natural resources

CARSON CITY— The Carson River Coalition invites you to the 2017 Carson River Watershed Management Forum. The Carson River Watershed is truly “A Lifeline Connecting Our Communities.”

CARSON CITY, NV – In the wake of national issues involving lead in drinking water, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection secured U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funding to begin a voluntary testing program for Nevada elementary schools.

Since 2001, more than 300,000 trees have been recycled throughout Nevada thanks to the help of several Christmas tree recycling programs, thousands of volunteers and many community sponsors.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Sip hot chocolate and enjoy holiday treats while learning about the origins of traditions like Santa Claus, candy canes and Christmas trees. This holiday-themed presentation will also include historic Christmas scenes from around Northern Nevada and mining towns, including Virginia City and Tonopah.

The Nevada Excellence in Mine Reclamation Awards for 2016 were presented on this fall at the annual Nevada Mining Association Convention at Lake Tahoe, Nev. These awards are presented to companies who have made exceptional accomplishments in the restoration and preservation of Nevada’s environment. The awardees were:

The House and Senate have agreed to include the bipartisan Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in the final bicameral Water Resources Development Act, titled the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller announced Monday.

Because of fires currently burning in the southeastern part of the U.S., a report has been delayed into October's Little Valley Fire in Washoe Valley that destroyed 23 homes, 17 outbuildings, burned more than 2,200 acres and was caused by a prescribed fire.

Discover the past and present of Washoe Lake State Park, explore the sand dunes by the light of the moon and celebrate winter solstice with a leisurely stargazing hike through the park.

CARSON CITY, Nev. – John H. Snow, principal at Reno-based environmental engineering and science firm McGinley & Associates in Reno, has joined the board of directors for the Nevada Builders Alliance.

Fire investigators say the Oct. 14 Little Valley Fire, which destroyed 23 homes, 17 outbuildings and chewed more than 2,200 acres was caused by a prescribed fire conducted earlier in the month by the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced the appointment Friday of Bradley Crowell, as director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, effective Dec. 12. Interim Director Kay Scherer will resume her position as Deputy Director of the Department.

More than 64,000 students are expected to gather this week in Indianapolis for the national Future Farmers of America convention, competing in a multitude of events, and Carson High School CTE student, Holly Strasser, 17, will be one of only 52 students to compete in extemporaneous speaking at the event.

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev. – Enjoy an evening of old-fashioned Halloween fun at Fort Churchill State Historic Park. This family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities including harvest games on the museum lawn, a scavenger hunt around the fort ruins and pumpkin carving and scarecrow building contest.

UPDATE 6:22PM: The Little Valley Fire has burned more than 2,000 acres and 22 homes. The fire is burning west of Franktown Road, moving north toward Bowers Mansion and Joy Lake Road. The Unified Command transitioned to the Sierra Front Type 3 Incident Management Team at 5 p.m.

Changes in weather patterns and smoke issues that have brought up concerns about air quality and public health have forced a decision among forestry officials to bring an early end to a prescribed fire burning northwest of Carson City.

Gov. Brian Sandoval has named his legal counsel and the former head of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Public Utilities Commission.Joe Reynolds will take over as chairman of the PUC while Le ...

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Tuesday the appointments of General Counsel Joe Reynolds to serve as chairman of the Public Utilities Commission and Leo Drozdoff as acting-Commissioner effective Oct. 3.

Reynolds and Drozdoff will fill the vacancies of Commissioners David Noble and Alaina Burtenshaw, respectively.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, several state agencies are reminding Nevada residents the importance of planning and preparing for any emergency. Specifically, these public safety agencies urge citizens to be aware of specific needs they may have if an emergency strikes.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016. The bipartisan legislation provides federal, state and local partners important tools to reduce wildfire threats, improve water clarity, jumpstart innovative infrastructure projects, and combat invasive species.

The 2016 pine nut harvest season kicks off on lands managed by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it is moving forward with the process to list a portion of the old Anaconda Copper Mine site in Lyon County to its National Priorities List. The announcement is the first step in a process to make the site eligible to receive federal funding for a long-term, permanent cleanup.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park in Silver Springs is pleased to announce its second annual amateur photo contest. Visitors to Fort Churchill and Buckland Station are invited to submit photos of scenery, plants, wildlife and cultural resources found within the park. The top three winners will receive a Nevada State Parks Passport Permit, good for unlimited free entrance to any Nevada State Park for an entire year.

Join a Park Ranger and fellow “Bark Rangers” on an easy 2.2 mile hike around Spooner Lake. All dogs are welcome as long as they are social and on a leash. Meet in the parking lot near the restrooms.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Please bring enough water for you and your dog, and be prepared to pick up after your dog. The hike is limited to 15 participants. Please sign up by calling 775-749-5980 or by emailing spooner.ranger@gmail.com.

WHEN: Monday, September 12, 9:00 a.m. and Saturday, September 24, 9:00 a.m.

President Barack Obama was cheered enthusiastically Wednesday at the 20th Lake Tahoe Summit, an annual gathering of federal and state leaders from California and Nevada who are dedicated to protecting the Sierra's crown jewel.

"I've never been here," President Obama told the crowd Wednesday at Harvey's Outdoor Arena in Stateline. "Its not that I didn't want to come, but nobody invited me."

The President quipped he's sure to return, "though my transportation won't be as nice."

Washoe Lake State Park north of Carson City is offering two interpretive programs during the month of September, including a full moon hike and an astronomy program.

A sagebrush ecosystem conservation program that will guide management of more than 1.5 million acres of habitat in Nevada, protecting both sensitive ecosystems and mining interests was announced Tuesday by Gov. Brian Sandoval and federal land managers.

DAYTON, Nev. – Explore the history of the Pony Express and how it was significant in helping to save the Union. Chautauqua Kim Harris will deliver a 45 minute performance, followed by Q&A on the history of the Pony Express and its most famous riders, such as Pony Bob Haslam and Bronco Charlie Miller, who lived here in Northern Nevada.

CARSON CITY, NV – The Nevada Recycles program has partnered with The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas to support a statewide recycled art contest to increase Nevadans’ awareness and interest in recycling.

Entrants must be Nevada residents and projects must be composed of used recyclable materials. Submission of an entry form and photos of artwork are due by October 23, 2016.

Western communities are facing effects of a warming climate with slower and earlier snowmelt reducing streamflows and possibly the amount of water reaching reservoirs used for drinking water and agriculture, according to a study published in July.

The Cooperative Extension and 4-H Office held its first ever Youth Summer Day Camp. Lindsay Chichester, Extension Educator says, “We have actively been working on creating awareness about 4-H and Extension, and what we can provide to both youth and adults in our community.