wildlife

Hello fellow anglers, and a very "Merry Fishmas" to you all. Although we have a lull in the fishing due to Mother Nature, some anglers have been getting out to try the waters. As many of us look forward to opening day at Topaz Lake on Jan. 1, 2020, I must tell you of a big change this year.

The Nature Conservancy in Nevada, in partnership with the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage and the Desert Research Institute, recently completed the Nevada Wetland Rapid Assessment Method, a draft assessment protocal developed as a product of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded to NDNH.

The days keep moving along, ever closer to the weekend and huge helpings of Christmas holiday activities. Thursday events around the capital city include a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, an afternoon hike hosted by Muscle Powered, a meeting with the developer of the proposed Andersen Ranch, a presentation: "Feathers and Furs of the Carson Valley" at the River Fork Ranch, an "End to Prohibition Party" at Gather restaurant, and more.

Join local outdoor and birding enthusiasts for a informative programs on the lives of five local Owls by Rob Lowry and Corvids (Jays, Magpies, Crows/Ravens and Nutcrackers) by Jim Woods.

Both presenters will also discuss the National Audubon Christmas Bird Counts: Dec.15 or Carson City and January 5th for Minden.

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, along with California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the USDA Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin, weather, conditions and staffing permitted.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is excited to announce that Zachary Ormsby has been hired as the new Program Manager for the Nevada Conservation Districts Program. As NCDP’s Program Manager, Ormsby will work with Nevada’s 28 conservation districts to help advance natural resource conservation and management throughout the State’s diverse rural and urban landscapes.

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, along with California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the USDA Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations over the next few weeks in the Tahoe Basin — weather conditions and staffing permitted.

Partly sunny skies and cool temperatures are expected Thursday with a warmup in time for the weekend. Events ahead around the capital city include a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, a discussion on holiday stress and dementia offered by Carson Tahoe Expressions Memory Care, and an afternoon hike hosted by Muscle Powered. Also ahead, Carson City's GOP will host a discussion with several political leaders representing the capital city. There will be a 'Glorious Expanse' artist reception at WNC Gallery, plus library activities and more.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors will discuss a pair of lawsuit settlements at their meeting tomorrow beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center, at 851 E. William Street.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Monday announced the appointment of Heidi Swank as the inaugural Administrator for NDCNR’s new Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation.

Daniel Leif Braafladt died peacefully in Carson City, Nevada on Nov. 7, 2019 at the age of 62. Dan is survived by his wife Toni, his daughter Lacy, his grandkids Emmett and Reta, and his dog Bear.

He was born in Carmichael, CA to Jeane and Phil Braafladt. Dan spent a lifetime being the best type of man there is. He could fix anything. His spirit and jolly laugh made any occasion better. His love and respect for wildlife and nature were admirable. He was an avid hunter, sports lover, and was a pretty darn good shot. His wisdom, love, and long garage talks will be missed by so many.

An agreement that aims for state and federal agencies to increase their collaborative efforts to reduce the risks and impacts of catastrophic wildfire was finalized Friday by the Office of Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Students, families, staff, and neighbors descended on the Carson Middle School Wetlands Habitat Saturday morning prepared to rake leaves, pull weeds, remove unwanted vegetation, and prepare the habitat for winter.

The Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department is pleased to announce the Empire Ranch Trail between Riverview Park and Morgan Mill has been reopened.

CARSON CITY — Meals on Wheels Carson City joins the 2019 Subaru Share the Love event as a member of Meals on Wheels America — one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the campaign. From Nov. 14, 2019, through Jan. 2, 2020, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer's choice of participating charities.

The Nevada Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) is pleased to announce twenty-three graduates, from fifteen NV agencies, will accept their peace officers’ oath as POST Academy Class 2019-02.

It’s official. On Thursday, Nevada joined the “Confluence of States,” a coalition of 16 bipartisan states centered on a set of shared principles, common values, and best practices surrounding outdoor recreation and conservation.

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and California State Parks may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin, if weather and conditions permit.

Animals in the road cause an average of 500 traffic collisions a year in Nevada – which is why experts on wildlife, transportation and development are meeting for a summit (this week) at the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City.

American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker Jim Rohn wrote, “My mentor said, ‘Let’s go do it,’ not ‘You go do it.’ How powerful when someone says, ‘Let’s!’” The power of “Let’s” is evident in the partnership between Pioneer High School and Al Seeliger Elementary School in Carson City.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019 a committee of experts and advocates in the areas of conservation, public land management, biology, wildlife and wild horses interests will convene a forum "Horse Rich and Dirt Poor: The Challenge to Healthy Nevada Lands, Wildlife and Wild Horses."

CARSON CITY — Wetlands are the link between land and water, where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy of the sun meet to create highly productive ecosystems with unique plant and animal life.

In broad terms, wetlands refer to all wet areas that provide ecosystem services and habitat for plants, wildlife, and aquatic species, including wet meadows, seeps and springs, playas, and riparian areas.

In what many had hoped would be a return to the wild for a large black bear tranquilized Tuesday morning on the west side of Carson City, ended in tragedy as the 19-year-old animal died in transit, where it was later discovered he had a brain tumor.

UPDATE: The 19-year-old bear captured Tuesday in Carson City by wildlife officials has died as a result of a brain tumor after he was tranquilized, with the intention of being released later into the wild, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Go here for the updated version of this story.
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With recent bear sightings around Carson City, including Tuesday morning off of Minnesota Street, it is a sure sign that fall has set in as the capital city area is seeing increased bear foraging activity, according to wildlife officials.

Weather and conditions permitting, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and California State Parks may continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

For the first time ever, the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery will release 5,000 large Pilot Peak Lahontan cutthroat trout into their home waters at Lake Tahoe this Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Over three days, the 12 to 14-inch sized trout will be placed in the water, and the public is invited to two of those historic, interpretive stocking events during the Fall Fish Festival at Taylor Creek.

As part of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s hazardous fuels reduction efforts, both Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts’ fire crews will conduct pile burning beginning in October 2019 through May 2020, weather and fuel conditions permitting.

Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association is working with the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space to install a fence at Centennial Park. This fence will help keep the wild horses in the hills and off the golf course, softball fields and out of the businesses and neighborhoods as well.

The 2019 pine nut harvest season kicks off on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Both agencies are working together to ensure the public is safely harvesting pine nuts and aware of the regulations. The length of the pine nut harvest season varies depending on crop quality and seasonal weather conditions.

“Zombie deer.” It sounds like a bad B-movie, something that airs on the SyFy channel late at night. They’re real, though — sort of — and Nevada wildlife regulators are working to keep them out of the state …