FROM STATE TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR WILDLIFE WETLAND PRESERVE IN SPARKS

SPARKS, Nev. (July 16) – The Kiley Ranch Preservancy Foundation (the “Foundation”) announced today that it has acquired fee title to more than 200 acres of wetlands and uplands, plus 70 acre feet of allocated reclaim water for the creation of a special Wildlife Wetland Preserve located in the southern portion of Spanish Springs, one of the City of Sparks primary growth areas.  The Kiley Ranch North community lies to the west of the Preserve, Pioneer Meadows lies to the north, Vista Boulevard to the east and the Spanish Springs Flood Detention Dam lies to the south.

The Foundation received a generous grant from the State Question 1 Bond Fund in the amount of $1.7 million along with a matching donation from the Kiley family for the acquisition.

“Preserving this area is an important step in demonstrating the need to balance urban development with the preservation of natural wildlife habitats.  I hope this can serve as a model for other development within the region,” said Paul Curtis, president of the Foundation.  “Although still in the initial development and funding stages, we envision creating a visitor’s center, walking paths, bird viewing observation decks, interpretive signs and educational opportunities for the public, “ explained Curtis.
 

The Foundation will be the governing body of the Kiley Ranch Wildlife Wetland Preserve.  The 501(c) (3) not-for-profit foundation was founded in 2008 to acquire and manage the Preserve in order to protect and maintain the biodiversity of the natural resources, flora and fauna, and to provide environmental educational opportunities so that residents of the region can make informed decisions leading to respect for, and the enjoyment, conservation and responsible use of the natural systems.

 “The Kiley Ranch Preservancy Foundation demonstrated their strong commitment to preserving this valuable resource for the Spanish Springs Valley and worked diligently with State Lands and other agencies to ensure proper protection and management of these important wetlands in perpetuity,” stated Jim Lawrence, administrator of the Nevada Division of State Lands. 

A portion of the site has been identified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a suitable habitat for the endangered species known as the Carson Wandering Skipper (CWS). The CWS was identified within the boundary of the Preserve in the summer of 2005. Through site visits and close collaboration with the Foundation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers, all agreed that the proposed trails and observation areas are located in areas not thought to be harmful to the CWS habitat or the wetlands.

The Foundation hopes that the community will recognize the regional benefit of preserving this unusual resource.  The Foundation intends to create partnerships with business groups, government and other non-profit organizations to secure donations and to gain the support of community volunteers to help navigate the complex and exciting issues of maintaining the Preserve and its wildlife.

For more information about the Kiley Ranch Wildlife Wetland Preserve, log on to http://www.kileyranch.com/preservancy or contact Stacey Crowley, Vice President of the Foundation at scrowley@kileyranch.net or (775) 560-9228.

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