The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis office completed the Ferris Creek project for National Public Lands Day. Volunteers included ranchers, firefighters, BLM employees. Even children assisted with the project.
On Friday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m. the BLM set out toward Ferris Creek near the Argenta Allotment, to construct a fence in the area. This project is one of several projects in the state of Nevada, sponsored by the BLM.
BLM Public Affairs Officer for the Elko District office, Greg Deimel explained, “This is one of the first projects by the BLM for National Public Lands Day. Public Lands Day is a program that was started over 20 years ago as an opportunity for volunteers to come out and help improve the landscape and improve the area.”
Deimel noted every BLM district in Nevada has a project to be completed for National Public Lands Day. He also mentioned that volunteers received a few benefits from donating their time, including a free pass to any federal park, a t-shirt and the opportunity to help the environment.
According to blm.gov, National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Typically the projects are organized on the last Saturday in Sept., but the Mount Lewis office held the day on a Friday this year to bring in more volunteers.
Prior to the event, Ferris Creek Project Manager, Adam Cochran said, “What we will be doing is putting in the jack rail fence around the stream. We will be doing the BLM section of the creek, and it is going to help with the restoration of the stream, the health and the habitat for wildlife within the enclosure.” He also said sage grouse markers would be put on the fence to help divert the bird’s flight path and prevent collisions.
According to the BLM, the goal was to enclose approximately 23.4 acres, tying into the Carico Lake and Argenta Allotment boundary fence. The fence is 0.8 miles and also encompasses 21.3 acres of riparian habitat and adjacent uplands.
The BLM hopes this project will help the bring more wildlife to the area. This and other public lands projects around the state give volunteers an opportunity to make a real difference for their public lands.
