New National Monument proposal in Las Vegas Valley

The largest late Pleistocene paleontological sites in the American Southwest

The Toiyabe Trails Jan/Feb/Mar 10

By Yuki Takgi

Nestled between Red Rock National Conservation Area and Desert National Wildlife Refuge, just a stone’s throw away from the Las Vegas metropolitan area, late Pleistocene paleontological sites in Upper Las Vegas Wash (also known as Tule Springs), await increased federal protection. Ice Age mammalian fossils identified include the Colombian mammoth, ground sloth, North American lion, camelops, bison, and ancient species of horses.

The area, with nearly 600 identified fossil sites, is scientifically noted as one of the largest and most significant in the Southwestern United States. The time period extends from 200,000 years ago until about 7000 years ago. As no other fossil-bearing site in the American southwest tracks this critical time period, this area is uniquely qualified for designation as a National Monument.

In addition to its paleontological treasures, the Upper Las Vegas Wash area provides habitat for rare plants and animals, many of them listed as sensitive by the State of Nevada. These sensitive species include the Las Vegas bearpoppy, Merriam’s bearpoppy, Las Vegas buckwheat, kit fox, and many others. The desert tortoise, Nevada’s State Reptile (currently a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act), is also found there.

Unfortunately, the fossil beds and surrounding fragile desert ecosystem are threatened by urban sprawl, ongoing or increased illicit recreation demand, and illegal dumping of residential and industrial waste, as well as ongoing vandalism and possible looting of irreplaceable paleontological resources.

What you can do. Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representative now and ask them to move swiftly to ensure the permanent protection of the Upper Las Vegas Wash/Tule Springs area. You can also take action by visiting our online petition page.

NOTE. Paleontological information courtesy of Kathleen Springer, Senior Curator of Geological Sciences, and Eric Scott, Curator of Paleontology, of the San Bernardino County Museum.

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