Nevada is the driest state in the U.S. Only 1.5 percent of Nevada is covered by vegetated wetlands or by open water. But these areas are very important to wildlife managers. They are productive ecosys-tems because they are habitat for a large diversity of species. And they are fragile ecosystems because they are sensitive to change. Wetlands are usually looked to first when considering conservation ac-tions, since a large proportion of sensitive, or at-risk wildlife species, including fish, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates occur at these wetland sites. The main threats to these ecosystems are urbaniza-tion, water developments, grazing, invasive species, and changing fire cycles. Nevada is 3rd among all the states in having the highest percentage of species at risk. The majority of Nevada’s native fish spe-

cies are at risk.

The issues that affect wetlands can affect us all: water-borne dis-eases, floods, pollution, drought, water diversion. The benefits of wetlands are for all of us as well: clean water for drinking, wetland foods, water availability for economic uses, wetland medicines, eco-system health and the diversity of species. One of the benefits of wetlands that isn’t usually thought of is that of mental well-being. The beauty and tranquility of a wetland oasis can create a feeling of calmness, and activities such as walking, boating and fishing have a relaxing effect on almost everyone. There are a number of places to enjoy wetlands in southern Nevada – the Wetlands Park, Hender-son Bird Viewing Preserve, Lake Mead, and a little further north –

Overton, Key Pittman and Kirch Wildlife Management Areas.

The Importance of Wetlands

International Migratory Bird Day

Southern

Nevada WILD Spring 2010

Volume IV

Issue I

Wetlands 1

International

Migratory

Bird Day

1

Sensitive

Aquatic Species

2

Invasive

Aquatic Species

2

Bugs! 3

Project Wild 3

Web Express 3

Wings and Wild-

life Festival

3

Olympic Symbol:

Inukshuk

4

Wildlife Activity 4

Classroom

Aquariums

2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

“When one tugs at

a single thing in

nature, he finds

that it is attached

to the rest of the

world. "

- John Muir

The Southern Nevada Wild newsletter for educators and students can be found

at www.ndow.org/learn/programs/region/south/index.shtm.

Teachers: Look for NDOW on

Twitter and Facebook !

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) officially takes place on the second Saturday in May each year. IMBD was created in 1993 to cele-brate the great journey of migra-tory birds – between their summer and winter homes, and to support migratory bird conservation. Every year nearly 350 species of migratory birds travel between nesting habitats in North America and wintering grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Southern U.S. IMBD is celebrated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Central America through bird festivals, bird walks,

and education programs.

The theme of this year’s celebra-tion is The Power of Partner-ships. Land management agen-cies, schools, and private institu-tions will be joining together to celebrate the importance of mi-gratory birds. Birds are impor-tant around the world, both for aesthetic value and as a source of food and other goods. Birds also serve as a barometer of habitat health, and their populations re-flect the threats to our environ-ment. By learning about migra-tory birds, we are able to appre-ciate the benefits of entire eco-systems. More information about IMBD is available at

http://www.birdday.org.

They’re big. They’re fierce. They’re hungry. They are bullfrogs. Not native to Nevada, these large predators were brought here, or introduced, through es-capes from aquariums and other releases into our waters. They may have been accidentally released with the stocking of fish, or brought in for food or for pest control. Since the early 1900’s, they have invaded most wetland areas of the western United States. They are native to the central and eastern portions of the U.S. Bullfrogs are highly invasive because they adapt to many wetland areas and

are nearly impossible to get rid of.

Bullfrogs are as big as eight inches and eat native fish, frogs, and small land animals like reptiles and birds. They even eat their own young. Bullfrog tadpoles feed on native fish eggs. Their numbers get out of control because there are no predators in the west that keep the bullfrog populations down. Bullfrogs lay between 4,000

and 20,000 eggs at a time! They also compete with native species for food.

