Death Valley Natural History Association E-Newsletter
Death Valley NP
Help Identify Vehicle in Illegal Off-Road Driving Incident
Park officials are asking for the public’s help to identify those responsible for illegal off-road driving on Eureka Dunes on December 17. More than five miles of unauthorized vehicle tracks damaged at least 74 rare and sensitive desert plants, including species found nowhere else in the world. Officials say the vehicle traveled close enough to other rare plants that underground root damage may also have occurred. Anyone with information is encouraged to report it to the National Park Service tip line at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, by email at [email protected], or by calling 888-653-0009
South Badwater Road Reopens
Death Valley National Park has reopened South Badwater Road as of January 31 after months of closure due to extensive flash flood damage. The southern 45-mile stretch of the road had been closed since August 25, with additional storms in the fall and winter causing further deterioration. National Park Service crews removed large amounts of rock and sand and reused the material to reinforce damaged road edges. Although the road is open, drivers may still encounter uneven pavement, loose gravel, eroded shoulders, and short drop-offs. Visitors are advised to drive carefully and remain alert as ongoing work continues to improve road safety.
Salt Creek Boardwalk Reopens
The Salt Creek Boardwalk has reopened, providing a safe, wheelchair-accessible way for visitors to view the rare Salt Creek pupfish while protecting their sensitive habitat. The boardwalk, parking area, and nearby facilities were rebuilt after flood damage from recent storms. The new design, developed by the NPS and the Federal Highway Administration, is intended to better withstand future flooding. New interpretive signs about the pupfish and their environment will be added in the coming months.
Ash Meadows NWR
The Ancient Waters of Ash Meadows
Beneath Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge flows an ancient groundwater system that began forming thousands of years ago, long before the surrounding desert existed as it does today. Rain and snowmelt from distant mountain ranges slowly move underground, sometimes taking tens of thousands of years to reach the surface. When this water emerges at Ash Meadows’ springs, it creates stable wetlands in an otherwise harsh desert environment. These conditions have allowed plants and animals to evolve in isolation, making Ash Meadows one of the most biologically unique places in the world. Many of the species supported by the springs are found nowhere else on Earth. Protecting this ancient groundwater system is critical to ensuring the long-term survival of these rare species and the globally significant ecosystem they depend on.
DVNHA Store
Featured Products
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Death Valley Natural History Association | dvnha.org
Education ● Preservation ●
Mission
Preserving and interpreting the natural and cultural resources of the Death Valley region in cooperation with our government partners:
Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
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