BLM looking for final approval of private lands trade to complete Red Cliffs Desert “Tortoise” Reserve
The endangered Desert Tortoise is native to California and Nevada as well as portions of Utah and Arizona; however, despite its seemingly wide range of habitat, this species has declined dramtically to where there are an estimated 100,000 animals left in the wild. One crucial habitat for this tortoise is the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area located in Utah. It is estimated that 2% of the population inhabits this area, and the Washington County Habitat Conservation Plan has been working for 20 years, attempting to bring permanent protection to the native range of the species. Although the Reserve consists of protected land, there are 605 acres of private land within the area which the Bureau of Land Management is attempting to change into public land. They are suggesting a land exchange and are waiting on the public, which have until May 5, to give their opinion on the matter.
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Conservation
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Biology
9 year old uses statistics to study desert tortoises
Ecology
United States national bird harming turtles
Education
Celebrating Turtles at Osbornedale State Park
Tour guide recounts his adventures
Miscellany
Blackout laws on beaches dangerous to humans
Did You Know…
Manouria emys (Burmese Brown)builds nests using leaf litter and actively guards her nest.
