| PRESS RELEASES |
ENLC News
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 06-001
FOR RELEASE: Friday, November 21, 2005
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Gleason Creek Restoration Begins
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition, based in Ely, Nevada, began this season’s restoration project
on the Gleason Creek watershed. Restoration work included thinning 120 acres of Pinyon pine and
juniper trees from the black sagebrush shrublands; removing 200 acres of sparsely scattered juniper trees
in the Wyoming sagebrush flats; followed by brush beating approximately 400 acres of the Wyoming
sagebrush.
The purpose behind these landscape-scale restoration projects is to improve soil stability, and increase
biological diversity of the watershed. These measures strengthen the land’s resiliency to wildfire and
heavy water run-off, and in turn, help protect our communities from the negative effects of these events. To
accomplish this objective, the young encroaching juniper and Pinyon trees are removed in the valley
bottoms and thinned on the upper benches to allow native bunch grasses, forbs, and shrubs to thrive.
Dense tree cover prohibits the growth of herbaceous and shrub vegetation exposing bare ground that is
more vulnerable to erosion. Abundant herbaceous vegetation is critical for soil maintenance, and wildlife
forage.
Brush beating is another restoration treatment that allows herbaceous vegetation to increase. This
involves mechanically removing the sagebrush with a rotary chopper. A variation in sagebrush size and
distribution across the landscape contributes to the health and resiliency of shrublands and can be
attained by brush beating in a pattern that mimics the small, low-intensity fires that historically occurred
here.
Today, we are accustomed to large, devastating fires fueled by dense stands of trees, shrubs, and annual
exotic grasses. With these treatments as well as others such as prescribed fire, land managers can
restore the landscape to its native ecological state, empowering nature to ward off the debilitating impacts
of large, hot fires and heavy precipitation events.
Speaking of fires, many Ely residents are making preparations for the cold winter ahead and stocking up
on firewood. Wood harvesters are welcome to pick up the newly cut wood in the restoration area with the
required BLM permit. However, it is of the utmost importance to keep your vehicles and OHVs on the
roads. This is a restoration project to protect the watershed. New roads and tracks cross-country will not
help us to attain that goal.
- end -
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 06-001
FOR RELEASE: Friday, November 21, 2005
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Gleason Creek Restoration Begins
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition, based in Ely, Nevada, began this season’s restoration project
on the Gleason Creek watershed. Restoration work included thinning 120 acres of Pinyon pine and
juniper trees from the black sagebrush shrublands; removing 200 acres of sparsely scattered juniper trees
in the Wyoming sagebrush flats; followed by brush beating approximately 400 acres of the Wyoming
sagebrush.
The purpose behind these landscape-scale restoration projects is to improve soil stability, and increase
biological diversity of the watershed. These measures strengthen the land’s resiliency to wildfire and
heavy water run-off, and in turn, help protect our communities from the negative effects of these events. To
accomplish this objective, the young encroaching juniper and Pinyon trees are removed in the valley
bottoms and thinned on the upper benches to allow native bunch grasses, forbs, and shrubs to thrive.
Dense tree cover prohibits the growth of herbaceous and shrub vegetation exposing bare ground that is
more vulnerable to erosion. Abundant herbaceous vegetation is critical for soil maintenance, and wildlife
forage.
Brush beating is another restoration treatment that allows herbaceous vegetation to increase. This
involves mechanically removing the sagebrush with a rotary chopper. A variation in sagebrush size and
distribution across the landscape contributes to the health and resiliency of shrublands and can be
attained by brush beating in a pattern that mimics the small, low-intensity fires that historically occurred
here.
Today, we are accustomed to large, devastating fires fueled by dense stands of trees, shrubs, and annual
exotic grasses. With these treatments as well as others such as prescribed fire, land managers can
restore the landscape to its native ecological state, empowering nature to ward off the debilitating impacts
of large, hot fires and heavy precipitation events.
Speaking of fires, many Ely residents are making preparations for the cold winter ahead and stocking up
on firewood. Wood harvesters are welcome to pick up the newly cut wood in the restoration area with the
required BLM permit. However, it is of the utmost importance to keep your vehicles and OHVs on the
roads. This is a restoration project to protect the watershed. New roads and tracks cross-country will not
help us to attain that goal.
