafe pedestrian-vehicle interaction, and stranded vehicles during flash flood events.

To address the transportation needs, the Central Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration (CFL) in partnership with the BLM proposed a multi-phased suite of infrastructure improvements, such as the creation of two new low water crossing bridges completed in 2016, a state-of-the-art flood control system; repaving the entire Scenic Drive at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, plus a redesign and expansion of four parking areas (increasing parking capacity by about 200 spaces) in 2017; and addition of new restrooms, interpretive signage, landscaping and benches; and installation of a new fee station at Red Rock Campground.

Vico, BLM Nevada’s only K-9, retires

“Vico has always had dedication and persistence in his duties. He is probably the happiest BLM employee with just some dog food and a piece of hose,” said Dave Stolts, BLM Southern Nevada Supervisory Ranger. Stolts has been Vico’s handler since 2011 when Vico was brought into the BLM’s K-9 program. 

This year’s Bat Blitz in Nevada

Over 12 species were identified during this year's Bat Blitz. Each year the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the National Park Service, Nevada Natural Heritage Program, the U.S. Forest Service and the Great Basin Institute team up to trap bats. The goal is to learn more about the health and diversity of the bat species in the state. Kelsey Retich is a Wildlife Biologist in the Southern Nevada District in Las Vegas. Here, she provides her personal experience of the event.

BLM Nevada’s New Approach to Wildfire Prevention

Story by Rita Henderson, BLM Nevada New Media Lead; and Rachel Wootton, WO National Conservation Lands. Photos by BLM.

This summer, BLM Nevada developed a coordinated fire prevention campaign which included three wildfire prevention teams and an innovative public engagement strategy. The teams were made up of BLM, USFS, and fire prevention staff from various states, who traveled around Nevada to share fire prevention information and reach target audiences. 

While each team provided critical fire prevention information, they all had a slightly different focus. The first team consisted of mostly BLM Nevada staff who traveled the entire state sharing safety messages on target shooting. The second team consisted of media experts from the BLM and USFS who focused on video, images, and media content for social and traditional media. The team used a wide array of strategies, from Facebook Live posts focusing on defensible space and fuel loading to informational videos and web content. The third team focused on reaching out of state visitors and those gearing up for hunting season. As a part of the campaign, the team developed educational materials to share wildfire prevention information in a new way.

BLM Nevada is using new ways to connect with the public and prevent wildfires. Through social media, written information, and in-person conversations, the teams spread information about human-caused wildfires. Visit and follow BLM Nevada on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr to see more of the campaign and help us prevent wildfires!Here are some safety tips provided by the teams:

Keep campfires small and controllable, completely extinguish them before leaving, and bring water, bucket, and shovel just in case.

Secure trailer chains to avoiding starting a wildfire.

Avoid driving or parking vehicles in grassy areas where tall, dry grass could come in contact with exhaust or undercarriage of vehicles.

Thanks for joining us during National Photography Month!

This May, we celebrated National Photography Month with photos from #yourpubliclands, tips from the experts, and some travel inspiration for your next trip to BLM-managed lands. Check out our Instagram for a recap of National Photography Month, and follow for more!

Sagebrush in Prisons

Photos and story by Terah Malsam, BLM.

It all starts in the fall, when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and volunteer seed collectors gather volumes of sagebrush seed from condensed stands of healthy sagebrush.  The seeds are then sent to Shannon Swim of the Institute for Applied Ecology, who distributes them to facilities participating in the Sagebrush in Prisons program.

The Sagebrush in Prisons program is touted as a success in its ecological effort toward restoring Greater Sage-grouse habitat and its ability to improve the inmates' lives. This year over 200,000 sagebrush seeds have been planted within the walls of three Nevada state prisons: Lovelock, Warm Springs, and the Northern Nevada Correctional Center.  The program is a joint effort between the BLM, Nevada Department of Corrections, and The Institute for Applied Ecology to supply strong, healthy sagebrush seedlings to restore Greater Sage-grouse habitat in fire-scorched areas.

"Its tough work at first,” said inmate John Flagg, “but then you get to see your accomplishment as the plants begin to bud and grow."

Fairy Shrimp on our Instagram Story at the Black Rock Desert Playa in Nevada!

The Black Rock Desert playa has come back to life with the high amounts of precipitation Nevada has encountered. Aquatic species that lie dormant on the playa, hatch when water levels make for the right environment. “Fairy shrimp” are one such species and can be seen in our Instagram Story today! There are other species and varieties that are common to desert playas in Nevada.

This year the Black Rock Desert playa has been home to a unique experience, receiving the most water many have seen in a few decades. As the winds continue this spring, the water recedes, meaning that these tiny creatures must reproduce and lay eggs quickly. Exploring your public lands can lead to some unforeseen discoveries!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Bureau of Land Management!