I had just two encounters with him and, of course, at this time when he has just passed, they come vividly to memory.
He promptly responded to a letter I sent him in September, 1992, complaining about Nevada’s Open Range laws which make it possible for ranchers to infringe upon private property and graze their cattle wherever they want. A lesser politician might have shot back a form letter. But Senator Reid openly shared observations on the situation and clearly saw the dilemma: while acknowledging ranchers’ need to survive and pay grazing fees, he also saw the need for reform in the light of: “. . . changes in population and expansion of populated areas. . . ” He stood ready to help and contact the BLM on my behalf. He said he sought a way to “. . . reform the grazing system without destroying the industry”. Today from the perspective of more experience, I can appreciate how frank, open and accessible he was.
My other interaction with him was a local meet and greet at which I buttonholed him and pressed upon him our TrailSafe brochures about reforming or banning commercial and/or recreational trapping on our public lands. He instantly grasped the point and said, in effect, the trappers have to get out of the 19th century mentality.
Here’s a quote from his letter to me:
“I am very concerned about the environment, as attested to by my work with the Nevada Wilderness bill, the creation of the Great Basin National Park, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area in southern Nevada, numerous land acquisition projects that protect sensitive areas, and my support for grazing reform.”
True to his word, here from the Las Vegas Sun Dec. 28, 2021 are but a few of the environmental victories he brought about: . . .
“Along the way, Reid’s public lands agenda helped take Nevada from 67,000 acres of wilderness to more than 4 million acres of new parks and open spaces when he left office.
“One of Reid’s first acts was establishing the Great Basin National Park — the state’s first national park — and securing other new wilderness areas in Nevada, including restoring the clarity of Lake Tahoe.”
And. . . quoting Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, on behalf of the Friends Board of Directors and Staff:
“His devotion, skill and tenacity over decades led to adding sixty-nine Wilderness Areas to Nevada’s original one. He also secured protection for Great Basin National Park, the Sloan Canyon and Black Rock Desert–High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Areas, the Tule Springs Fossil Beds, Gold Butte and Basin and Range National Monuments. He leaves a magnificent legacy of protected areas in Nevada for all future generations.”
Senator Harry Reid led the way for environmental protection in Nevada. He intuitively understood our love of wildlife and wild spaces; let his spirit guide and protect our efforts.
Five foot snow drift December 2021 – Courtesy Caron Tayloe
Caron Tayloe is a lifelong Washoe County resident who has been a wildlife watcher since childhood. Here she inspires us to make the most of this magical season.
Hello, Nevada Wildlife Watchers! Happy New Year to all and thank you for all you have done for wildlife in the past year. Here is to the next year of continuing old battles and the beginnings new battles at local and State levels.
One way we can get ready for these upcoming (and current) battles is by getting out to appreciate nature no matter what the weather. Sometimes being reminded what you are fighting for is quite the motivator. Wherever you are this Nevada winter it is a classic time to watch the comings and goings of wildlife. In the North many species of birds have migrated south or west but several species stay every year and show up at backyard bird feeders and roam the forests and valley landscapes for food. In addition, birds that spend summers at higher elevations have come down to the valleys for a little less weather drama. There are bird watching outings with several conservation groups and you may have to strap on those snowshoes! Deer and coyotes are prevalent in neighborhoods bordering public lands.
Getting out of the towns makes watching for the tracks of mountain lions, bobcats, elk, and antelope a fun pastime. If you are lucky you may actually see one of those glorious beings.
In the Southern part of our State there are even more opportunities for wildlife watching through conservation group participation and through the outdoor opportunities available due to a milder winter. Many species of birds stay local and some come in from the North to spend their winters in Clark, Lincoln, and the southern part of Nye counties. In Las Vegas you do not have to go very far to see all kinds of wildlife since some come from afar to settle in at the parks. If you want an amazing experience check out the Clark County Wetlands Park. What an inspiration and an opportunity to refresh yourself in nature close to home.
We wildlife watchers distinguish ourselves from the wildlife killers because we know wildlife should come first and, for us, it does. We are ethical participants, being careful not to disturb the order of things when we are out and about. Unfortunately, when it comes to making wildlife watching easier and safer, Nevada is very far behind other states, so wildlife watchers must take care when out on public lands. Trapping of some furbearer mammals exists year ‘round but trapping is especially prevalent this time of the year since furbearer coats are thicker, and the State allows for other species like bobcats to be trapped. What to do if you come across a trap, or worse, an animal in a trap, is a subject for another article. In the meantime; be aware of your surroundings and the limitations of your vehicle, wear layers, and bring water.
