Seminar: Water and Wildlife – Collaboratively Restoring Habitat

David Syzdek, an environmental biologist for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, will discuss wildlife and restoration activities at the Warm Springs Natural Area (WSNA). The Warm Springs Natural Area is a 1,218 acre nature preserve where five major springs come together to form the Muddy River near Moapa, Nevada. WSNA contains one of the rarest and most endangered ecosystems in the Mojave Desert: the desert riparian ecosystem.

This oasis in the desert is home to 29 sensitive species including four fish, 11 invertebrates, five birds, seven bats, one reptile, and one amphibian. Several of these species are endemic and are only found on WSNA. One of these, the Moapa dace, is a critically endangered fish species. Recovery and delisting of the Moapa dace is the focus of a collaborative effort between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nature Conservancy, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. David will discuss the history of WSNA, the wildlife and other resources, and efforts currently underway to improve habitat for the dace and other species. He will also discuss the future of the property and its management as a birding destination.

David Syzdek is a native Nevadan who attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and has a degree in Environmental Studies with minors in Biology and Geology. He has worked as a wildlife biologist for over 15 years and currently is employed by the Southern Nevada Water Authority at the Warm Springs Natural Area where he works to help recover the endangered Moapa dace. He also works with invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, and birds at the Natural Area. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, scuba diving, reading and spending time with his two children, Caroline, age 6 and Andrew, age 3.

Seminar Date/Time: Friday, March 12th, 1:00pm-2:00pm

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Moapa Dace Image © David Szydek