What We Do


California Desert Conservation & Recreation Act

We support legislation which would protect our unique desert heritage

On February 9, 2015 Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015 (CDCRA). This bill is a balanced approach to conserving our public lands, designating National Monuments, Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers across the desert, while also designating National Off-Highway Vehicle Areas to ensure sustained recreational opportunities in the desert.

Tamarisk Treatment

The Amargosa Basin stands to benefit from strong conservation and recreation provisions in the CDCRA. The Avawatz Mountains, the Kingston Range Additions, and the Soda Mountains are all important components of our watershed, and would all be designated as BLM Wilderness Areas.

Click here to find maps of the CDCRA proposed areas. Overview and detailed maps are included.

Propersed designations in the Amargosa Basin from the CDCRA

CDCRA would designate two additional miles of Amargosa Wild and Scenic River (WSR), connecting the privately held and vitally important Shoshone Spring to the existing 26 miles of WSR, transfer management of the infamous “Bowling Alley” to the National Park Service, and designate much of the land as Wilderness.

CDCRA would also designate Dumont Dunes as a National Off-Highway Vehicle Area. We at the Amargosa Conservancy are strongly supportive of such a designation. We believe that responsible Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation is an important part of the heritage of our public. After all, who doesn’t enjoy throwing the truck into 4WD and heading off into the desert? Designating Dumont Dunes will provide assurances of locations for OHV recreation. This designation will also promote economic development in the communities of the north Mojave Desert.

Initial work was done with California Youth Conservation Crews using chain saws and herbicide, but the bulk of the work around Shoshone was done by the Sweat Company using large excavators equipped with a grasping attachment which allowed for the tamarisk trees to be pulled out, roots and all. The trees so removed were chipped and left as mulch.

We are proud members of the Campaign for the California Desert. Visit the Campaign for the California Desert Facebook page.

From our blog: CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION & RECREATION ACT

Stewardship on the Desert Conservation Lands Retrospective: Hydrologic Monitoring

Stewardship on the Desert Conservation Lands Retrospective: Hydrologic Monitoring

In coming weeks, we expect the Bureau of Land Management to finalize the Desert Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan (DRECP), in which the public lands of the Amargosa Basin are likely to be designated at California Desert Conservation Lands. To celebrate, we are highlighting the decade-long partnership between the Amargosa Conservancy and the BLM to engage in stewardship on these lands

Stewardship on the Desert Conservation Lands Retrospective: The Amargosa River Trail

In coming weeks, we expect the Bureau of Land Management to finalize the Desert Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan (DRECP), in which the public lands of the Amargosa Basin are likely to be designated at California Desert Conservation Lands. To celebrate, we are highlighting the decade-long partnership between the Amargosa Conservancy and the BLM to engage in stewardship on these lands

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