Courtesy Dr. Don Molde: a regular visitor to his back yard…bird feeding area
Annoula Wylderich has been an animal advocate since 2008, campaigning for ALL animals. She is the founder of the Vegas-based grassroots organization, Animal Protection Affiliates. She has been Senior District Leader for HSUS, State Director for Animal Wellness Action, and board member of the NSPCA. She has been recognized for her advocacy by both the HSUS and PETA.
Elephant skin boot at SCI convention
In January 2022, Safari Club International will be holding their annual convention in Las Vegas. During their last two events, it was observed that there were violations of anti-trafficking laws, which are both a state and federal offense. Yet, no one has been held accountable thus far. When these offenses were brought to the attention of various agencies, it seems no one was quite sure who should be doing the enforcing.
Perhaps it would be prudent for all levels of law enforcement, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the FBI, and local police departments to communicate with one another and collaborate to ensure that violations of this nature don’t continue and that those who do break the law are duly charged. Laws are good deterrents, but useless if they aren’t enforced.
With so much of our iconic wildlife at risk due to habitat loss, poaching, canned hunting, trophy hunting, climate change, and illegal trade, it’s inherent upon us to do what we can to protect it for future generations to appreciate. Furthermore, there is an ecological balance that all species contribute towards. Upsetting that balance eventually impacts humans, as well.
The question before the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners (NBWC) on November 5, 2021 was whether to amend the state’s administrative code to ban coyote killing contests. The vote was 5-4 against banning these events, disappointing wildlife watchers. On the more positive side, this was the closest vote yet from NBWC on this question. Wildlife advocates have long objected to these contests as inhumane, unsporting and dangerous.
This is what happens to “varmints”
NBWC Commissioners distance themselves from the piles of wasted bodies dumped in the desert, because Commissioners identify themselves as ethical hunters. There is a glaring difference between controlled, regulated ethical hunting in Nevada and unregulated contest hunts. Much as they hasten to make clear they do not participate, five Commissioners saw fit to allow these gory events to continue. So what explains four Commissioners voting for the amendment? The answer lies in growing public awareness and condemnation of contest hunts. Per Project Coyote: “In 2018, Project Coyote and the Humane Society of the United States co-founded the National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests, a growing coalition of more than 50 national and state organizations working together to bring an end to wildlife contests, derbies, and tournaments in the U.S. Together, they have successfully enacted prohibitions on killing contests in eight states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington.”
In the face of this growing public sentiment and activism, Tony Wasley, Nevada Department of Wildlife Director, said: (per Amy Alonzo, Reno Gazette Journal Nov. 6, 2021) “Hunting should not be a competition. . . If it’s not good for the image, it’s not good for the future. . . My biggest fear around this issue is for the future of conservation, for the way we, as ethical sportsmen and women, are viewed by a changing society. . . ” And it appears four Commissioners agreed.
What’s wrong with wildlife killing contests?
Activists have repeated our objections so often in letters to editors, in testimony, in emails to NBWC, in proposed bills, and in an earlier edition of this newsletter Also, comprehensive information is posted at Project Coyote. To spare repetition, the litany of the many reasons to ban these contests is not repeated in this report. To take action, Project Coyote presents a petition and a host of ways to join this nationwide movement. To help the effort in Nevada, alerts will be posted in this newsletter as they occur.
Unlike some of our previous efforts to ban killing contests, the 2021 hearings got excellent media attention. Refer to these for thorough coverage of the hearing:
In September, 2021, the Reno City Council joined animal advocates and other Nevada public bodies in the condemnation of wildlife-killing contests, a long tradition in the Silver State. “These contests are heinous, animal cruelty issues,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.” “We will not tolerate cruelty to animals. These contests are inappropriate.”
Earlier, in March, 2021, the Clark County Board of Commissioners issued a resolution supporting a ban on wildlife killing contests.
What’s Next?
There is no middle ground with this issue. Since our initial petition to NBWC in 2015, another hearing in 2016, and NBWC deliberations on March 20, August 6 and November 5 of 2021, wildlife advocates have gained determination and public support. The problem can be viewed as a culture war in which NBWC does not reflect morals and values of current day Nevadans. These values are too precious to compromise. Will the legislature be more receptive?
