Date: 4/24/08
Contact: C. Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

WILDLIFE VIEWING EVENT

Spring is perhaps the best time of year for viewing wildlife, so the Nevada Department of Wildlife is sponsoring a Wildlife Watch Saturday, May 3, 2008. The wildlife viewing event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Overton Wildlife Management Area, about an hour drive from Las Vegas.

Staff from the NDOW Wildlife Education Program will lead the event, which is part of the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Nature Quest program and follows National Wildlife Week. Several times a year, folks are encouraged to get outside, view nature and record the wildlife species that they see. When reported, the numbers go into a nationwide database and the results can be seen on the NWF website, http://www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch/.

The Wildlife Watch will consist of a guided hike through the Management Area, and participants will receive a photographic reference to commonly sighted species. Hikers will also learn about animal tracks and other signs of animal presence. The Watch is suitable for adults and children. Sorry, no pets.

The Overton Wildlife Management Area is located at 1000 S. Waterfowl Rd., off of Moapa Valley Boulevard at the east end of the town of Overton. It can be reached by taking I-15 north from Las Vegas to Highway 169 east or by Highway 169 north from the Valley of Fire or Lake Mead. For more information about Overton and other state wildlife management areas visit the web at www.ndow.org/about/pubs/#wma or call the Management Area at (702) 397-2142.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.