Have you ever heard of going frogging? In Nevada, there is no fishing license re-quired to harvest bullfrogs by gig, spear, bow and arrow, or by hand. But you will need one if you harvest them with a hook and line. They can be taken all year long, at any time of the day or night, in waters that are open to fishing or frogging. But it’s very important that you can identify a bullfrog correctly, so that you don’t

accidentally kill a native frog.

Invasive Species: Bullfrogs

Sensitive Species: Relict Leopard Frog

SOUTHERN NEVADA WILD Page 2

There are few amphibians in Nevada, especially in the desert. Several frogs and toads are listed as protected in the state. The relict leopard frog needs protection because of habitat loss and invasive species. At one time, this species ranged from southwestern Utah to Arizona, at over 60 springs, mostly along the Colorado and Virgin rivers. Now it only exists at five springs. By the 1950’s, its population dropped so severely that bi-ologists thought that it was extirpated, or no longer existed in Nevada. However, it was seen again in the 1990’s and since then has been monitored very carefully. Right now, the relict leopard frog can be found along the Colorado River, near Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. They prefer wetlands surrounded by desert. Open pools and pud-dles are needed for producing offspring. The frogs are also very limited by overgrown vegetation that clogs wetlands, and invasive species like bullfrogs, which prey on them. Their population is estimated at only 500 to 1000 individuals. Half of them are located at one place, so they are extremely sensitive to habitat disturbance. Wildlife biologists

continue to study relict leopard frogs and look for ways to preserve their populations.

The relict leopard frog is a fairly small frog, about three inches in length, with short legs. Its name comes from

the spots on its skin, dark-colored over a background of tan to green.

CLASSROOM AQUARIUM CAUTION: Teachers who obtain live animals for classroom aquariums should know which species are illegal to be brought into Nevada before they order their specimens. The list of prohib-ited species can be found in the Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 503, Section 110. Biological suppliers do not always know the regulations. It is also important to discuss the ethics of keeping classroom specimens with your students. Some invasive species are the result of captive specimens being released. Don’t add to environ-

mental problems by releasing captive species!

VOLUME II , ISSUE 2

Where bugs abound...

Web Express

Page 3

Here are two great websites for kids to learn more about the environment, while having fun at the same time! The first is the Lorax Project, at http://www.seussville.com/lorax/. We all re-member Dr. Seuss’ book, The Lorax, and here is a chance to

bring the characters into the classroom and home.

The second is the official National Park Service site, Web Rang-ers, at http://www.webrangers.us/index.cfm. Many kids become Junior Park Rangers at the different national parks that they visit.

Now here is a chance to earn the ranger patch online!

As temperatures warm up, one of the first signs of spring is the appearance of insects and other arthropods – bugs! Just as the plants start to green up, the bugs come out to feed on them, and soon the lizards appear to eat the bugs, and it continues up through the food chain. This spring we should see a lot of bugs as well as plants and flowers in the Mojave Desert, because of the heavy rains that we’ve had. Where have they been? Many insects go through winter in a resting stage, as eggs or as pupae. Spring is when they become active again—to feed mate and repro-duce. Bugs are a vital food source for many animals, like bats. One bat can consume a thousand or more insects in one night. Insects are important to lizards, and to birds like quail. Birds need to consume a large amount of seeds and insects to put on body weight, which is important for a successful egg hatch. Fish, frogs and toads could not survive without feeding on insects. Some

mammals eat insects as well as other animals. They are a great source of protein (some people eat them too).

Bugs are also important for other reasons. Bees, wasps, ants, and moths pollinate flowers. The yucca plant depends solely on the yucca moth for pollination and the yucca fruit is a food source for grazing animals. Spiders and some insects eat insects that we consider pests. Insects and other invertebrates that burrow under the ground loosen the soil for plants. Bugs can decompose dead materials, and provide fertilizer to the soil. Of course there are some bugs that don’t really seem to serve a purpose. But

each one has its own niche and place in the ecosystem.

