Connect with us

Nevada

Specially trained dogs make stunning discovery in US nature area: ‘Just exploded’

Published

on

Specially trained dogs make stunning discovery in US nature area: ‘Just exploded’

Scientists have made an exciting breakthrough for one of North America’s rarest mammals. 

After detection dogs located 85 scat samples in California’s Lassen region, researchers found promising evidence that the critically endangered Sierra Nevada red fox is still holding on. 

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, estimates suggest that only 18 to 39 foxes remain in the wild — so every confirmed detection is significant. 

Detection dogs have long been known for locating explosives and missing persons, but they are increasingly helping researchers pinpoint biological markers, such as scat and scent trails, that humans often can’t find. 

This humane approach allows scientists to map the presence of elusive species without disturbing them, giving endangered animals a better chance at recovery.

Advertisement

As Pete Coppolillo, the executive director for Working Dogs for Conservation, put it, “Our field in the last 15 years has just exploded.”

TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight

💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands

The red fox plays an important ecological role: as a predator of rodents and small mammals, it helps to regulate prey populations and support the health of surrounding plant communities. 

The Center for Biological Diversity has expressed concern about the fox’s vulnerability to inbreeding, hybridization, and other pressures associated with extremely small populations, as the loss of this species could trigger cascading ecosystem effects. 

Genetic testing of the scat is now underway at UC Davis. The testing could confirm new individual foxes and provide land managers with crucial insights into how to strengthen recovery plans.

Advertisement

Detection dogs also protect communities by identifying invasive species early, preventing economic and environmental damage. 

Working Dogs for Conservation has already trained teams to detect invasive species such as Scotch broom in New York, knapweed in Montana, salt cedar and perennial pepperweed in Wyoming, yellow thistle in Colorado, and even destructive quagga and zebra mussels on boats.

Overall, this particular breakthrough provides hope for future dog detection missions and gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “man’s best friend.”

Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.

Advertisement


Source link

Nevada

Nevada high school football head coach steps down

Published

on

Nevada high school football head coach steps down


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.

Advertisement

More about Mojave High School

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Nevada

IN RESPONSE: Cortez Masto lands bill would keep the proceeds in Nevada

Published

on

IN RESPONSE: Cortez Masto lands bill would keep the proceeds in 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.

Advertisement

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.



Source link

Continue Reading

Nevada

Las Vegas High beats Coronado in 5A baseball — PHOTOS

Published

on

Las Vegas High beats Coronado in 5A baseball — PHOTOS