Bighorn Sheep enjoying a recent afternoon at Hemenway Park in Boulder City.
The mission statement of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is simple – Connecting people to wildlife in a positive way – and they are executing that mission with a variety of community outreach programs designed to help residents of Nevada learn more about the animals we may encounter as we share this state with various species of wildlife.
Many people are aware of the flagship education programs offered by NDOW: hunter education, archery education, angler education and boater education. What many people aren’t aware of are the department’s wildlife education programs for people of all ages.
During a recent visit to Veterans Memorial Park, residents were invited to go on a “Bat Walk” to learn more about the various species of bats that inhabit Southern Nevada. A special measuring device, a bat detector of sorts, was used to pick up the sounds of the bats around the fishing pond as they began their nightly hunt for food. While no bats were visible on this trip, more than a hundred were picked up on the bat detector. Participants learned about the size of the different types of bats at the park, their typical diet, ways to protect bats from common threats, and other interesting facts.
Another popular education program introduces the public to birdwatching on Mount Charleston. Two classes are coming up on November 6th and 13th for those interested. The class sizes are purposely small, with about fifteen people per class. This allows for the participants to ask questions of the NDOW staff and delivers a more personal experience.
Nevada’s Bighorn Sheep are also popular subjects for wildlife education. There is an upcoming class on November 5th in Overton for those who would like to learn more about the state animal and its habitat. For a more diverse education, you may sign up for this week’s “Creatures of the Night” class just over the hill at Clark County Wetlands Park. Again, class sizes are limited so be sure to check back frequently for new classes being added.
To find out more about the programs offered locally, click HERE.
