Our Mission
Protecting, preserving, supporting and promoting responsible stewardship of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and Ice Age Fossils State Park.
Upcoming Events
TUSK TURNED 10!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, community partners and corporate sponsors below who helped make the 10-Year Anniversary Celebration of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument a success!
Our Story
Protectors of Tule Springs was informally founded in 2006 in an effort to preserve the last of the undeveloped portions of the Upper Las Vegas Wash basin in the northwest portion of the Las Vegas Valley.
In the early 2000s, those areas were proposed as a disposal area for the further development of the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, and unincorporated Clark County. During a meeting held to finalize the proposed disposal of these lands, a small group of citizens became aware of the unique paleontological and biological resources that would be forever lost to more roads, housing and commercial development should the proposed disposal boundary be approved.
This small group of North Las Vegas residents began an 8-year effort to forever protect what was nearly lost.
Protectors of Tule Springs became a formal non-profit corporation and recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2012.
Monumental Mammoth Sculpted from Recycled Desert Trash
Southern Nevada now has an iconic, life-sized Columbian Mammoth sculpture, inspired by the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument! The Monumental Mammoth is now permanently installed at Ice Age Fossils State Park, standing as a symbol of Nevada's Pleistocene past and enhancing the visitors' experience for years to come!
News About Protectors
Very Important Protector
At our general meetings held throughout the year, Protectors of Tule Springs honors one of our volunteers for their outstanding contributions. This individual is recognized as our Very Important Protector (VIP). Huge shout-out to our VIP for this past quarter, Rosella...
Protectors is Hiring! Deadline to Apply Extended to 9/30/25
Sound the trumpets! Protectors of Tule Springs is an all-volunteer organization, but through the help of a special grant we have one paid position of a Volunteer Coordinator and Visitor Services Support! We are seeking candidates for this important role. To view the...
Protectors, Community Partners Help Fund First Permanent Trail at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Construction began this month on the Tufa Trail, the first permanent, accessible recreational trail within Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK), thanks to a unique partnership among the City of North Las Vegas, D.R. Horton, and the Protectors of Tule...
Don Tuohy Hike
Join Protectors of Tule Springs for the Don Tuohy Hike at 8am on October 26, 2024. The hike length is 2.8 miles and takes approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours. This hike is of moderate difficulty, transversing rough desert terrain with some small hills. Participants will be...
Super Quarry Hike
Join Protectors of Tule Springs for the Super Quarry Hike at 8am on September 28, 2024. The hike is 2.5 miles and takes approximately 2½ to 3 hours. This hike is of moderate difficulty over rough desert terrain with some small hills. In 2011 the San Bernardino County...
Parks for Pollinators – BIOBLITZ
Come visit us Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Parks for Pollinators: BioBlitz 2024 event at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. Learn about our organization’s efforts to save the Las Vegas Bear Poppy Plant and the Mojave Poppy Bee by stopping by our table in the hay...
Partnerships and Support
Protectors’ public awareness campaign evolved into a partnership with a diverse group of organizations and a broad base of public support. Managed by the National Park Service, the effort to make this area a national monument attracted the unanimous support of local elected officials, the United States Air Force, the Las Vegas Paiute tribe, tourism industry leaders, educators, scientists, conservation organizations and community groups. In addition, thousands of citizens registered their support.
Four local government entities – the Clark County Commission, the Las Vegas Mayor and Council, the North Las Vegas Mayor and Council, and the Tribal Council of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe – voted on and unanimously passed a resolution in November 2009 asking Congress to make Tule Springs a part of the National Park System.