From June 19-21, more than 60 volunteers and approximately 10 personnel of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (from Sheldon and Hart Mountain refuges) teamed up to improve habitat for pronghorn antelope and other wildlife, as well as enhance the boundary of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northern Nevada.

Volunteers removed 10 miles of unnecessary barbed-wire fence that threatened wildlife (an ongoing project) and also placed signs along 15 miles of newly constructed boundary. Volunteers also repaired an exclosure fence that will help plants and water quality recover for the benefit of wildlife.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness coordinated the event and reported the following:

Volunteers travelled from as far away as Seattle and Southern California, and many parts in between, to help with the projects. Many volunteers were affiliated with the new Sheldon Refuge Network, a diverse alliance of sportsmen, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists to support the US Fish & Wildlife Service in managing the Sheldon Refuge. Participants ranged in age from 3 to 83…Kids at the project worked hard pulling invasive weeds at the campground, then they learned about wildlife and history on a hike into nearby Kinney Creek Gorge.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness (FNW) coordinated this first annual Sheldon Rendezvous, and we look forward to a continuation of this as an annual event. It is a logical continuation of annual work projects that were formerly sponsored by the Sierra Club and by the Audubon Society…

The rendezvous coincided with the birthday of Jim Yoakum, the leading expert on antelope in the US. Jim, now retired, traveled up to the rendezvous and offered his insights on the Sheldon Refuge from many years of being involved. A large birthday cake was enjoyed by all, especially Jim himself.

Around the campfire, Paul Steblein (Hart Mountain and Sheldon Refuges supervisor) reported on the state of the Sheldon Refuge, the challenges to its management, and plans for its future. Other people volunteered their insights on the Sheldon Refuge, garnered from years of visits to the place and dedicated watchdog activities. Clearly many people in our network care passionately about the Sheldon Refuge and support its management goals.

The FNW also reports that Sheldon NWR is currently updating its Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which will be released this summer for comment. Keep an eye on the Sheldon NWR website for further information.

Tags:
wildlife refuge, Sheldon NWR, Nevada