Desert National Wildlife Refuge

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Operations in the Absence of Appropriations | U.S. Department of the Interior Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

Yesterday evening a rainbow appeared over the Sheep Range. There’s a chance of rain over the next couple of days so be on the lookout for a possible repeat performance.

Beautiful view of last night’s lightening storm over the Sheep Range in Desert. Please exercise caution while traveling the backcountry. Storms can change road conditions in minutes.

Photo credit: Adam Mellis

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge opens for the season this weekend!

Good News! Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is opening for the season. Starting September 5, the Refuge will be open Friday-Sunday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. We hope to see you there.

Meet the artist! Head to the Corn Creek Visitor Center this weekend to watch local artist Tala Cox at work. Her new series of masquerade masks is based on Mojave desert animals and insects. You can watch this week's mask take shape and learn about her process.

Look what's blooming at Ash Meadows!

August Wildflower Dispatch!

Behold, the magnificent Spring-loving centaury, Zeltnera namophila (previously Centaurium namophilum)! Reaching only about 18 inches in height, this small but showy annual herb displays its deep pink flowers from July to September. You can find it along the shorelines of springs and their outflows, which are viewable from the boardwalks at the Refuge. Not only is the Spring-loving centaury native to Ash Meadows, but it is also endemic to the Amargosa Basin, meaning it is found nowhere else! As such, it is quite rare and is federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Photo: Rod Colvin/USFWS

Artist Alina Lindquist will be at Corn Creek today to co-lead the Nevada: P.S. I love You postcard workshop. "Serene Landscapes" is an original oil painting inspired by her time in Avi Kwa Ame NM. It captures the beautiful light and space of the Mojave Desert. You can see this piece as part of Alina's current show "Avi Kwa Ame: Between Presence and Protection" now on display at the Nevada Humanities Gallery in downtown Las Vegas.

Come on out this Sunday for our drop-in art table. Nevada Humanities will be hosting the Nevada: P.S. I Love You postcard workshop between 9:00am-1:00pm at Corn Creek. It's a perfect time of year to come out for a self-guided morning stroll and then use your inspiration on mini work or art. All materials supplied. All ages and skills welcome. https://www.facebook.com/events/1009081941080550

Woohoo!! Like a rollercoaster, it's (mostly) downhill from here.

July 21st has the hottest daily average high temperature for Las Vegas at 105 degrees. The average daily high temperature will continue to decrease until December 21st. The end of the heat is near!

Artist Tala Cox will be back at the Corn Creek visitor center this Sunday morning. She will continue work on her current Mojave species mask: the woodpecker. From the Ladder-backed Woodpecker in the Joshua tree zone to the Williamson's Sapsucker nesting in our pine forests, at least eight species of woodpeckers can be found at the refuge!

Photo Credit: Tala Cox

Here's another great reason to come to Corn Creek this Saturday! The Ask a Birder table will be open from 7:30-9:30am. Red Rock Audubon Society will be onsite to help answer your bird questions. Early mornings are a wonderful time to explore Corn Creek in the summer. Temps are cooler than in town and wildlife are more active at that time of day.

Photo Credit: Rod Colvin