From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Desert National Wildlife Refuge tion of the Nevada Test and Training Range. The Desert
NWR, created on May 20, 1936, is the largest wildlife
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area) refuge in the lower 48 states of the United States,[1] en-
compassing 1.615 million acres (6,540 km2) of the Mojave
Desert in the southern part of Nevada.[2] This Range is
part of the larger Desert National Wildlife Refuge Com-
plex, which includes the Ash Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge, Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Pahrana-
gat National Wildlife Refuge, and the Amargosa Pupfish
Station.
Desert Environment in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the Desert National Wildlife Reserve and other
federal properties in southern Nevada
Description of refuge
Map of the United States
Location Clark County, Lincoln County, Nevada, United
States
Nearest city Las Vegas, Nevada
Coordinates 36°46′00″N 115°26′00″W / 36.7666667°N
115.4333333°W / 36.7666667;
-115.4333333Coordinates: 36°46′00″N 115°26′00″W
/ 36.7666667°N 115.4333333°W / 36.7666667;
-115.4333333
Area 1.615 million acres (6,540 km2)
Established 1936 Corn Creek Springs at Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Range/Refuge staff work out of the Corn Creek Field Sta-
Official website tion, which includes a visitors center, which is located 23
miles (37 km) north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Range can
The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is a protected be accessed from U.S. 95 North.
wildlife refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife The Desert NWR contains six major mountain ranges,
Service, located north of Las Vegas, Nevada, in north- including the Sheep Range, with heights up to 10,000 feet
western Clark and southwestern Lincoln counties, with (3,000 m) and valleys around 2,500 feet (800 m). Annu-
much of its land area lying within the southeastern sec- al rainfall in the range varies from less than four inches
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Desert National Wildlife Refuge
(102 mm) in the valleys to over fifteen inches (381 mm) riding are all popular activities enjoyed by refuge vis-
on the mountain peaks. itors. Limited hunting for bighorn sheep is permitted.
Perpetuating the desert bighorn sheep and its habitat Please contact the Refuge Manager for additional infor-
is the most important objective of the range. The Range mation.
actively improves bighorn habitats by developing new Although it is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in
water sources and maintaining and improving existing the Lower 48 states, there are eleven larger ones in the
ones. Numerous other wildlife species share the range state of Alaska.
with bighorns.
In addition to wildlife the Range also boasts an abun-
dance of plant communities. Plant communities and
See also
wildlife found on the Range vary with altitude and cli- • Mormon Well Spring
mate. Most of these plant species can be seen while dri-
ving the Morman Well Road (which can be accessed from
the Corn Creek Field Station). The desert shrub commu-
References
nity, composed of creosote bush and white bursage are [1] Green, Jason C. (2007-11-16). "Groups criticize
the dominant shrubs in the hottest, lowest elevations of energy corridors". Las Vegas Review-Journal
Desert National Wildlife Range. Above the valley floor, (Stephens Media).
Mojave yucca and cactus become abundant. At the upper [2] USFWS Annual Lands Report, 30 September 2007
edge of the desert shrub communities, between approx- This article incorporates public domain material from web-
imately 4,200 to 6,000 feet (1300 to 1800 m), black-brush sites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Ser-
and Joshua tree are dominant. Above 6,000 feet (1800 m) vice.
desert woodlands, composed of single-leaf pinyon, Utah
juniper, and big sagebrush begin. The coniferous forest External links
communities begin around 7,000 feet (2100 m). From
7,000 to 9,000 feet (2100 to 2700 m) Ponderosa pine and • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Desert National
white fir are the dominant trees. Near 10,000 feet (3,000 Wildlife Range Page
m) where the growing seasons are the shortest, the only • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Desert National
trees surviving are bristlecone pines. Wildlife Refuge Complex
Numerous recreational opportunities are available on
the Range. Camping, hiking, backpacking, and horseback
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Desert_National_Wildlife_Refuge&oldid=465551678"
Categories:
• IUCN Category IV
• Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex
• National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada
• Protected areas of Clark County, Nevada
• Protected areas of Lincoln County, Nevada
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