The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wildlife refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , located north of Las Vegas, Nevada , in northwestern Clark and southwestern Lincoln counties, with much of its land area lying within the southeastern section of the Nevada Test and Training Range . The Desert NWR, created on May 20, 1936, is the largest wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states of the United States, encompassing 1.615 million acres (6,540 km) of the Mojave Desert in the southern part of Nevada . The refuge was originally established at 2.25 million acres. In 1940 840,000 acres were transferred to the Department of Defense.
20-719: This Range is part of the larger Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex , which includes the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge , the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge , and the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge . All of these refuges are managed from a central office, have similar ecology , and similar management needs. Fish and Wildlife Service staff are shared between all of these refuges. Range/Refuge staff work out of
40-520: A central office, have similar ecology , and similar management needs. Fish and Wildlife Service staff are shared between all of these refuges. Range/Refuge staff work out of the Corn Creek Field Station, which includes a visitor center, which is located 23 miles (37 km) north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Range can be accessed from U.S. Route 95 via Corn Creek Road . The Desert NWR contains six major mountain ranges, including
60-440: A valuable and unprecedented example of desert oases habitats, that have become extremely uncommon in the southwestern deserts. The refuge is a major discharge point for a vast underground aquifer water system, reaching more than 100 mi (160 km) to the northeast. Water-bearing strata come to the surface in more than thirty seeps and springs , providing a rich, complex variety of mesic habitats . Virtually all of
80-575: The Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge , and the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge . Inside Ash Meadows is Devils Hole , a detached unit of Death Valley National Park. Ash Meadows is within the Amargosa Desert , of the Mojave Desert ecoregion. The Amargosa River is a visible part of the valley hydrology, and has seasonal surface flow passing southwards adjacent to the preserve, to later enter Death Valley . Ash Meadows provides
100-510: The Mojave Desert in the southern part of Nevada . The refuge was originally established at 2.25 million acres. In 1940 840,000 acres were transferred to the Department of Defense. This Range is part of the larger Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex , which includes the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge , the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge , and the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge . All of these refuges are managed from
120-585: The Sheep Range , with heights up to 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and valleys around 2,500 feet (760 m). Annual rainfall in the range varies from less than four inches (100 mm) in the valleys to over fifteen inches (380 mm) on the mountain peaks. Perpetuating the desert bighorn sheep and its habitat is the most important objective of the range. The Range actively improves bighorn habitats by developing new water sources and maintaining and improving existing ones. Numerous other wildlife species share
140-540: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , located north of Las Vegas, Nevada , in northwestern Clark and southwestern Lincoln counties, with much of its land area lying within the southeastern section of the Nevada Test and Training Range . The Desert NWR, created on May 20, 1936, is the largest wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states of the United States, encompassing 1.615 million acres (6,540 km ) of
160-659: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service . Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wildlife refuge located in the Amargosa Valley of southern Nye County , in southwestern Nevada . It is directly east of Death Valley National Park , and is 90 mi (140 km) west-northwest of Las Vegas . In 1983 The Nature Conservancy purchased 12,613 acres that had been slated for development to protect Ash Meadows. The Nature Conservancy transferred
180-452: The Corn Creek Field Station, which includes a visitor center, which is located 23 miles (37 km) north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Range can be accessed from U.S. Route 95 via Corn Creek Road . The Desert NWR contains six major mountain ranges, including the Sheep Range , with heights up to 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and valleys around 2,500 feet (760 m). Annual rainfall in the range varies from less than four inches (100 mm) in
200-612: The Range vary with altitude and climate. Most of these plant species can be seen while driving the Mormon Well Road (which can be accessed from the Corn Creek Field Station). The desert shrub community, composed of creosote bush and white bursage are the dominant shrubs in the hottest, lowest elevations of Desert National Wildlife Range. Above the valley floor, Mojave yucca and cactus become abundant. At
220-610: The dominant shrubs in the hottest, lowest elevations of Desert National Wildlife Range. Above the valley floor, Mojave yucca and cactus become abundant. At the upper edge of the desert shrub communities, between approximately 4,200 to 6,000 feet (1,300 to 1,800 m), black-brush and Joshua tree are dominant. Above 6,000 feet (1,800 m) desert woodlands, composed of single-leaf pinyon , Utah juniper , and big sagebrush begin. The coniferous forest communities begin around 7,000 feet (2,100 m). From 7,000 to 9,000 feet (2,100 to 2,700 m) Ponderosa pine and white fir are
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#1732798302350240-478: The dominant trees. Near 10,000 feet (3,000 m) where the growing seasons are the shortest, the only trees surviving are bristlecone pines . Numerous recreational opportunities are available on the Range. Camping , hiking , backpacking , and horseback riding are all popular activities enjoyed by refuge visitors. Limited hunting for bighorn sheep is permitted. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of
260-478: The dominant trees. Near 10,000 feet (3,000 m) where the growing seasons are the shortest, the only trees surviving are bristlecone pines . Numerous recreational opportunities are available on the Range. Camping , hiking , backpacking , and horseback riding are all popular activities enjoyed by refuge visitors. Limited hunting for bighorn sheep is permitted. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of
280-562: The land to the Fish and Wildlife Service and the refuge was created on June 18, 1984, to protect this extremely rare desert oasis in the Mojave Desert . Ash Meadows is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . The 23,000-acre (9,300 ha) Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is part of the larger Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex , which also includes the Desert National Wildlife Refuge ,
300-403: The range with bighorns. In addition to wildlife the Range also boasts an abundance of plant communities. Plant communities and wildlife found on the Range vary with altitude and climate. Most of these plant species can be seen while driving the Mormon Well Road (which can be accessed from the Corn Creek Field Station). The desert shrub community, composed of creosote bush and white bursage are
320-424: The second greatest local endemism concentration in all of North America . There are many plants endemic to Ash Meadows, including: In 2010, Utah State University announced that a team from the school had discovered two new bee species in the genus Perdita at Ash Meadows. Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wildlife refuge, administered by
340-449: The upper edge of the desert shrub communities, between approximately 4,200 to 6,000 feet (1,300 to 1,800 m), black-brush and Joshua tree are dominant. Above 6,000 feet (1,800 m) desert woodlands, composed of single-leaf pinyon , Utah juniper , and big sagebrush begin. The coniferous forest communities begin around 7,000 feet (2,100 m). From 7,000 to 9,000 feet (2,100 to 2,700 m) Ponderosa pine and white fir are
360-484: The valleys to over fifteen inches (380 mm) on the mountain peaks. Perpetuating the desert bighorn sheep and its habitat is the most important objective of the range. The Range actively improves bighorn habitats by developing new water sources and maintaining and improving existing ones. Numerous other wildlife species share the range with bighorns. In addition to wildlife the Range also boasts an abundance of plant communities. Plant communities and wildlife found on
380-426: The water at Ash Meadows is fossil water , believed to have entered the ground water system tens of thousands of years ago. Numerous stream channels and wetlands are scattered throughout the refuge. To the north and west are the remnants of Carson Slough, which was drained and mined for its peat in the 1960s. Sand dunes occur in the western and southern parts of the refuge. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
400-472: Was established to provide and protect habitat for at least twenty-six endemic plants and animals, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. Four fish and one plant are currently listed as endangered species . The concentration of locally exclusive flora and fauna that distinguishes Ash Meadows is the greatest concentration of endemic biota in any local area within the United States . It has
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