Snapshots of the Lower Carson Slough
Author Josh Jackson’s The Enduring Wild invites readers to explore California’s forgotten BLM lands, including the Amargosa River—revealing their beauty, fragility, and urgent need for protection.
From our AC News Blog:
Notes from the Field
Extremophilia: Introducing AC Staff Scott H Williams
by Scott H Williams As an environmental scientist, I wonder at times whether the detached, data-driven approach to the scientific study of the natural world inevitably alienates us from having a deep spiritual appreciation for nature. Does quantitatively analyzing the...
I asked ChatGPT to write a blog post about the Amargosa River. Here’s what happened.
by Mason Voehl Executive Director Artificial intelligence's moment has been long in coming, and now it's arrived. Testing the capacities of novel AI engines such as ChatGPT to "outsource" what has long been thought to be the strictly human activity of writing has been...
Film: Keepers of Bitter Waters
Keepers of the Bitter Waters: A film by Fred Bell.
This past season as a natural resource steward in Shoshone, California
While the work we did here specifically fits the needs of these landscapes, the sustainable practices we implored and the skills we learned can be carried on with us to our future endeavors, able to be adapted to varying landscape types.
Back on the Tracks
After a few hectic weeks, the Amargosa Conservancy interns are getting back to their normal routine.
The Great Old Broads Visit for a “Broadwork”
The Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a national organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. Their mission statement says that they bring knowledge, commitment, and humor to the movement to protect our last wild places on earth, and boy- they did not disappoint.
Vertical Mulching: A story of “Planting Dead Branches” to Restore Desert Habitat
Decompressing the soil, collecting dead parts of live bushes, putting them in a hole, filling the hole with rocks and soil and texturing the surrounding soil to naturalize an area in desperate need of rehab – steps to successful vertical mulching.
Spring Updates – Wildflowers of 2017
As they days lengthen in the Amargosa Basin, some spring flowers are starting their show.
While it’s not the great super-bloom of last year, for those willing to go explore there are plenty of treasures to find out there!
Motor Vehicle Musings
The Conservancy has been strategizing with the BLM to restore the damaged areas off-route and provide post and cable barriers to prevent future incursions, as well as place interpretative signs and maps so recreators know where they are and how they can play a part in making sure the next generation has access to the same opportunities we have now.
Rodent Restoration Ramblings
“What is a vole?”
Bulrush in Blossom: Spring in the Amargosa Valley
Growing Native Bulrush in human care. We hope that supplementing the already existing bulrush in the marsh will help to facilitate even more successful growth rates. Soon enough, all of this happily growing bulrush will be more than ready to house it’s furry friend, the Amargosa vole.
Happy Faces in Muddy Places
As an AmeriCorps intern through the Student Conservation Association (SCA), my role at the Amargosa Conservancy is to be a steward of the surrounding lands and waters. Recently, my efforts have been focused on removing tamarisk from the Shoshone wetlands.
Notes from the Field: Into the Muck
I’m lucky enough to learn from the experts and will soon take on the endeavor of helping with weekly pond maintenance.