As an avid big-game hunter in Nevada, I have spent countless hours in the wilderness — tracking game, studying migration patterns and admiring the beauty of our state’s diverse basin and range landscapes. For me, hunting is more than a sport; it’s a tradition, a way to connect with nature, and a vital part of wildlife conservation.
Nevada’s wildlife habitats, however, face growing threats from challenges that seem overwhelming — prolonged drought, severe wildfires and the rapid spread of invasive weeds, all of which degrade critical habitats.
Despite these challenges, there are areas where meaningful progress can be made.
The expansion of roads and highways continues to fragment wildlife habitats, creating serious barriers for the animals we value. Yet Nevada has shown that thoughtful solutions are possible. To protect our wildlife and preserve these landscapes for future generations, the state must take decisive action by passing a bill to establish dedicated funding for constructing new wildlife crossings across Nevada.
Wildlife crossings — such as overpasses and underpasses designed to help animals safely traverse busy roadways — are a proven solution to reducing vehicle collisions with wildlife while simultaneously connecting important habitat. These structures are not just beneficial for the animals; they save human lives and prevent costly vehicle damage.
Every year, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation, more than 500 reported wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually, costing the state close to $20 million. Nevada has a long history of leadership in addressing this issue and has 79 animal crossings in place for both large and small animals, including six overpasses. But without dedicated funding for new hot-spot collision locations, our state risks falling behind as roadways expand and urban development encroaches on critical migration corridors.
In 2023, Gov. Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 12 into law. It created Nevada’s Wildlife Crossing Account and seeded this account with $5 million. The Nevada Department of Transportation is already utilizing these funds to leverage federal funds. While this is a significant step forward, it is only a starting point. A yearly recurring appropriation for wildlife crossings will provide certainty for project planning purposes, accelerating the construction of wildlife crossings where they are needed, keeping roads safe while connecting important habitat.
Critics may argue that funding wildlife crossings is an unnecessary expense, but the data tells a different story. Studies from states across the West show that wildlife crossings can reduce collisions by up to 90 percent. The economic benefits of reducing vehicle damage, medical expenses and insurance costs far outweigh the initial investment in building these structures. Additionally, federal matching funds are available for wildlife infrastructure projects, meaning that state-level investment could be leveraged to bring in additional funding resources. At a time when federal budgets are being drastically cut in search of savings, wildlife crossings make financial sense.
Passing a bill to establish dedicated funding for wildlife crossings is not just a win for hunters — it is a win for all Nevadans. By taking proactive measures, we can reduce collisions, protect motorists and ensure that our state’s treasured wildlife continues to thrive. Conservation is a responsibility we all share, whether you live in Las Vegas or Elko. Let’s not wait for more tragic accidents or further declines in our deer and other wildlife populations before taking action.
Kevin Cabble is a lifelong outdoorsman and board member for the Nevada Wildlife Federation.
Mojave (Nev.) head football coach Wes Pacheco announced on Sunday morning that he’s stepping down from his position, according to a social media post.
Pacheco announced his resignation after six seasons at the helm of the Rattlers, putting together a 29-22 overall record from 2020-2025.
“I have officially stepped down as Head Coach of the Mojave Football Program,” Pacheco said in his social media post. “Thank you to Principal Cole for giving me the opoortunity make an impact on the lives of Mojave Student-Athletes. I am grateful and blessed to have labored through a 6-year journey of successes, failures, life lessons, character building and growth with the student-athletes myself and my coaching staff have served. I will forever love my Mojave Family, the Mojave Community and believe in the notion that SUCCESS can be attained by showcasing character, treating everyone with respect, and always have the courage to dream big and trust that “ATTACKING THE HARD WORK” & “HIGH MOTORING EVERYTHING” can yield SUCCESS that you want to achieve in life!”
During Pacheco’s half dozen seasons leading Mojave, his best record came in the 2024 season when the Rattlers finished with a 12-1 record. Located out of North Las Vegas, Mojave had to compete against the likes of national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman during the regular season.
Mojave ended the last season with a 4-6 record and as the state’s No. 23rd ranked team, according to the final 2025 Nevada High School Football Massey Rankings.
Mojave High School, located in North Las Vegas, NV, is a dynamic public high school that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and community involvement. Home of the Rattlers, MHS offers a wide range of academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities. With a strong commitment to student success, Mojave emphasizes leadership, college and career readiness, and a supportive school culture that prepares students for life beyond graduation.
For Nevada high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Silver State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Nevada.
A recent Review-Journal letter to the editor mischaracterized Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill. As the former executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, I wholeheartedly support this legislation, so I wanted to set the record straight.
Sen. Cortez Masto has been working on this bill for years in partnership with state and local governments, conservation groups like the NCL and local area tribes. It’s true that the Clark County lands bill would open 25,000 acres to help Las Vegas grow responsibly, while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. It would also help create more affordable housing throughout the valley while ensuring our treasured public spaces can be preserved for generations to come.
What is not correct is that the money from these land sales would go to the federal government’s coffers. In fact, the opposite is true.
The 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act is a landmark bill that identified specific public land for future sale and created a special account ensuring all land sale revenues would come back to Nevada. In accordance with that law 5 percent of revenue from land transfers goes to the state of Nevada for general education purposes, 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for needed water infrastructure and 85 percent supports conservation and environmental mitigation projects in Southern Nevada. This legislation has provided billions to Clark County and will continue to benefit generations of Southern Nevadans. Sen. Cortez Masto’s lands bill builds upon the act’s success.
So here’s the good news: All of the money generated from land made available for sale under Sen. Cortez Masto’s bill would be sent to the special account created by the 1998 law. Rather than going to an unaccountable federal government, the proceeds would continue to help kids in Vegas get a better education, bolster outdoor recreation and modernize Southern Nevada’s infrastructure.
I know how important it is that money generated from the sale of public land in Nevada stay in the hands of Nevadans, and so does the senator. That’s why she opposed a Republican effort last year to sell off 200,000 acres of land in Clark County and other areas of the country that would have sent those dollars directly to Washington.
Public land management in Nevada should benefit Nevadans. We should protect sacred cultural sites and beloved recreation spaces, responsibly transfer land for affordable housing when needed and ensure our state has the resources it needs to grow sustainably. I will continue working with Sen. Cortez Masto to advocate for legislation, such as the Clark County lands bill, that puts the needs of Nevadans first.
Paul Selberg writes from Las Vegas.
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Las Vegas High’s baseball team claimed a 3-2 home win over Coronado on Friday.
Las Vegas (9-13-1) next hosts Rancho at 10 a.m. Saturday. Coronado (13-14) hosts Chaparral at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
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