Dear Members,
Over the last thirty-two years NBU has been built on our passion for wildlife and the habitat we have the freedom and opportunity to spend time in. NBU is more than just bighorn sheep; it’s about all wildlife, our families, friends and passing on the traditions of our Nevada outdoors and wildlife heritage to future generations. There is nothing better than an excursion to the outdoors, spending time with our youth, and building relationships that will carry on our outdoor wildlife heritage for generations to come.
On October 1st we had 94 volunteers show up and build two big game guzzlers just east of Reno on Clark Mountain in the Virginia range. This was exciting to see all the different people, young and old come together and work to build something that will impact wildlife for years to come. We had people from four different states, several youngsters, lots college students from the UNR Cast and Blast Club and Wildlife Society and people from all walks of life. It was a very humbling experience for me to be a part of this huge coming together of folks to do something for wildlife.
We followed this up on October 28th and November 3rd by releasing a total of 42 Desert Bighorn Sheep into that very same range to make it their new home! Many volunteer families came out to help with the release and were able to watch history being made. In addition to transplanting Bighorns in our own back yard NDOW captured and relocated a total of 165 Desert and 52 California Bighorn Sheep. To my knowledge a feat of this magnitude has never been accomplished before, much less attempted, and it is all because of your dedication, countless volunteer hours and donations that made it happen.
On November 18, I had the honor on behalf of NBU to present NDOW Director Ken Mayer with a donation check for $150,000 to fund the capture, release and monitoring program. Along with our donation, Brian Elmore from NBU-Midas presented their donation as well as a donation from Elko Bighorns. These funds will be deposited into a dedicated wildlife fund with NDOW, and specifically provide funding for this 2011-2012 trap and transplant effort.
I would be remiss if I also did not acknowledge the Wild Sheep Foundation as a contributor to this project. WSF fully funded one of the two guzzlers that NBU constructed in October in advance of the Virginia Range re-introduction. WSF President Gray Thornton, as well as a number of WSF volunteers also helped with the labor to get these guzzlers completed in time. NBU has been saving and working towards this day when we could contribute to such a monumental achievement in the history of Nevada by planting a herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep back in the Virginia Range where they once roamed over a century ago.
We have moved sheep from the Stonewalls to the Excelsior Range, where we built two big game guzzlers earlier this year near Mina. We moved bighorn sheep from the River Mountains to the Gold Buttes and into the Delamars; from the Muddy Mountains to the Delamars; from the Muddy Mountains to the Meadow Valley Range; from the Bare Mountains to the South Pahroc Range; from Monte Cristos to the Virginia Range; from the Pine Forest to Martin Creek; and from Calico Mountain to the Santa Rosas. But we are not done yet! We have plans to do additional transplanting work in January.
With that I ask that you mark your calendars for the 32nd Annual NBU Fundraising Banquet at the Peppermill on April 6th 2012. Come and help us celebrate the wildlife and habitat accomplishments of 2011. Tickets are on sale now. You can obtain individual tickets through the NBU web site or email any director. We are going to do an Early Bird Raffle again this year for those who purchase a table of ten by January 31st. Your NBU directors are all busy planning some new exciting ideas for the banquet, so don’t miss out.
The Wild sheep show is coming to Reno on January 19th through the 21st and NBU volunteers will be helping to get the exhibitors moved in and out. So if you would like to volunteer email me and we will get the detailed information out to you. I heard a rumor that Mel is working on a plan to cook his very special Tri Tip sandwiches for lunch on move in day! In our booth this year we will be showing some spectacular capture and release footage from all over our state that Jake Willers of Nine Caribou Productions is in the process of editing now, so be sure to stop by!
In closing I would like to thank you for your continued support of NBU and our mission! You made this all possible!
From our NBU family to yours,
Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
And remember to be safe! |