- end -
ENLC News
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 05-002
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, July 19, 2005
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Horses Are Essential Tool for Rehabilitating the West
In the true spirit of collaboration, Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (ENLC) recently teamed up with the Back Country Horsemen of Eastern Nevada,
U.S. Forest Service, Tri-County Weed Project and volunteers from the Newark/Long Valley Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) to conduct
open warfare on leafy spurge infestation’s in northern Newark Valley.
The Coalition and Back Country Horsemen borrowed pack horses and pack saddle spray equipment from the U.S. Forest Service and worked in
conjunction with employees of the Tri-County Weed Project and volunteers from the Newark Valley CWMA to treat 25 acres of leafy spurge. Much of the
treatment area was on a steep hillside on Forest Service land. The Forest Service horses and volunteer’s horses were used to haul chemical and
water to the top of the hill and then volunteers wearing backpack sprayers walked down the hill spraying weeds. On the valley floor and private lands
the horses were used in the actual spray process along side ATV spray equipment.
The crew of volunteers donated their entire weekend to the process, including camping out at the site in order to maximize the amount of time spent
treating weeds.
Leafy spurge is a perennial plant which grows up to 36 inches tall. It currently infests almost 2.5 million acres in North America and is primarily found
in pastures, rangelands and along roadsides. Leafy spurge displaces many species and is extremely difficult to control once established. The plant
spreads through seeds or vegetative buds on root pieces. It causes severe mouth, throat, and digestive tract irritation and may result in the death of
cattle.
The infestation treated by ENLC and its partners is the only infestation of leafy spurge in White Pine County.
ENLC received a $5,000 grant from the Center for Invasive Plant Management for this project.
ENLC, long supported by the Bureau for Land Management, received an award from Bob Vaught, Toiyabe Humboldt Forest Supervisor, for “outstanding
contributions and leadership in public service during the Forest Service’s first century of service” during ENLC’s sixth annual workshop and field tour in
June.
Noxious weeds and invasive annual grasses are supplanting native vegetation across the West. To learn more about the threat, call Betsy Macfarlan,
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition executive director, at (775) 289-7974, or contact www.envlc.org. Interested persons may also contact Brandon
Vaught, Tri-County weed control supervisor, at (775) 289-4459.
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 05-002
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, July 19, 2005
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Horses Are Essential Tool for Rehabilitating the West
In the true spirit of collaboration, Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (ENLC) recently teamed up with the Back Country Horsemen of Eastern Nevada,
U.S. Forest Service, Tri-County Weed Project and volunteers from the Newark/Long Valley Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) to conduct
open warfare on leafy spurge infestation’s in northern Newark Valley.
The Coalition and Back Country Horsemen borrowed pack horses and pack saddle spray equipment from the U.S. Forest Service and worked in
conjunction with employees of the Tri-County Weed Project and volunteers from the Newark Valley CWMA to treat 25 acres of leafy spurge. Much of the
treatment area was on a steep hillside on Forest Service land. The Forest Service horses and volunteer’s horses were used to haul chemical and
water to the top of the hill and then volunteers wearing backpack sprayers walked down the hill spraying weeds. On the valley floor and private lands
the horses were used in the actual spray process along side ATV spray equipment.
The crew of volunteers donated their entire weekend to the process, including camping out at the site in order to maximize the amount of time spent
treating weeds.
Leafy spurge is a perennial plant which grows up to 36 inches tall. It currently infests almost 2.5 million acres in North America and is primarily found
in pastures, rangelands and along roadsides. Leafy spurge displaces many species and is extremely difficult to control once established. The plant
spreads through seeds or vegetative buds on root pieces. It causes severe mouth, throat, and digestive tract irritation and may result in the death of
cattle.
The infestation treated by ENLC and its partners is the only infestation of leafy spurge in White Pine County.
ENLC received a $5,000 grant from the Center for Invasive Plant Management for this project.
ENLC, long supported by the Bureau for Land Management, received an award from Bob Vaught, Toiyabe Humboldt Forest Supervisor, for “outstanding
contributions and leadership in public service during the Forest Service’s first century of service” during ENLC’s sixth annual workshop and field tour in
June.
