Project Summary:
Parker Ranch, a 524-acre property, was purchased by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in December of 2000 (with assistance from the State of Nevada, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to protect and restore its unique biological resources, including the endemic Amargosa toad (
Bufo nelsoni). Oasis Valley speckled dace (
Rhinichthys osculus ssp
.), and a rich neotropical migratory bird community. Restoration actions at Parker Ranch consisted of three key elements: 1) construction of spring pools for Amargosa toad reproduction and Pacific tree frog life-cycle needs; 2) modification of a small former agricultural reservoir to create habitat that is suitable for amphibians and native fish, while retaining the pond’s value for migratory birds; and 3) modification of spring outflow channels, and the reservoir outflow channel for the reintroduction of a viable population of Oasis Valley speckled dace. The water level was lowered prior to and during restoration actions in order to remove bass from the former reservoir and spring channels. No bass have been observed in the system since project completion.
Project Update:
This project was completed in February 2004. Both Amargosa toads and Oasis Valley speckled dace have been observed in the constructed ponds and spring channels. You can view a photo of the outflow channel nine months after completion here.
