Wildlife & Habitat
Conservation - Nevada Conservation Bond History
Q1 NV Conservation Bond Main Page | History
| Project Summaries | Project Criteria | Get Involved
 In November 2002, Nevadans voted and passed the $200 million Question 1 Nevada Conservation Bond Initiative, authorizing the state to issue bonds for projects to protect and preserve natural resources in Nevada. NDOW is working with the public to determine how to best use its $27.5 million portion of those bonds.
The $27.5 million is extremely important for Nevada’s wildlife resources, and NDOW is seeking to maximize the use of the bond dollars for the greatest benefit of state residents.
The agency will work to create partnerships and leverage additional funds from sources like Fish and Wildlife Restoration Federal Aid dollars, state motorboat fuel taxes, donations, volunteer services and others. The money will then be used for the acquisition or interest in real or personal property to enhance, protect, and manage wildlife and wildlife habitat as well as wildlife-related recreational opportunities. Allocations may also be used for the development and renovation of facilities or the improvement of existing habitats for fish and other wildlife.
Past bond initiatives have proven successful for Nevada wildlife and habitats. NDOW Habitat Bureau Chief, Doug Hunt explained that a similar 1990 bond initiative, Question 5, has allowed the state to move forward on thirty different conservation improvement projects.
“Purchases or acquisition of easements open the doors to conservation efforts and allow key wildlife habitats to be protected,” Hunt said. “For instance, Question 5 allocations allowed for the purchase of the Howard Ranch, along the Bruneau River in northeastern Nevada. We then worked to enhance fishery values in the river corridor and provide habitat for a variety of game and non-game species in the riparian habitat associated with the river.”
 Bond initiatives allow the state to expand existing wildlife management areas and fishable waters, as well as provide crucial corridors for both non-game and game species in the state. This kind of conservation opportunity is invaluable considering the skyrocketing growth and development throughout the state.
“Public input is extremely valuable in shaping the direction of our plans,” Hunt said. “We hope to see a good turnout of individuals who would like to participate in this conservation effort.”
Project proposals for the first round of project identification were due from the public by April 15, 2003. NDOW received 122 specific project proposals along with 38 focus areas by this deadline, totaling about $87 million in projects. Each proposed project was evaluated to determine if it met the intent of the legislation and then was prioritized by evaluation criteria. The ranking committee consisted of our Habitat, Fisheries, Game, Conservation Education and Diversity Bureau Chiefs, each an expert in their field with many years of experience. View the evaluation criteria.
The Administrator and Deputy Administrator evaluated projects to be considered for implementation for Round 1 and Round 2. These selected projects meet the needs of our agency, the intent of the legislation and are in need of implementation in the very near future. The acquisition and enhancement projects fulfill an urgent habitat improvement need (such as water conservation projects to benefit wetlands and wildlife, and noxious weed control). These projects are also what we believe we can accomplish effectively over the next 18 months with the manpower limitations upon us.
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