Sadly, time passes, spent in debate, while coyotes and other vulnerable animals pay the price.
The cui ui (pronounced “KWEE-wee”), is a lake suckerfish species and living remnant from the last ice age that occurs only in Pyramid Lake in northern Nevada. The fish is highly revered by the Paiute people and is also carefully protected by the staff of the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tina Nappe is a member of and has served on the boards of several local conservation organizations, as well as representing the State Board of Wildlife Commissioners as the conservationist from 1979-1994. Here she recounts the many factors which led to passage of AB660: Nevada’s endangered species law.This legislation prevailed thanks to Tina Nappe’s dedicated work on behalf of Nevada’s wildlife, combined with efforts by an array of individuals and groups.
Present at the signing of the Endangered Species Bill AB 660. (Seated) Governor Paul Laxalt; Tina Nappe, Endangered Species Committee; Assemblyman Roy Torvinen, Sponsor of the Bill. Standing left to right: Bob Alves, Audubon Society, Assemblyman John Homer, Chairman Fish and Game Committee; Assemblyman Paul May, who helped push the bill; Dr. Fred Ryser and Peter Herlan, members of the Endangered Species Committee.
“The economic growth of the State of Nevada has been attended with some serious and unfortunate consequences. Nevada has experienced the extermination or extirpation of some of her native species of animals, including fish and vertebrate wildlife. Serious losses have occurred and are occurring in other species of native wild animals with important economic, educational, historical, political, recreational, scientific and aesthetic values”. AB 660. Section1. Chapter 503 of NRS
In 1969 the Nevada Legislature passed the first state based endangered species law in the nation. How did an endangered species bill in a rural state like Nevada with less than a 500,000 population in 1970 get into the legislature let alone pass out of it? Several issues were converging. Nevada’s population was growing. Clark County, (Las Vegas ) overtook Washoe County’s population in the 1960 census. The two counties represented over 60% of Nevada’s population. Wildlife issues, advocates, and related natural resource agencies were gaining more knowledge, traction and visibility.
The changing perspective and stresses on natural resources were issues which came to the forefront in the 1969 Legislative session. Several bills may have caused a distraction from the innocuous endangered species bill. For instance, the 55th Legislative Session would be the last for the then Nevada Fish and Game Commission. Under SB530, the 17 member Commission was being replaced by a nine member Commission with four of the nine representing Clark and Washoe County. A 17 person advisory board, a representative from each county, would advise the Commission. The major change, however, was to separate policy set by the Commission from operations under the newly formed Nevada Department of Fish and Game.
The Commission had prepared a major “modernization” bill updating language, technical issues, and functions of the agency in SB533. And then there was a fee bill, AB574, with increases to underwrite the agency’s expanding operations.
Lahontan Cutthroat trout
On the water management side was another slew of bills. For Nevada to speak with one voice on Lake Tahoe development, SB 32 brought Carson, Douglas, Washoe Counties and the state under one roof to negotiate with California. Because the headwaters of the Carson, Walker, and Truckee rivers were in California, AB800 was passed to unite the counties and the State dependent on the continued flow of those waters entering Nevada. The most critical legislation, however, was AB60, the California-Nevada Compact, which represented years of negotiation between the two states and the federal government over the use and rights to the Truckee River, which eventually terminates in Pyramid Lake, and which serves as the primary water source for the expanding communities of Reno and Sparks. If passed by Nevada and California, the legislation would be submitted to Congress for ratification. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the Department of Interior felt tribal concerns were not addressed. The Sierra Club and League of Women Voters supported the Tribe. A significant concern were two fish species, the Lahontan Cutthroat trout and the cui ui; both were dependent on Pyramid Lake. The Lahontan Cutthroat trout was also dependent on spawning upstream in the Truckee River. Nevada water law granted water rights based on commercial and municipal use, not to protect wildlife. The Pyramid Lake Tribe had a minimal water right; in many years most of the water was diverted to Lahontan Valley in conformance with the nation’s first Reclamation Project authorized in 1903. As a result cui ui and the Lahontan Cutthroat trout were already listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Law of 1966. Should the Nevada Legislature approve the bill and the Governor sign it, the Compact faced environmental hurdles in Congress.
