WSF: New Water for Nevada Desert Bighorns

The project was spearheaded by WSF Affiliate, Fraternity for the Desert Bighorn (FDB) in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Funding was provided by WSF and the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund ($25,000), and FDB.

Nevada is the driest state in the nation. Before the January 29 project date, this region had gone more than 270 days without precipitation (either rain or snow). The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is home to diverse flora and fauna, including desert bighorn sheep. Man-made water catchment guzzler sites provide critically-needed water for desert bighorn sheep and a host of other desert-dwelling wildlife species.

“This is good boots-on-the-ground conservation work,” said Kevin Hurley, WSF’s Vice President for Conservation. “From need assessment, planning, funding, and execution, it’s true collaborative conservation in action. All this region needs now is rain.”

The water catchment guzzler was entirely constructed on-site by volunteers and consists of a 3,200 square-foot collection apron, four 2,300-gallon water storage tanks, and a metal drinker basin. All materials and personnel were airlifted onto the site by helicopter.

“This is a roadless, difficult to access area,” Hurley explained. “Everything, building materials, quick-set concrete, and necessary tools were airdropped at the guzzler site beforehand, followed by volunteers and agency personnel. Remarkably, the entire project was completed in a 12-hour day. WSF thanks NDOW and FDB for their project readiness, and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund for sponsoring this guzzler project.”

Nevada is home to an estimated 9,000+ desert bighorn sheep. Outside of predators, the most significant contributing factor to healthy and growing populations is the availability of water.

###

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Mont., was founded in 1977 by wild sheep conservationists and enthusiasts. With a membership of more than 8,500 worldwide, WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep and other mountain wildlife and their habitats. WSF has raised and expended more than $135 million on wild sheep habitat and population enhancements, education, and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe, and Asia to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep On the Mountain”®. These and other efforts have increased bighorn sheep populations in North America from historic lows in the 1950-60s of 25,000 to more than 85,000 today. www.wildsheepfoundation.org .