Explore past and ongoing projects that the Lander County Conservation District has planned, funded, or supported. Scroll down to learn more!

Funded 2016, Completed 2018-2019

Installation of well pump, solar panels and pipe helped to divert water from 4 natural springs and riparian area used by Sage Grouse. The lack of cattle interference helped restore these areas for better water access to Sage Grouse and other wildlife.

2018

Three mesic-meadows totaling 9 acres on the Joe Saval Company Ranch southwest of Battle Mountain were restored and protected in order to improve Sage Grouse and other wildlife habitat. Small depressions were restored within the meadows, causing them to become ephemeral wetlands that produce a diversity of plants for Sage Grouse and provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds.

2018-ONGOING

Ferris Creek, located approximately 20 miles south of Battle Mountain, has been a large, continuous weed spraying project since 2018. Targeting both private and public lands, Lander County Conservation District teamed up with several participating agencies to spray 400 acres of the noxious weed "Hoary Cress" (also known as Whitetop.) Whitetop generally crowds out all other beneficial vegetation and destabilizes the creek beds. A seeding rehabilitation plan for the area has been established and is due to be completed in 2025.

2019

Several miles south of Battle Mountain in Bateman Creek, a diversion structure and trough were installed at the mouth of the canyon to divert water into an existing riparian area well used by Sage Grouse, while remaining water ran through pipe to trough to provide water for cattle watering nearby who were tramping existing riparian area and preventing Sage Grouse from entering.

2019

With assistance from BLM, a Fire-line fence and cattle-guard were installed several miles southeast of Battle Mountain to help mitigate future wildfires and prevent them from spreading towards town.

2021-2025

Steiner and Duffy Meadows (found on private property along the Reese River, north of Austin) offer important habitat for wildlife including brooding habitat for sage grouse and other upland game species. These areas are also important as a forage base for livestock throughout the year for Silver Creek Ranches. Noxious weeds including tall white-top, hoary cress and knapweed found throughout these meadows where sprayed annually for three (3) years. Further spraying to be completed in 2025.

2021

Crews were contracted to treat tall white-top, hoary cress, leafy spurge and knapweed infestations along the creek drainage. Treatment was needed because the weeds were causing a loss of ecological function and have caused an increase in run-off, erosion, loss of habitat, depletion of water, and lack of forage. The weeds are invasive and impact both natural systems and agricultural systems. Hilltop (or also known as Crum) Canyon is in critical Sage Grouse habitat.

2021

About 20 miles south of Battle Mountain lies the Schwin Ranch. Approximately 30 acres of hoary cress, Russian knapweed, bull thistle, scotch thistle, mullein, and horehound were sprayed.

2021, 2023

Approximately 15 miles south of Battle Mountain you will find Indian Creek. Alongside the creek is a checkerboard of private and public lands, all overrun with tall whitetop (hoary cress). Spraying has been done 2016-2017, again in 2021 and 2023, covering around 300 miles. Several landowners that denied spraying this year were adamant about approving next year as the tall whitetop has become a large nuisance to them and their animals.

LCCD will continue working with partners at NDOW, BLM and NRCS to establish a seeding rehabilitation plan for the area

2022

The Home Ranch Project was a project on privately owned land located approximately 10 miles south of Battle Mountain to install a stock water trough. Phase 1 included drilling a well and installing a pump with solar panels to help replace a collapsed well. This allowed better dispersion for cattle while implementing the rotation schedule set forth by the National Riparian Team and local BLM and provided a much-needed source of water to the local antelope and mule deer populations, who would otherwise travel several additional miles for water when the pivots providing their water were closed for haying. LCCD provided funding for drilling, pump and solar panels as well as their installation (completed in February of 2022).

Approved 2022

The Kingston Pond is a healthy established ecosystem but needs regular maintenance. After a runoff event the Pond is being invaded by more cattail and bull rush plants which are causing increased sedimentation and loss of open available water for wildlife.

The project will treat cattails, rushes, and aquatic weeds. The project will also remove the increased sedimentation in the pond. Project will help reestablish fish habitat. Project will develop and help outline a management plan.

NDOW and other partners are willing to develop and install signs which inform visitors about pond habitats, the fish that live there and how ponds work. NDOW would also be installing a sign about the fish they plant and how to ID them. The interpretive sign development would be developed by partners and given for review to Kingston for final approval.

Partner Project 2023

LCCD and other partners have committed to assist the Battle Mountain High School with restoration, wildlife habitat, noxious weed abatement, signage, and other phases of the pond restoration. Previously the pond was being overrun by domesticated ducks and geese, garbage, and weeds. After dredging the pond and relocating the fish, the Nevada Department of Wildlife restocked the Duck Pond with juvenile Large Mouth Bass and Channel Catfish, the BLM has removed a lot of the old Russian Olive Tree debris, new picnic tables and wildlife repellent trash bins have been installed, and an ADA approved dock was put in. Future plans include a paved walkway around the perimeter of the pond and wildlife/native plant signage.