Noxious weeds and invasive annual grasses are supplanting native vegetation across the West. To learn more about the threat, call Betsy Macfarlan,
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition executive director, at (775) 289-7974, or contact www.envlc.org. Interested persons may also contact Brandon
Vaught, Tri-County weed control supervisor, at (775) 289-4459.
ENLC News
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 05-001
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, January 25, 2005
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Department of Agriculture Funds Benefit Local Weed Wars
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and Tri-County Weed Project just received a $47,800 bonus.
The grant funds, provided by the Forest Service and distributed by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, will be divided between the Newark Valley,
Railroad Valley, Ruth, Snake Valley, White River Valley Cooperative Weed Management Areas.
A Cooperative Weed Management Area, or CWMA, is a local organization that brings together all available resources to combat noxious weed
invasions. CWMA participants can include local landowners, private non-profit organizations, and local, state and federal government. To be
considered a CWMA, all participants must also sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding, in which they commit to agreed-upon tasks.
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition Executive Director Betsy Macfarlan, while surprised at the dollar amount awarded, vowed it would be utilized in
the ongoing war on weeds.
“The Agriculture department had only $150,000 in Cooperative Weed Management Area funding and we received almost one-third of the funding which
allows us to continue and expand on the work begun over the past two year,” said Macfarlan, to the Ely Times.
Dawn Rafferty, Nevada Department of Agriculture spokesperson, said this year’s grant requests totaled in excess of $198,000. Still, the $150,000 that
was awarded is half again the amount awarded just a year ago, she said.
“The Nevada Department of Agriculture is hopeful that this U.S. Forest Service program will continue and expand,” said Rafferty, while pointing out that
statewide this year, 18 Cooperative Weed Management Areas received funding.
Brandon Vaught, Tri-County weed control supervisor, said 18 of the state’s 27 Cooperative Weed Management Areas competed for this year’s grant
dollars, including the five sponsored by the coalition.
“The funding we received over the past two years has greatly benefited local landowners and the natural resources,” said Vaught.
According to Macfarlan all the grants will be used to continue treating Russian Knapweed, Whitetop, Leafy Spurge, and Tamarisk infestations, as well
as provide for the expansion of public education and outreach programs in each of the CWMAs.
Noxious weeds and invasive annual grasses are supplanting native vegetation across the West. To learn more about the threat, call Betsy Macfarlan,
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition executive director, at (775) 289-7974, or contact www.envlc.org. Interested persons may also contact Brandon
Vaught, Tri-County weed control supervisor, at (775) 289-4459.
-end-
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 05-001
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, January 25, 2005
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Department of Agriculture Funds Benefit Local Weed Wars
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and Tri-County Weed Project just received a $47,800 bonus.
The grant funds, provided by the Forest Service and distributed by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, will be divided between the Newark Valley,
Railroad Valley, Ruth, Snake Valley, White River Valley Cooperative Weed Management Areas.
A Cooperative Weed Management Area, or CWMA, is a local organization that brings together all available resources to combat noxious weed
invasions. CWMA participants can include local landowners, private non-profit organizations, and local, state and federal government. To be
considered a CWMA, all participants must also sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding, in which they commit to agreed-upon tasks.
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition Executive Director Betsy Macfarlan, while surprised at the dollar amount awarded, vowed it would be utilized in
the ongoing war on weeds.
“The Agriculture department had only $150,000 in Cooperative Weed Management Area funding and we received almost one-third of the funding which
allows us to continue and expand on the work begun over the past two year,” said Macfarlan, to the Ely Times.
Dawn Rafferty, Nevada Department of Agriculture spokesperson, said this year’s grant requests totaled in excess of $198,000. Still, the $150,000 that
was awarded is half again the amount awarded just a year ago, she said.
“The Nevada Department of Agriculture is hopeful that this U.S. Forest Service program will continue and expand,” said Rafferty, while pointing out that
statewide this year, 18 Cooperative Weed Management Areas received funding.
Brandon Vaught, Tri-County weed control supervisor, said 18 of the state’s 27 Cooperative Weed Management Areas competed for this year’s grant
dollars, including the five sponsored by the coalition.
“The funding we received over the past two years has greatly benefited local landowners and the natural resources,” said Vaught.
According to Macfarlan all the grants will be used to continue treating Russian Knapweed, Whitetop, Leafy Spurge, and Tamarisk infestations, as well
as provide for the expansion of public education and outreach programs in each of the CWMAs.
