Desert land conservation initiatives in Las Vegas, Nevada

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Las Vegas, located at 755 East Flamingo Road, is a leading institution dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and finding solutions to environmental challenges. With over 600 employees and projects on all seven continents, DRI conducts research in various fields such as air quality, climate, renewable energy, and hydrology. One of the recent studies conducted by DRI researchers focused on the compounding effects of flood drivers, which can increase the risk of extreme floods in watersheds worldwide. Another study examined the impact of repeated wildfires on post-fire flood frequency in a southern California watershed.

The Corn Creek Visitor Center is a park and tourist attraction located at 16001 Corn Creek Road in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The center serves as a gateway to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, protecting a diverse landscape of ecosystems and wildlife. The schedule for public entry to the refuge has changed to improve visitor experiences and ensure the safety of staff and visitors. The automatic access gate on Corn Creek Road opens at 4:00 a.m. and closes at sunset, allowing visitors to explore the refuge during these hours. Backcountry camping is permitted, but visitors must enter the refuge between 4:00 a.m. and sunset. The center is closed on Mondays through November 2023. The refuge roads are accessible 24 hours a day, but caution is advised due to recent rains. The Desert National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 500 species of plants and a variety of wildlife, including the desert bighorn sheep and Mojave desert tortoise. Visitors can participate in conservation efforts, research projects, and citizen science initiatives at the refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with partners to conserve and protect the natural resources of the refuge for the benefit of the American people.

Discovery Park is a unique institution located at 1170-1180 Pahrump Valley Boulevard in Pahrump, Nevada. It serves as a park, tourist attraction, and zoo, offering visitors a chance to explore and learn about the diverse habitats of the Mojave desert. As a local Audubon organization, Discovery Park is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the preservation of habitats for birds and other wildlife in southern Nevada. The institution is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, actively involved in communities across the region since 1976.