International Forest Day
Forests supply the world with priceless resources, from oxygen, water, and food, to medicine, lumber, paper, and much more. On March 21st, we honor these biomes by celebrating the International Day of Forests and promoting reforestation projects worldwide.
To commemorate the holiday this year, I reached out to the U.S. Forest Service to learn more about Nevada’s forests. Particularly those located within the Spring Mountains.
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Those living in or visiting Las Vegas might be familiar with our “local” forest, located West of the valley in the Spring Mountains, also known as Mount Charleston.
“The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area encompasses more than 300,000 acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest,” said Chris Sukach, the Public Affairs Specialist for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
According to Sukach, the Spring Mountains represent one ranger district out of seven that make up the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The other districts include the Austin-Tonapah, Bridgeport, Carson, Ely, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge, and Santa Rosa Ranger Districts.
Unlike most national forests, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is non-contiguous. With sections scattered throughout the coverage area, the forest spans two states, with 90% residing in Nevada. The other 10% extend into Eastern California through the Carson and Bridgeport Districts.
Altogether, the forest consists of 6.3 million acres, making the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest the largest National Forest in the lower 48 states.
Forest of the Spring Mountains
Sukach explained that the Spring Mountains National Recreation Act established the Spring Mountain Recreation Area (SMNRA) in 1993. The bill created the management of this area to achieve six general purposes:
- The conservation of scenic, scientific, historical, cultural, and other values contributing to public enjoyment;
- The conservation of fish and wildlife populations and habitat, including the use of prescribed fire to improve or maintain habitat;
- The protection of watersheds and the maintenance of free-flowing streams and the quality of ground and surface waters in accordance with applicable law;
- Public outdoor recreation benefits, including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, rock climbing, camping, and nature study;
- Wilderness areas as designated by Congress; and
- The management and use of natural resources in a manner compatible with the purposes for which the Recreation Area is established.
She added that the state of Nevada passed its own version of the Act in 2009. This legislation, among other things, limited certain planning and zoning powers that local governments could exercise in the area. It also limits gaming and the number of restricted license holders for hunting.
Environment
Though commonly referred to as Mt. Charleston, Charleston Peak is one of the multiple mountaintops found in the Spring Mountain Recreation Area. It’s also the highest peak in the range and the Mojave Desert, climbing to nearly 12,000 feet in elevation.
Isolated from the surrounding low-land desert area, the Spring Mountains accommodate seven ecological zones varying in climate and vegetation. It ranges from 3,000 feet up to the 11,918-foot summit, creating what’s called a “sky island.”
Comprised of rugged mountains, towering cliffs, steep hillsides, and deep narrow canyons are found through the range. Widely scattered creosote bush, white bursage, Mojave yucca, Joshua tree, black brush, and other shrubs dominate the desert landscape surrounding it.
“The plants, animals, and insects found in our forest are interconnected in complex ecosystems,” Sukach said. “Each affects the other.”
Flora & Fauna
Due to the mountain range’s geographic location and elevation gradient, nine types of conifer species reside throughout the Spring Mountains. In all, 1,015 plant species have been identified here.
Sukach explained that Charleston Peak’s summit marks the home of the Great Basin’s southernmost extent of the alpine ecosystem. “While it looks barren, low-growing vegetation, endemic to the Spring Mountains, grows between the rocks on these wind-swept summits,” she said. “Below the alpine summit, a forest of ancient bristlecone pine covers the ridges and slopes. Lower down, extensive forests of limber pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, and pinyon-juniper woodlands cover the landscape.”
The various ecological zones in the SMNRA support a diversity of life. Animals big and small reside here, such as deer, wild horses, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, birds, and chipmunks. Many insect species live there, including over 75 species of butterflies and moths, seven of which are endemic species.
An endemic species is one whose range is restricted to a limited geographical area. The SMNRA is home to an estimated 25 species of plants, animals, and insects found nowhere else in the world. One of these includes the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly, an endangered species in the Spring Mountains, protected under the Endangered Species Act.
“Several species of butterflies found in the Spring Mountains are very small and difficult to see,” Sukach said. “That’s why it’s important to stay on established trails when you’re visiting the Spring Mountains to help preserve these habitats.”
Water
Like an oasis in the desert, the Spring Mountains received its name for the naturally occurring springs throughout the range.
