Basin and Range National Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basin and Range National Monument |
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 Basin and Range National Monument
Location in Nevada
Basin and Range National Monument
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lincoln and Nye counties, Nevada, United States |
| Nearest city | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Area | 704,000 acres (285,000 ha) |
| Established | July 10, 2015 |
| Governing body | U.S. Bureau of Land Management |
| Website | Basin and Range National Monument |
Basin and Range National Monument is a special protected area in the United States. It covers about 704,000 acres (which is over 1,000 square miles!) of mountains and valleys. You can find it in Lincoln and Nye counties in southeastern Nevada. People often say it's one of the quietest and most untouched places in Nevada.
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How the Monument Was Created
This national monument was officially created on July 10, 2015. It happened when President Barack Obama signed a special order, using a law called the Antiquities Act. On the same day, he also protected two other important places in California and Texas. Basin and Range was the second national monument created in Nevada in less than a year.
Many people worked hard to protect this area. Senator Harry Reid and Representative Dina Titus, both from Nevada, were big supporters. They wanted to make sure this unique land was safe from certain developments. Large companies and local business groups also supported the idea. However, some local people were not happy about the decision. They felt they didn't have enough say in the process.
The creation of the monument was praised by many, including Senator Reid and the Sierra Club, an environmental group. They said the area was "one of the best examples of the spectacular basins framed by Nevada’s breathtaking mountain ranges." They also highlighted that it's a place with important Native American history and is home to special plants and animals. On the other hand, some politicians from Nevada disagreed with the decision.
Protecting the Basin and Range area also helped stop plans for a large railroad project. This project would have run through the monument's land. So, the monument's creation helped keep the area wild and undeveloped.
What Makes Basin and Range Special
The Basin and Range National Monument is important for many reasons. It has unique geological features, interesting plants and animals, and a rich cultural history. It's also a place where scientists can study ancient life, earthquakes, and past climates. The area sits between two major desert regions: the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin.
Cool Places to See
Inside the monument, you'll find many amazing spots:
- Valleys: Like Garden Valley and Coal Valley.
- Mountains: Including the Worthington Mountains, Golden Gate Range, Seaman Range, and Mount Irish Range.
- Narrows: Such as the Hiko Narrows and White River Narrows.
- Ancient Art: The Shooting Gallery site has rock art that is about 4,000 years old! These drawings were made by early Native Americans.
Most of the land in the monument is owned by the federal government. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There are also some privately owned lands within the monument's borders. One of these areas holds a massive earth art piece called City by artist Michael Heizer. This artwork is huge, similar in size to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Activities and Wildlife
Even though it's a protected area, people can still enjoy many activities here. You can go hunting and fishing, just like before the monument was created. Ranchers can also continue to let their animals graze in certain areas. The U.S. military also uses parts of the monument for training and emergency response.
The monument is home to many interesting animals. You might spot desert bighorn sheep or golden eagles flying overhead. There are also many kinds of bats, lizards, and snakes living in this unique desert environment.
