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Wildlife & Habitat
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Wildlife & Habitat
Conservation - Partners In Flight
Nevada Partners in Flight (PIF)
PIF is a group of conservation groups, state and federal agencies, and research institutions, have identified bird species in Nevada that are declining. One of the goals identified in the PIF Bird Conservation Plan is to work with Nevada’s farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners to reverse the decline of these “priority species” by protecting and conserving their critical habitat.
Wetlands & Lakes
Nevada’s wetlands and lakes are critical to the success of more than 100 species of birds. These species depend on farmers and ranchers managing their land and water with conservation in mind.
Nevada’s wetlands include a variety of perennial and ephemeral marshes, open waters, and playas that are located across the state. Many of Nevada’s Great Basin marshes provide habitat that is unique to the world. As established in the Clean Water Act, wetlands are generally defined by the extent of water and type of aquatic vegetation found therein. An estimated 267,074 acres of emergent marsh, 183,747 acres of open water, and 758,020 acres of playa wetlands occur in Nevada. These wetlands provide a variety of habitats that are critically important to bird migration, nesting, foraging, and cover.
Existing in a desert climate, Nevada’s wetlands are highly dependent upon conservation and proper use of available water. In order to support priority species, an adequate quantity and quality of water must be available to support the entire ecology of each of Nevada’s wetland habitats. The way that ranchers and farmers seasonally manage their water can make all the difference for wildlife. For instance, calling for water, flood irrigating fields, and discharging waters to drains are all opportunities for wildlife to benefit from existing resources. Cooperative efforts are essential to maintaining the state’s wetland habitats.
View the entire document that defines the priority bird species and recommended conservation practices for that species.
Agricultural Lands
Nevada’s agricultural lands are critical to the success of more than 100 species of birds. These species depend on farmers and ranchers managing their lands with conservation in mind.
Most of Nevada’s agricultural lands are in valley bottoms and floodplains. Irrigated cropland and pastureland are distributed throughout the state and cover approximately six million acres. The majority of the crops grown are hay, wheat, and potatoes.
Native vegetative communities adjacent to agricultural lands include greasewood-sagebrush in the north, and salt desert shrub-creosote in the south. Farming practices such as growing hay, leaving stubble on harvested grain fields, and flood irrigation, all contribute to nesting and feeding habitat for wildlife. Rotating land uses, and resting pastures or adjusting application times can give nesting birds the time and space necessary to successfully reproduce.
Private landowners have an important role to play in the conservation of many of Nevada’s bird species. Strategies designed to improve overall land condition, such as restoration of vegetation in stream and river corridors, can have positive results for both birds and land productivity. Since birds do not utilize a single vegetation type for all of their life processes, they benefit when land managers can maintain a mixture of
habitats. Even small patches of shrubs and/or perennial grasses can have value for wildlife. If native shrubs are not available, they can be planted under cost-share programs.
View the entire document that defines the priority bird species and recommended conservation practices for that species.
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