LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced weekend hours at both the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.  The staffed visitor areas at the two wildlife refuges will open for the public this coming Labor Day weekend.  The visitor areas are typically open on weekends from Labor Day through Memorial Day.  

Beginning September 3, 2010, the visitor station at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, the station will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Mondays of holiday weekends.  The wildlife refuge itself is open year round.  Early mornings offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.  

The visitor station is located at Corn Creek, which is the main entrance to the wildlife refuge.  The Service operates the station with staff provided under an agreement with the Southern Nevada Conservancy.  The station offers a selection of books and gifts for sale, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and pick up literature.  

The Desert National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 1.5 million acres of the Mojave Desert in southern Nevada 25 miles north of Las Vegas, and is the largest national wildlife refuge in the continental United States.  The wildlife refuge was established May 20, 1936, for the conservation and development of wildlife resources, including the desert bighorn sheep.  For more information about the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, visit us on the Internet at www.fws.gov/desertcomplex/desertrange  or contact Amy Sprunger, Refuge Manager, via email at amy_sprunger@fws.gov or by phone at (702) 879-6110.

Beginning September 4, 2010, the visitor area at the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The visitor area includes two walking trails and a stream profile chamber featuring a water-level view of the endangered Moapa dace (small fish).  

Additionally, an interpretive nature walk is scheduled at Moapa Valley on September 11th from 10 a.m. - Noon.  This is the first of several weekend programs planned this fall at the wildlife refuge.  

The Moapa Valley visitor area is staffed by citizen volunteers, and can only be open if the Service enlists enough volunteers.  Persons interested in volunteering are asked to contact Harry Konwin, Volunteer Coordinator, at (702) 515-5494 or harry_konwin@fws.gov.   With the exception of weekends between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the Moapa Valley site is closed throughout the year.  

Located about 60 miles northeast of Las Vegas, the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1979 to secure habitat for and protect the endangered Moapa dace.  In addition to spring and channel restoration efforts, re-vegetation with native plants, removing non-native species, and enhancing stream flows have benefited the Moapa dace and the White River springfish, as well as other endemic (native) species at the wildlife refuge.  For more information about the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge, visit us on the Internet at www.fws.gov/desertcomplex/moapavalley or contact Amy LaVoie, Refuge Manager, via email at amy_lavoie@fws.gov or by phone at (702) 515-5225.  

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service.  For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.