There are 100,000 or more different insects in the southwestern United States. Worldwide, there may be up to 10,000,000 – and we have only named about a million of them. There are more insects than any other animal group, and they can be found in every environment. There needs to be a great number of them, to feed almost the entire food chain. If there were no more bugs and

insects, everything else on earth would be affected. So be glad that the bugs are out!

The first Project Wild classes of 2010 were held January 9th and 16th at Red Rock Canyon. This was a special (and very chilly!) session for interpretive staff and volunteers who work at public lands sites, such as Red Rock and Lake Mead. The first teacher training took place January 30 and February 6. We dodged the rain for a great experience. Aquatic Wild will take place May 1 and May 8. The Aquatic workshop takes teachers to Lake Mead for a day, where you can witness

quagga mussels in action and also catch a nice lake breeze!

We still need teachers to express an interest for a workshop

in Nye County—contact us!

Project Wild Update

www.wingsandwildlifefestival.org

National Wildlife

Week

March 15-21, 2010

What’s the connection between wildlife and the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada? The emblem that was chosen for the Winter Games is the inukshuk, a traditional symbol of the Inuit people of Canada. Inukshuk means “one that looks like a person,” and these stone sculptures have been used as directional landmarks for many years. The colors of the Olympic emblem represent the ocean, forests, mountains, trees and sunrises of Canada. Because they serve to mark the way to a place, they are seen as welcoming symbols, and the emblem has been

named “Ilanaaq” - the Inuit word for friend.

Inukshuiit (plural of inukshuk) were also used by the Inuit people to assist them in hunting caribou. The inukshuiit would be built in rows on each side of a caribou trail. The two rows came together at the end near a hillside. The women and children would herd the caribou between the inukshuiit while the hunters would hide behind them with their bows and arrows. Later, the inukshuiit marked the place where meat from the hunt was stored. These places came to be known as good

places to hunt.

Activity: How to Use Binoculars

Margie Klein

Conservation Educator III

Wildlife Education

Nevada Dept. of Wildlife

4747 Vegas Dr.

Las Vegas, NV 89108

702-486-5127 x 3502

mbklein@ndow.org

www.ndow.org

The 2010 Olympic Games

and ... Wildlife?

This how-to guide is taken from the Flying Wild curriculum from the Council for Environmental Education.

Binoculars are a useful tool when it comes to watching and studying birds (and other wildlife). These steps give

a brief lesson on binocular basics:

1. Roll back the eyecups of the binoculars if you wear glasses.

2. Put the neck strap of the binoculars around your neck.

3. Find an object that is vertical or horizontal.

4. Look through the binoculars and bend them (move the barrels) until you see only a single image.

5. Cover the right lens with your hand and move the focus wheel until the image is sharp.

6. Next, cover the left lens with your hand and move the focus wheel until the image is sharp. Adjust the right eyepiece until the image is sharp.

Your binoculars should now be ready for some serious bird watching. Remember, it is easier to find birds with your eyes first, and then use the

binoculars for a close-up view.

Here are some more tips:

When picking out a pair of binoculars for first-time users, consider a lower power magnification and a wider field of view, which will help in locat-ing objects. Binoculars are labeled with two numbers, the magnification power first, then the size of the lens. For example, a 6 X 30 pair would be perfect for a child, A larger lens will be heavier. Also consider the width of the barrels – kids should be able to get their hands around them

and move them close enough together for their smaller faces.

Younger children can start getting used to looking through lenses by holding two empty toilet paper rolls up to their eyes. When they’re ready to progress to the binoculars, instruct them to focus on a fixed object in the yard. This could be a tree trunk or a garden decoration. You can also have them look at enlarged photographs of birds or read sentences on enlarged poster boards. With your help, they will soon be able to zoom in on birds that appear in the yard. Don’t let them walk while looking through the binoculars - they could trip and hurt themselves. Re-mind kids to respect the binoculars and take good care of them. Then whether they’re spying out an inukshuk or birds at the festival, they’ll get

an up-close and personal experience!