Chris Clarke March 31, 2025
Valley fever in El Paso: Fungal disease goes undetected
Cases of Valley fever in El Paso, caused by a fungus in desert dust, are likely underreported.
elpasomatters.org/2025/03/24/valley-fever-el-paso-dust-storms-disease
400 Fish and Wildlife firings could lead to extinctions in Joshua Tree
The loss of hundreds of Fish and Wildlife employees could have immediate and long-term impacts on wild places, including Joshua Tree National Park.
www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/fish-and-wildlife-firings-extinctions-joshua-tree-20232657.php
S4E9: DEI and Desert Protection
We explore the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also …
www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e9-dei-and-desert-protection
New bipartisan bill aims to expand Big Bend National Park's western boundary
A new bill proposes expanding Big Bend National Park by 6,100 acres to conserve the Terlingua watershed ecosystem.
www.mrt.com/news/article/big-bend-national-park-expansion-bill-20240563.php
$4M goes to Hopi Tribe to advance energy and water independence
The Hopi Tribe has been awarded $4,165,796 from the Department of Energy to deploy a 250-kW solar powered microgrid that will power two wells to deliver water to the villages of Upper and Lower Moenkopi.
www.nhonews.com/news/4m-goes-to-hopi-tribe-to-advance-energy-and-water-independence/article_50ec2f96-0448-11f0-9dcb-4b06ec0eee1f.html
BLM asks climbers to protect bighorn sheep in southern Utah
Long Canyon is a prime example of irreplaceable wildlife habitat, serving as an essential refuge for these species, reads the statement from the BLM.
www.moabtimes.com/articles/blm-asks-climbers-to-protect-bighorn-sheep-in-southern-utah
Why Death Valley’s Native tribe dislikes the park’s name
Death Valley National Park’s harsh desert environment can kill, but Timbisha Shoshone tribal members say it’s really a place about life.
www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/why-death-valleys-native-tribe-dislikes-the-parks-name-3342262
Army officials: 500 troops in Big Bend will not be arresting subjects
Maj. Jared Stefani, who is leading the battalion coming to the Big Bend, explained that American troops will be involved in “enhanced surveillance and detection,” and will not be responsible for arresting and detaining folks suspected of breaking immigration law.
bigbendsentinel.com/2025/03/26/army-officials-500-troops-in-big-bend-will-not-be-arresting-subjects-2/?mc_cid=29cee52d1d&mc_eid=9ccd90a12c
Judge refuses Utah's demand to dismiss lawsuit over the Great Salt Lake
A judge has refused to reject a lawsuit against the state of Utah that accuses leaders of not doing enough to save the Great Salt Lake.
www.fox13now.com/news/great-salt-lake-collaborative/judge-refuses-to-reject-lawsuit-accusing-utah-leaders-of-not-doing-enough-to-save-great-salt-lake
'It belongs to all of us': Advocates rally in support of protecting Arizona's public lands
A diverse coalition of advocacy groups rallied outside the Arizona State Capitol in support of public lands amid threats of mining and mass firings.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2025/03/28/advocates-rally-to-protect-arizona-public-lands/82678757007
Nevada Is Offering The First New National Park Experience Of Its Kind
Astronomy fans will definitely want to try out this one-of-a-kind road trip experience
www.thetravel.com/nevada-offering-new-national-park-experience-dark-sky-road-trip
'Woolly devil' flowers in Texas desert are the 1st new plant genus discovered in a US national park in almost 50 years
The last time a new genus was discovered in a National Park was Dedeckera eurekensis in Death Valley National Park, discovered in 1976.
www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/woolly-devil-flowers-in-texas-desert-are-the-1st-new-plant-genus-discovered-in-a-us-national-park-in-almost-50-years
One California national park is already seeing triple-digit temperatures
A high-pressure system brought a rare spring heat wave to Death Valley National Park.
www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/death-valley-100-degrees-2025-20244155.php
BLM proposes transmission project on New Mexico public land
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment starting Friday, March 28, until April 28, on a proposed Black Mountain transmission line project near Las Cruces.
www.lascrucesbulletin.com/stories/blm-proposes-project-on-public-land,112643
Mexican gray wolf wanders north of I-40 in New Mexico
A Mexican gray wolf has wandered 20 miles north of Interstate 40, the boundary for the area where the U.S. government is trying to recover the endangered species.
www.abqjournal.com/news/article_4fc5ffe7-470e-41f2-8607-75e06e7b623c.html
'Monumental' collection of ancient weapons found in Big Bend
Texas archaeologists discover what could be the oldest intact weapon system in North America in Big Bend.
www.chron.com/life/wildlife/article/big-bend-weapons-20246556.php
Trump's anti-DEI push suspends $20M grant for a Nevada tribe's water infrastructure
On March 7, the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) discovered it could no longer access the $20 million fund. Three days later on March 10, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced he was cancelling more than $1.7 billion worth of “DEI and Environmental Justice” grants.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/trumps-anti-dei-push-suspends-20m-grant-for-a-nevada-tribes-water-infrastructure
Opinion: Here's how much money Utah can save by investing in wildlife crossings
Wildlife crossings improve roadway safety, saving taxpayers money, and improve the success of wildlife populations.
www.deseret.com/opinion/2025/03/29/utah-wildlife-crossings-prevent-accidents-save-millions
'Tesla Takedown' protest in El Paso joins Elon Musk backlash nationwide
A crowd urged a Tesla boycott and waved signs against Elon Musk at a "Tesla Takedown" protest in El Paso, Texas.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/30/tesla-takedown-elon-musk-protest-in-el-paso-texas/82728969007/?tbref=hp
Photos: Large anti-Elon Musk protest at Tucson Tesla dealership
Over a thousand people protest Elon Musk outside of the Tucson Tesla dealership on Saturday morning.
tucson.com/news/collection_8e56e8d6-19dd-42c3-aa62-a3852aec0419.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest
Water researchers: Low Colorado River reservoirs show 'crisis endures'
Whether the low reservoir storage will eventually lead to cutbacks in water use, will depend on what the weather is like in the basin for the next year or two.
tucson.com/news/local/environment/article_229947ca-c11d-44a7-b449-e9238bc8fccb.html
Preservation Utah calls on community to nominate Utah’s most endangered historic places
Preservation Utah is seeking public nominations for the 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places List.
www.stgeorgeutah.com/life/preservation-utah-calls-on-community-to-nominate-utah-s-most-endangered-historic-places/article_4a557677-a9de-4a33-8f5b-906a889a7f97.html
How much is rain worth? Nevada lawmakers weigh continued funding for Desert Research Institute’s cloud seeding program
In a state where every raindrop counts, scientists in the Desert Research Institute’s Cloud Seeding Program have mastered the art of enhancing natural precipitation, transforming wispy clouds into meaningful rainfall and snowpack across Nevada’s parched landscape …
lasvegassun.com/news/2025/mar/31/how-much-is-rain-worth-lawmakers-weigh-continued-f
