Desert Fishes Council Meeting Working Field Trip Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge November 22, 2009

Activity: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Trapping; Pre-registration is requested

Project Background:

Since Refuge establishment in 1984, AIS control and eradication has been a primary goal to support recovery of four federally-listed aquatic species managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) within Refuge boundaries: three endangered fishes and one threatened true bug. The amount of effort expended in any given year depends largely upon funding, personnel availability, and project priorities. AIS control and eradication efforts are dependent on the individual system and target species.

For the DFC field trip, groups will trap AIS from the Jackrabbit Spring system to remove known AIS, detect new AIS introductions, and boost native fish populations. A number of AIS may be encountered including: red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna, and bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeiana. Additionally, Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish, Cyprinodon nevadensis mionectes, and Ash Meadows speckled dace, Rhinichthys osculus nevadensis, may be captured, offering a unique opportunity to handle these endangered fishes. This AIS trapping event will be the first of many in an attempt to boost the Ash Meadows speckled dace population so that individuals may be translocated in Spring 2010 from the Jackrabbit Spring system to the restored Fairbanks Spring system.

Groups consisting of FWS personnel and 5 volunteers each will pull previously set traps throughout the Jackrabbit Spring system. All AIS and native species will be enumerated and AIS will be removed. Following completion of AIS trapping and decontamination of gear, individuals may choose to attend a guided field trip to other sites or disperse on their own (NOTE: vehicle access to some restoration sites is available only with Refuge staff). Alternatively, individuals interested in only the field trip portion should indicate that preference by pre-registering.

Personal Equipment Required:  Decontaminated* hiking shoes or rubber boots (some standing water may be present).  All field equipment needed to conduct the activity will be provided by the Refuge and will be site-specific.

*Decontaminated boot treads are free of debris and foreign material and have not been used at another location within 3 days of the Activity at Ash Meadows NWR. Recommended Personal Clothing and Supplies:  Water and food.  Sunscreen and sunglasses.  Long-sleeve shirt and pants.

Activity Schedule: 8 AM: Group supervisors will set traps at selected locations. 9 AM: Briefing and decontamination of all volunteers at Ash Meadows NWR Headquarters. 10 AM: Each group will pull traps at their location and process captured organisms. 11-Noon: Decontamination of equipment and Lunch (Bring your own). 12-3 PM: Tours of the Refuge.

Pre-Registration: To pre-register, e-mail Darrick with your level of interest in participating (possible or definite) and the number in your party (if family members will be joining you).

Questions and Pre-Registration should be directed to: Darrick Weissenfluh SCEP Biologist Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge 775-372-5435 [email protected]

Hotel Information: If you’re interested in staying closer to the Refuge on Saturday night, contact information for the nearest hotels is below:

Longstreet Inn and Casino (~10 minutes) Amargosa Valley, NV Phone: 775-372-1777 Website: http://www.longstreetcasino.com/

Amargosa Opera House and Hotel (~25 minutes) Death Valley Junction, CA Phone: 760-852-4441 Website: http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com/

Pahrump, NV (~45 minutes)  A number of options are available.