Protect the Sheep Range

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THREAT

The Desert National Wildlife Refuge, just outside the city lights of Las Vegas, is home to one of Nevada’s largest desert bighorn sheep populations and at over 1.6 million acres, it’s the largest wildlife refuge in the contiguous United States. Yet, once again it’s under assault by the military.

The military is currently trying to expand the Nevada Test and Training Range into the beloved Sheep Range Proposed Wilderness Complex, which is made up three distinct yet continuous areas: the Sheep Range Proposed Wilderness, the Gass Peak Proposed Wilderness, and the Las Vegas Range Proposed Wilderness.  At 420,752 acres, the Sheep Range is the largest remaining roadless area in Nevada. It is currently managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a manner to protect its wilderness value.  Combined, this complex makes up 637,610 acres of some of the wildest natural habitat in the state for bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, and more. 

PLAN

In early December, the Air Force will be releasing their formal proposal to take over more of the refuge and proposed wilderness.  We plan to show the military there is wide grassroots support for the protection of this wild area. 

We plan to do this by:

• Delivering 1000+ postcards and comments submitted by concerned Nevadans during the comment period.
• Turning out hundreds of supporters to the six public meetings on the expansion.
• Amplifying our #DONTBOMBTHEBIGHORN message with social media posts, stickers, t-shirts and postcards to build awareness of the imminent threat to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. 

GOAL

Short-term - Stop or reduce any expansion of the Nevada Test and Training Range over the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Find a win-win solution that protects national security while protecting wildlife, wilderness, and public access.

Long-term - Protect the Sheep Range complex as congressionally designated Wilderness

Your voice is critical. Speak up using the hashtag #DONTBOMBTHEBIGHORN

Photos by (top to bottom): Sharon Schafer, Kirk Peterson, and Jose Witt