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 TURNS 10!
Please join Protectors of Tule Springs as we celebrate the 10-Year Anniversary of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument! Event will be held on December 19, 2024, 5;30-8:00pm, at the Los Prados Golf Club, 5150 Los Prados Circle, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The celebration includes a special guest speaker from the National Park Service, the unveiling of a limited-edition art series, the debut of a new musical about Nevada’s paleontological wonders and amazing silent auction items!
Space is limited – purchase tickets here. Please visit the Events Calendar for additional information.
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
Congratulations to Chris Niblock, our first Volunteer of the Quarter!
The members of Protectors of Tule Springs are an amazing group of people. That’s why we want to do more to recognize the great work our volunteers are doing every day, often with little notice or acclaim. As part of our new volunteer recognition program, Protectors...
Burning Announcement: Monumental Mammoth headed to Burning Man!
On Thursday, Mar. 21, Protectors of Tule Springs, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada and the City of North Las Vegas welcomed a group of elected officials, community leaders and volunteers to see firsthand the work in progress on the Monumental Mammoth sculpture. Local...
Next Membership Meeting May 21
Don't miss the next Protectors of Tule Springs membership meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION Aliante Library 2400 Deer Springs Way (cross street of Aliante Parkway) North Las Vegas 89084 The meeting will include an update from...
2019 Fossil Day Art Contest Calendars For Sale!
Support the Protectors while enjoying the amazing artwork of Clark County School District students all year long! Calendars are available for a donation of $10. They will be available for sale at the Membership Meeting on October 24 or donate $10 or more now through...
Next Membership Meeting October 24
Our next Protectors of Tule Springs membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. 6-7:30 p.m. Sun City Aliante Clubhouse 7390 Aliante Parkway North Las Vegas 89084 The meeting will include an update from National Park Service TUSK Superintendent...
Vote for Protectors and Help Build a New Park!
Last week, Governor Brian Sandoval led the groundbreaking for Ice Age Fossils State Park, a 300-acre state park unit surrounded by Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. This new state park is a major step forward for Protectors' dream of connecting Clark County...
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.