Noxious weeds and invasive annual grasses are supplanting native vegetation across the West. To learn more about the threat, call Betsy Macfarlan,
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition executive director, at (775) 289-7974, or contact www.envlc.org. Interested persons may also contact Brandon
Vaught, Tri-County weed control supervisor, at (775) 289-4459.
-end-
ENLC News
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 04-004
FOR RELEASE: Friday, Nov. 26, 2004
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition To Benefit From Omnibus Spending Bill
For the second time this year, the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition is expected to benefit from a major piece of legislation.
Betsy Macfarlan, the coalition’s executive director, said yesterday that she learned earlier this week that the Omnibus spending bill approved by
Congress Saturday evening contains $250,000 to help fund landscape restoration efforts in eastern Nevada. The money was provided the coalition
through the efforts of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Macfarlan.
“The Senator’s understanding of issues surrounding eastern Nevada’s landscapes, and impacts to present and future generations is greatly
appreciated by those involved in restoration efforts,” said Macfarlan.
According to Macfarlan, the money would most likely be used to initiate restoration work in Smith Valley, in rural White Pine County, or to expand on a
project now underway in the Gleason Creek watershed, west of Ely.
The Gleason Creek Research and Demonstration Project, located alongside U.S. Highway 50 about nine miles west of the high desert community, is a
joint venture between the coalition and BLM Ely District.
The approximately 2,000-acre project calls for the mechanical and selective thinning of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush to create a natural mosaic of
native vegetation, which in turn will provide for local wildlife while helping to stabilize the watershed and prevent future flooding of the downstream
mining community. The BLM and coalition have since August treated about 75 acres of the project area and are expected in upcoming months to treat
an additional 400 acres.
Partial funding for the Gleason Creek project comes from another Senator Reid-sponsored appropriation of $250,000 that was awarded to the coalition
in January 2004. Through that funding, the coalition was able to leverage an additional $62,000, which it is also using on Gleason Creek restoration.
To learn more about the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and its restoration efforts, contact Betsy Macfarlan, executive director, at (775) 289-7974,
or visit the coalition’s website at www.envlc.org.
- End -
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 04-004
FOR RELEASE: Friday, Nov. 26, 2004
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition To Benefit From Omnibus Spending Bill
For the second time this year, the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition is expected to benefit from a major piece of legislation.
Betsy Macfarlan, the coalition’s executive director, said yesterday that she learned earlier this week that the Omnibus spending bill approved by
Congress Saturday evening contains $250,000 to help fund landscape restoration efforts in eastern Nevada. The money was provided the coalition
through the efforts of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Macfarlan.
“The Senator’s understanding of issues surrounding eastern Nevada’s landscapes, and impacts to present and future generations is greatly
appreciated by those involved in restoration efforts,” said Macfarlan.
According to Macfarlan, the money would most likely be used to initiate restoration work in Smith Valley, in rural White Pine County, or to expand on a
project now underway in the Gleason Creek watershed, west of Ely.
The Gleason Creek Research and Demonstration Project, located alongside U.S. Highway 50 about nine miles west of the high desert community, is a
joint venture between the coalition and BLM Ely District.
The approximately 2,000-acre project calls for the mechanical and selective thinning of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush to create a natural mosaic of
native vegetation, which in turn will provide for local wildlife while helping to stabilize the watershed and prevent future flooding of the downstream
mining community. The BLM and coalition have since August treated about 75 acres of the project area and are expected in upcoming months to treat
an additional 400 acres.
Partial funding for the Gleason Creek project comes from another Senator Reid-sponsored appropriation of $250,000 that was awarded to the coalition
in January 2004. Through that funding, the coalition was able to leverage an additional $62,000, which it is also using on Gleason Creek restoration.
To learn more about the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and its restoration efforts, contact Betsy Macfarlan, executive director, at (775) 289-7974,
or visit the coalition’s website at www.envlc.org.
- End -
ENLC News
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 04-005
FOR RELEASE: Friday, Dec. 3, 2004
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
ENLC Member Receives Outstanding Rancher Commendation
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition this week added its voice to others congratulating the John Uhalde and Company Ranch, a long-time
eastern Nevada sheep and cattle operation, which in November was awarded the prestigious 2004 Outstanding Rancher Commendation.