Devil’s Hole Pupfish by Agent Laufeyson
In southern Nevada another “fish” story was heating up. The Desert Fishes Council was founded in 1969 partly to protect the Devil’s Hole Pupfish in Ash Meadows, Nye County, Nevada. The Council’s membership then as now was packed with ichthyologists determined to protect their beloved fish species. Cappaert, a land developer, began extensive agriculture development in Ash Meadows threatening a drawdown of ground water by drilling wells. In fact one well placed in a spring, extirpated the fish population. Devil’s Hole pupfish depend on a shallow algae covered ledge. If water drops below the ledge, the fish die. Fortunately, in 1952, the Devil’s Hole pupfish site was made an adjunct of Death Valley National Monument. Therefore the federal government on behalf of the Department of Interior could protest loss of water and go to court. The state sided with Cappaert but eventually lost. The case reaffirmed the Winter’s Doctrine, giving the federal government the right to sufficient water to protect the purposes for which the park or refuge was established. Many thanks to the brave federal employees, including Jim Yoakum and James Broom who were willing to risk their careers to protect the Devil’s Hole pupfish.
The Nevada State Legislature addressed the state’s disregard for wildlife by passing AB278 which declared “recreation as a beneficial use of water.”[2] This new provision allowed Nevada’s wildlife agency for the first time to protest water development infringing on wildlife values wherever water rights were filed, transferred, or otherwise altered.
Key to an endangered species law for Nevada were Dr. Richard G. Miller and his wife Maya who first came to Nevada in 1946. Dr. Miller had completed his Ph D thesis in 1951 on “The Natural History of Lake Tahoe Fishes”. He briefly served as Director of the Nevada State Museum. In 1961 he established a nonprofit foundation called Foresta Institute for Ocean and Mountain Studies (now defunct) in Washoe Valley on the grounds of historic Washoe Pines Ranch, once the home of writer Will James, and later a divorce ranch. Miller served on the Survival Service Commission of the IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The IUCN was developing a Red Book of the world’s endangered species. On the national level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was involved in the same task.(Its first Redbook was published in 1973). Miller, wanting an endangered species program focused on Nevada wildlife, hired me in 1966. I was a neighbor, a UNR graduate in English literature, and I occasionally brought him fish to identify in low water years from Ophir Creek or the Carson River.
One aspect of my new job was to create a rare and endangered species redbook for Nevada. I established an Endangered Species Committee of specialists.There was Jim Yoakum, BLM’s first wildlife biologist, and Peter Herlan, a lepidopterist, who worked for the Nevada State Museum. Then there was Dr. Fritz Ryser, professor at UNR, who, among other subjects, taught ornithology, was an early member of Lahontan Audubon Society, and eventually published Birds of the Great Basin in 1985. Dr. Jim Deacon, an ichthyologist at UNLV, focused on endemic fish.[3]
Using the committee’s expertise, I identified potential candidates, primarily Nevada’s unique fish species, developed status sheets, similar to those used nationally, created posters, postcards, newsletters and gave presentations. It was Dr. Miller who suggested a Nevada Endangered Species Act.
Lahontan Audubon Society members Bob Alves and Dr. John Davis contacted Assemblyman Roy Torvinen who was a Republican Assemblyman from Washoe County and became the sole sponsor for AB60. He received help from Assemblyman Paul May, a Democrat, from Clark County.
Questioning the legislation was Nevada Fish and Game Commission Director Frank Groves, who felt he had a full plate already. The legislation represented new responsibilities for a slew of new species, just as the Department was still learning about the game species. The Department of Agriculture opposed the protection of insects, concerned the law would interfere with pesticide management. Therefore, the insect provision was dropped. But rare and endangered plants assigned to the Division of Forestry were retained. So was the provision for establishing Nevada’s first falconry regulations. Governor Paul Laxalt, a Republican, signed the legislation.
The Commission outlined the need for the new law in their publication Nevada Outdoors, observing that:
“warm spring fishes are endangered by introduction of tropical fish, lowering water tables or disruption of pools. Endemic butterflies are being wiped out by land clearance…. Hawk populations are declining because of out of state falconers are taking advantage of Nevada’s lack of regulations. Nevada already had about six extinct species and ten endangered species of fish. Under the legislation all raptors are protected.”
Then silence. Frank Groves, then Director of the Nevada Department of Fish and Game (NDFG), pointed out that no funding had been provided with the new responsibilities His federal funds from Pittman-Robertson (PR) (1937), Dingell Johnson (DJ) Fund (1950) and license income from sportsmen were limited to game species at that time.
How were we to fund this new program? While public interest in wildlife was broadening to more than game species, funding for that interest was not forthcoming.Using general funds, taxes collected to underwrite local and state government services, for wildlife management was a new idea and not a welcome one nor viewed as necessary with sportsmen underwriting wildlife management costs. State and local governments had many basic responsibilities and never enough money for the health, safety, education and well-being of its citizens.
Our legislative friends, Assemblymen Roy Torvinen and Paul May, came to the rescue again. A request to access General Funds for one position with meager travel expenses was included in the NDFG budget in 1973 and was approved. The next step was to advertise the position There was not a rush to apply. Current staff were concerned the position would only last during the biennium. But one person did apply, Bob Oakes. Since the program was new, Bob decided to focus on birds of prey, a focus which fit into his responsibilities for developing falconry regulations. Short of travel funds, Bob sometimes hitched a ride with staff making big game surveys by air to look for nests. In 1977, Bob left Nevada for a job in Wyoming where before he retired he was supervisor of Wyoming Fish and Game Nongame program with a personal specialty in raptors. The small General Fund allocation has continued and was eventually augmented by Teaming with Wildlife grants and general funds for other wildlife purposes. The nongame/biodiversity program has continued to evolve embracing more of Nevada’s 890 species.
Peregrine falcon
[1]This article is based on recollection, some retained documents, and a little research. It is not intended as the last word but maybe as preliminary musings leaving deep research to others.
[2]For instance, Dr. Richard Miller filed for a water right in Devil’s Hole in 1948 “to raise fish” presumably for a commercial venture. With “recreation” one could file a water application on behalf of wildlife. In 1988 under the Blue Lakes case, state engineer Pete Morros successfully went to court upholding the use of water in place for wildlife and recreation.
[3] The Commission’s first fisheries biologist and later Chief of Fisheries, Tom Trelease, among other duties focused on saving the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. Dale Lockard, another fisheries biologist, attended Desert Fishes Council meetings. They were always willing to help.
Featured image: A pika is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal. With short limbs, very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative, the rabbit, but with short, rounded ears. – Wikipedia The most rigorously objective scientists have been heard to call them cute.
Therese Campbell was appointed to the Clark County CAB in 2019. She is retired from a career in allied healthcare and has lived most of her life in Nevada. What is a CAB? Here she explains.
“ Think globally; act locally.” — Unknown Wise Person
One of the most effective ways that we can help wildlife here in Nevada is to get involved with our County Citizens’ Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife—CAB for short. Each county in Nevada has its own CAB, numbering from five to seven members depending on the population of the particular county. CAB members are appointed by their county board of commissioners and serve a three-year term.
Nevada’s CABs act as liaisons between citizens and the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners (NBWC): the CABs’ main purpose is to take public input on various issues regarding wildlife, conservation, habitat, etc., and then in turn advise NBWC on possible rules, regulations, and actions in response to those issues.
I am currently starting my third year on the Clark County CAB in the capacity of advocate for the interests of the general public, and I can truly say that serving on this CAB has been a great honor and one of the most enlightening, interesting, and educational experiences of my life.
How do we get involved with our CABs and with NBWC? We start by attending CAB meetings and NBWC meetings whenever possible. Go to your county government’s website and find the Citizens’ Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife’s email address. Send an email asking to be added to their email list and do the same for NBWC.
NBWC routinely broadcasts many of its meetings live on YouTube and keeps an archive of recorded meetings. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBWC has also been offering remote participation in their meetings through ZOOM, and some of the CABs (such as Clark County CAB) have been doing the same.
The CABs and NBWC always have a segment or several segments of time allotted for public comment and they also receive input through emails, letters, and calls. All of these communications from citizens are entered into the public record. Even if we are unable to attend meetings in person, we still have the power to voice our concerns.
Some suggestions for effectively communicating with your CAB, the NBWC, and fellow members of the public:
A) If you are giving comments, whether in writing or in person, be brief and polite.
B) Focus on the issue and practice self-control. Sometimes people get emotional which may cause a similar reaction in others. Stay cool, calm, and courteous.
I believe that Nevada’s CABs have excellent potential as agents of positive change leading to improved conditions for wildlife populations and habitat, thus enhancing the quality of outdoor recreation for Nevada residents.