“Over 150 springs occur here, some of which are home to unique, in some cases endemic, vegetation and invertebrate species,” Sukach said. “Nearly 25% of all vegetation found on the Spring Mountains is associated with springs and streams that occur here.”
Unbeknownst to most people, the water and snowmelt from the Spring Mountains flow down through the watershed, disappearing under the desert into our water table. Eventually, this flow feeds into Lake Mead, directly contributing to our ability to live in the desert.
“Water is scarce in [Southern Nevada], which makes the Spring Mountains an important source of water to help replenish our aquifers and provide critical habitat for our plants and animals that reside here,” Sukach said.
Recreation
The Spring Mountains offer many recreational opportunities to people with more than 20 different trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. There’s also a lodge and restaurant at the top of Kyle Canyon Road and the Visitor’s Gateway Center at the bottom.
As a result, Las Vegas local and environmental tourists worldwide visit the SMNRA to hike, camp, rock climb, mountain bike, bird watch, and more. For those wanting to get out of the city, three scenic byways offer breathtaking views of the Mojave Desert below.
According to a 2019 report conducted by the USDA, “The SMNRA provides over one million visitors annually an opportunity to escape the desert heat of summer, as well as enjoy the only Southern Nevada ski area and winter recreation opportunities within 200 miles.”
Sukach mentioned that the visitor count is likely higher now, as this data comes from a survey conducted several years ago. “We’re conducting another survey this year and look forward to the results,” she said.
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Conservation & Preservation of the Forest
The U.S. Forest Service conducts a lot of work in the areas it manages, working cooperatively with other agencies, like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to protect species and their native habitats. Since 2012, the USFS has restored more than 49 million acres of forestland in the United States.
“We also conduct prescribed burns to help manage fuels on the [SMNRA] as well as work to restore springs and natural habitats in the area damaged by wildfires,” Sukach said. She went on to say that it’s the USFS’s mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. To preserve these environments, revenue from campground and entrance fees help cover these areas’ maintenance and development costs.
“Healthy forests provide so many benefits to people and communities,” she said. “Whether you enjoy hiking and fishing or simply value breathing fresh air and drinking clean tap water, you too benefit from forests. Restoring our forests ensures that everyone can enjoy the many benefits that forests provide people and communities.”
In order to supplement the agency’s conservation efforts, cleanup events and other volunteer opportunities allow people to protect public lands and recreational areas like the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
According to the 2019 USDA report, more than 3,200 volunteers took part in nearly 115,000 volunteer hours. The IRS values this work at 2.9 million dollars, based on its calculation rate of a volunteer hour and the amount of work accomplished by volunteers over the previous year.
In addition, Sukach specified that of those 3,200 volunteers, 2,800 of them worked in the SMNRA, conducting 89,000 hours of volunteer work, making up most of that value.
#GetinMotion for the Forest!
Just like Smokey The Bear says, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires,” an individual has the ability to help or harm our public lands. Protecting places like the Spring Mountains involves more than volunteering – though that helps tremendously. Our actions impact these areas significantly, so it’s up to all of us to protect them.
“It’s really about personal responsibility and being mindful when recreating in this unique environment,” Sukach explained. “Stay on designated trails, take only pictures of the things you see, and pack out all of your waste/trash, including dog droppings.”
If you want to get involved in protecting the SMNRA or learn more about the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, visit the Forest Service’s website.
Likewise, keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities in the SMNRA by checking out some of the agency’s partner organizations, including Go Mt. Charleston, Southern Nevada Conservancy, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, and the Great Basin Institute. Volunteer events may be limited due to the pandemic.
To take action with legislative efforts, watch for bills or policies proposed by environmental organizations, the state, or the federal government relating to our national forest(s). If and when they come up, make sure to call or write to your representatives to voice your opinion on the matter. A recent example of a bill relating to areas like the Spring Mountains is the Dark Skies Initiative.
Most importantly, respect the forest whenever you visit it, be responsible, and do what you can to protect it. You can also support reforestation efforts, including projects like One Tree Planted. They’re a tree-planting charity promoting afforestation for just $1 per tree.
In honor of International Forests Day, Millennials in Motion Magazine will be planting five trees in our national forests through OTP’s partnership with the USFS.
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