“For years, the John Uhalde and Company Ranch has been known industry-wide as an operation that promotes the long-term health of the landscape.
It is gratifying to know that the ranch is finally being recognized publicly for its efforts,” Betsy Macfarlan, the coalition’s executive director, said Thursday.
Awarded periodically, the Outstanding Rancher Commendation is presented only to those ranching operations employing management practices that
benefit the long-term health of the public lands while remaining profitable. The recipient is selected by a panel representing the Nevada Cattlemen’s
Association, Nevada Farm Bureau, Society for Range Management, Nevada Division of Agriculture and Bureau of Land Management.
The John Uhalde and Company Ranch was this year’s lone recipient, receiving the commendation for its progressive ranching methods, which include
livestock rotation and water-hauling to protect the natural resources. The announcement was made at the annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
banquet, held last month in Reno. Named Rancher of the Year for 2004 was Agee Smith, of Elko County.
The John Uhalde and Company Ranch is a founding member of the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and operators Gracian, Mike and John
contribute a significant amount of time each year on coalition projects, such as the Gleason Creek Research and Demonstration Project, about nine
miles west of Ely.
Viewed by many as a landmark effort in the use of science to restore health to eastern Nevada landscapes, the roughly 2,000-acre project, which lies at
the north end of the nearly 40,000-acre watershed it is named after, is a collaborative effort by the BLM and coalition, a 501c3 non-profit organization
whose sole purpose is to restore, on a landscape scale, the private and public lands.
When complete, the project that calls for the selective thinning of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush will result in a carefully-crafted natural mosaic that will
help to stabilize the watershed and stem the potential for flooding in Ely, while providing for native wildlife, such as the Greater Sage Grouse and mule
deer.
Learn more about the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and its restoration efforts by contacting Betsy Macfarlan, executive director, at (775) 289-
7974, or by visiting the coalition’s website at www.envlc.org.
- end -
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
ENLC NO. 04-005
FOR RELEASE: Friday, Dec. 3, 2004
CONTACT: Betsy Macfarlan (775) 289-7974
ENLC Member Receives Outstanding Rancher Commendation
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition this week added its voice to others congratulating the John Uhalde and Company Ranch, a long-time
eastern Nevada sheep and cattle operation, which in November was awarded the prestigious 2004 Outstanding Rancher Commendation.
“For years, the John Uhalde and Company Ranch has been known industry-wide as an operation that promotes the long-term health of the landscape.
It is gratifying to know that the ranch is finally being recognized publicly for its efforts,” Betsy Macfarlan, the coalition’s executive director, said Thursday.
Awarded periodically, the Outstanding Rancher Commendation is presented only to those ranching operations employing management practices that
benefit the long-term health of the public lands while remaining profitable. The recipient is selected by a panel representing the Nevada Cattlemen’s
Association, Nevada Farm Bureau, Society for Range Management, Nevada Division of Agriculture and Bureau of Land Management.
The John Uhalde and Company Ranch was this year’s lone recipient, receiving the commendation for its progressive ranching methods, which include
livestock rotation and water-hauling to protect the natural resources. The announcement was made at the annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
banquet, held last month in Reno. Named Rancher of the Year for 2004 was Agee Smith, of Elko County.
The John Uhalde and Company Ranch is a founding member of the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and operators Gracian, Mike and John
contribute a significant amount of time each year on coalition projects, such as the Gleason Creek Research and Demonstration Project, about nine
miles west of Ely.
Viewed by many as a landmark effort in the use of science to restore health to eastern Nevada landscapes, the roughly 2,000-acre project, which lies at
the north end of the nearly 40,000-acre watershed it is named after, is a collaborative effort by the BLM and coalition, a 501c3 non-profit organization
whose sole purpose is to restore, on a landscape scale, the private and public lands.
When complete, the project that calls for the selective thinning of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush will result in a carefully-crafted natural mosaic that will
help to stabilize the watershed and stem the potential for flooding in Ely, while providing for native wildlife, such as the Greater Sage Grouse and mule
deer.
Learn more about the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and its restoration efforts by contacting Betsy Macfarlan, executive director, at (775) 289-
7974, or by visiting the coalition’s website at www.envlc.org.
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| Publications |
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition
Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition