Date: 11/30/10
Contact: Jake Sunderland
Phone: (775) 688-1558

NEVADA TASKFORCE TO RESTORE RANGELAND ECOSYSTEMS

In a move to counter the threat to Nevada's Great Basin sagebrush caused by fire, noxious and invasive weeds and other land uses, Nevada State and federal agencies have formed the Nevada Partners for Conservation and Development (NevPCD). Born out of the Governor's "War on Cheatgrass," the NevPCD will provide coordinated leadership in resource management and public service in cooperation with property owners and users to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Because NDOW has had a significant role in restoring and improving Nevada's habitat over the years, it hired habitat staff specialist Dr. Lee Turner to coordinate the NevPCD. Turner has a background in upland and riparian habitat restoration and has experience with non-native plant and animal species eradication. He has designed, managed and implemented habitat projects in the Great Basin states and Colorado and has conducted various studies and worked across much of the western US, arctic Canada, Alaska and Antarctica. He has worked with numerous agencies, private landowners and coalitions of groups with diverse interests in outcomes of management on public and private lands.

NevPCD's mission is to protect Nevada's biological diversity (both wildlife and vegetation), restore productive rangeland ecosystems to support wildlife and agriculture and to provide high quality outdoor recreation opportunities. The NevPCD's biggest challenge is to combat the impacts of non-native annual grasses and pinyon-juniper encroachment into sagebrush.

Turner believes that the NevPCD's efforts will also have a positive effect for Nevada's wildlife.

"All of Nevada's game species will benefit directly from the NevPCD's work including mule deer, sage grouse, bighorn sheep and chukar," said Turner. "Non-game species will benefit from the work as well given that game and non-game species share habitat."

Another issue facing the NevPCD is the logistics of organizing a new program of this nature on the statewide level.

"One of the main goals of the NevPCD is to have projects be generated from a grassroots collaborative process and getting these local groups formed is a challenge in a state with such large rural areas," Turner said.

The NevPCD was inspired by a similar program that was started in Utah about 10 years ago. The Utah Partners for Conservation and Development has successfully treated over 1,000,000 acres since it was formed.

"We are making every effort learn from the UtahPCD's successes and mistakes as the Partners program is established in Nevada," said Turner.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.