Celebrate the Silver State's diverse natural, cultural wonders this Nevada Day

CARSON CITY — Did you know that Nevada Day is the largest celebration of statehood in the nation? Nevada Day is more than an extraordinary parade, it is Nevada’s heritage celebration – a gathering of communities to salute our State’s past and embrace its future.

As we commemorate Nevada’s frontier legacy and its entry into the Union as the 36th state on October 31, 1864, the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR) is helping to educate communities throughout the Silver State about the extraordinarily diverse natural and cultural wonders that contribute to Nevada’s unique sense of place.

As Nevadans celebrate the 154th Nevada Day, NDCNR is excited to share the following interesting facts about our natural and cultural treasures, which bring the essence of Nevada’s heritage to life. Below are just a few of the many Nevada highlights from NDCNR’s various divisions and programs.

Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP)
— More than 300 species live exclusively in Nevada, and cannot be found anywhere else in the world
— Nevada is ranked as the 11th most biodiverse state in the U.S.
— Nevada features diverse habitats spanning 110,572 miles statewide
— Nevada has wetlands! More than 350 native plant and animal species live exclusively in Nevada’s wetland habitats
— Nevada has the 3rd highest percentage of at-risk species in the U.S.

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)
— There are 232,645 acres of permitted mine lands in Nevada. NDEP ensures these areas minimize impacts to Nevada’s air, land, and water resources
— 100 percent of Nevada’s outdoor air quality, under NDCNR jurisdiction, achieves top state and national quality standards, though wildfire smoke occasionally impacts our air
— $845 million in water infrastructure funding has been provided to Nevada communities
Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF)
— Forests and rangeland are a critical part of maintaining the health of Nevada’s ecosystems
— NDF restores, treats, and enhances more than 5,000 acres of Nevada’s forests and rangeland every year – from Lake Tahoe Mt. Charleston to the Ruby Mountains and everywhere in between
— Nevada has approximately 620 wildland fires per year
— NDF hosts more than 100 outreach and education events annually, providing wildfire prevention awareness, community safety and conservation education to more than 40,000 people
— NDF produces 60,000 plants and procures 40,000 pounds of seed annually for fire rehabilitation and natural resource conservation projects across the state
— NDF increases community wildfire safety, ecosystem health, and watershed function on 4,000 acres per year through vegetation management

Nevada Division of State Parks (NDSP)
— Nevada has 26 State Parks, spanning every geographic region throughout the State
— Nevada opened two new State Parks in 2018! The Walker River State Recreation Area, located near Yerington, officially opened to the public on September 22, 2018; the new Ice Age Fossils State Park, located in north Las Vegas, is slated to fully open in summer 2019
— Within the Nevada State Parks system, there are more than 350 interpretive programs and guided hikes each year, 23 campgrounds, nine designated historic sites, and access to numerous off-highway vehicle trails
— 3,616,147 people visited Nevada’s State Parks over the last year

Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR)
— Nevada is the driest state in the nation, with an average of 11 inches of precipitation per year
— 70 percent of Nevada’s groundwater is used for irrigation
— Nevada has 256 groundwater basins, 50,000 domestic wells, and 66,540 production wells
— Nevada has 662 dams statewide

Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (NSHPO)
— Nevada has more than 110,000 historic and cultural resources located throughout the state
— Thousands of people visit Nevada’s historic and cultural sites each year, including the 268 Nevada Historical Markers located along the State’s roadways
— $42 million in rehabilitation funding has been provided to 94 historic buildings to be used as cultural centers in Nevada communities
— Nevada’s Site Stewardship Program has 350 volunteers who steward our historic and cultural treasures
— In Nevada, there are 424 buildings & archaeological sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Nevada Division of State Lands (NDSL) – When Nevada became a State in 1864, the lands beneath navigable bodies of water passed to the State under the equal footing doctrine. The State holds title in trust for the people of Nevada so they may enjoy navigation of these waters, carry out commerce over them and have the liberty of fishing and recreating. In Nevada, these treasured waters include Lake Tahoe, the Colorado River, Washoe Lake, the Truckee River, the Carson River, Walker Lake, the Virgin River, and Winnemucca Lake.

Nevada Conservation Districts Program (NCDP) – Nevada has 28 conservation districts across the state to help promote local conservation efforts, based on the unique resources within each area. Conservation Districts are a critical part of protecting community ecosystems through using locally managed and directed conservation efforts.

Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program (NSEP) – Nevada’s sagebrush ecosystem covers over 2/3 of Nevada. This vast area is home to much of the State's plants and wildlife, but it is also an integral part of Nevada's culture and economy. Nevada’s sagebrush ecosystem serves as a key indicator of the health of Nevada’s overall natural environment. The Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program focuses on providing solutions and actions to the myriad of threats challenging the condition of the ecosystem and the plants, animals, and populations dependent upon the health and resiliency of this landscape.

Nevada Off-highway Vehicles Program (NOHVP) – The Nevada Off-highway Vehicles Program provides grant funding for projects that support safe, responsible opportunities to enjoy Nevada’s outdoor recreation treasures. Your OHV registrations create tomorrow’s off-road adventures!

For information about the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, please visit http://dcnr.nv.gov/. Additionally, visit www.nevadaday.visitcarsoncity.com/happenings for information about Nevada Day events.