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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.

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.

Following the unprecedented passage of the resolutions, county and city officials and staff members worked closely with an active coalition of National Monument supporters to define boundaries and evaluate acreage, with considerable foresight and enthusiasm to help map a park management plan that will well serve an urban population.

In December 2014, the efforts of Protectors of Tule Springs and our coalition partners culminated in the designation of the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, and nearly 23,000 acres of Nevada was forever preserved!

The creation of this National Monument demonstrated a model of cooperation between Clark County, the City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, the National Park Service, the State of Nevada, Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Air Force, Clark County Schools and other educational institutions, tourism-generating initiatives, and citizen groups.

Protectors has a strong member base and continues to welcome new members to help us with the important work of developing Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and Ice Age Fossils State Park for future generations.

Become a member today!

Protectors of Tule Springs served as the main driver of the broad public outreach efforts that were necessary while seeking the National Monument designation. These efforts continue in partnership with the National Park Service and Nevada State Parks, with a focus on educating and building public awareness of the Fossil Beds, the area resources, and the benefits of public lands more generally.