Death Valley Natural History Association June E-Newsletter
Happy Birthday Ash Meadows!
41 Years of Protection and Restoration
Written By: Shannon Hurn, AMNWR Refuge Manager
Last year Ash Meadows celebrated with a 40th Anniversary party hosted at the Visitor Center. This year, on June 18th, we celebrate more quietly, reflecting on what it takes to protect a species stronghold in the Mojave Desert. In 1984 when Ash Meadows was newly established as a Refuge by a land grant to USFWS from The Nature Conservancy, the 23,000 acres needed major restoration efforts to reclaim this space as a haven for the rich diversity of species still persisting here. Over the last 41 years approximately 50% of the Refuge has undergone restoration efforts. These efforts have resulted in the reestablishment of a variety of habitats, from wetlands and alkaline meadows to desert uplands. Warm Springs, Tubbs, Fairbanks, Jackrabbit, and several other spring systems again support rare and endemic species, including the iconic Spring-loving centaury and two species of pupfish closely related to those in Devils Hole, the Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish and the Warm Springs pupfish. Ash Meadows NWR’s continued success stands as a testament to the dedication of the USFWS, Tribal communities, partner groups and devotees of the Mojave Desert working together to ensure that this rare place remains preserved for future generations.
Death Valley NP Updates
Free Entrance on Juneteenth
Death Valley National Park will offer free entrance on Thursday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Superintendent Mike Reynolds states, “Even though it is extremely hot, June can be a great time to visit Death Valley National Park. It’s not crowded, the views are great, and a fantastic experience can be had!” For a safe experience, stick to higher elevations like Wildrose Peak. Park rangers advise visitors to stay close to air-conditioned vehicles, avoid direct sun, drink plenty of water, and eat salty snacks.
Ostrich Escapees Returned to Owners
Written By: Nathan Steele, DVNHA
Recent visitors to the park may have been left wondering if they were in Death Valley NP or perhaps an African safari as they spotted one of a few ostriches that escaped from a nearby farm and found themselves traipsing through one of the country’s most iconic destinations. The lost ostriches have since been returned to their owners, but not before several park visitors got to catch a glimpse of the out-of-place animals. Escaping from the Amargosa area, the ostriches were soon spotted at some of the area’s most popular stops–the quaint ghost town of Death Valley Junction, further along Highway 190 near the park entrance sign, and even going through the scenic Echo Canyon.
Interestingly, ostriches are not the only non-native African animals to find their way into the park. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, miners brought and then released burros into the area. Today, their descendants number in the thousands, and the National Park Service works with Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue to remove some of those burros from the park so that they can be adopted and properly cared for. After all, in a place as extreme as Death Valley NP, the health of the environment hangs in a delicate balance. Native plants and animals help to keep the environment in good health, whereas non-natives and invasive species can cause damage to pristine wilderness areas, which make up 70 percent of Death Valley NP. So, for the sake of the sake of the ostriches as well as the sake of the park, they are now back in better hands.
Two Vehicle Fires Extinguished by Bystanders
In two recent incidents at Death Valley National Park, quick-thinking bystanders successfully extinguished vehicle fires before they could spread. On May 20, a motorcycle caught fire due to a fuel leak. With the park’s fire crew responding to another emergency, the rider and responding rangers used extinguishers, a garden hose, and a fire hose to put out the flames. Just days later, on May 24 at Dantes View, visitors doused an engine fire using water and ice from their coolers. Thanks to their fast response, damage was limited. Last year, a similar fire at the same location destroyed a vehicle completely, highlighting the importance of early action and situational awareness when visiting the Death Valley region.
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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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