Southern Nevada now has an iconic, life-sized Columbian Mammoth sculpture, inspired by the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and the animals that once roamed the area. The sculpture symbolizes Nevada’s rich Pleistocene past while highlighting the importance of protecting and preserving the Tule Springs Fossil Beds, which is just minutes away from the Las Vegas Valley.

Seventeen-year old visionary, Tahoe Mack, conceived the Monumental Mammoth for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. To bring her vision to fruition, Tahoe partnered with two professional artists, Luis Varelo-Rico and Dana Albany, to design and build the sculpture, which is now permanently installed at Ice Age Fossils State Park. The project’s 501(c)(3) non-profit partner, Protectors of Tule Springs, collaborated with Tahoe to bring this monumental sculpture to life. Tahoe and Protectors invite the Las Vegas community to participate in supporting the maintenance and care of this public art project, which serves as a trailhead feature at Ice Age Fossils State Park enticing the public to enjoy and explore the Fossil Beds.

The designation of Tule Springs National Monument came about through the efforts of a broad coalition of community partners, who worked together over an 8-year period to save and protect these lands. Maintenance and care of the Monumental Mammoth will require a similar community effort through the Ice Age Fossils State Park Maintenance Fund.

Your participation through a monetary gift or in-kind donation of goods or services, will show your commitment to the community, belief in the importance of preserving the future by protecting the past, the benefits of public lands and outdoor experiences, and the benefits of working together to achieve monumental things.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TODAY!

Monetary donations may be made online here or by mailing a check to Protectors of Tule Springs at 517 S. 9th Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101.

To make an in-kind commitment or get more information please contact:

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is located within 30 minutes of the neon lights of Las Vegas, Nevada. As a new National Monument, the infrastructure will take time to develop, but there are lots of places you can explore on your own.

Protectors of Tule Springs has been leading interpretive hikes to areas both within the National Monument and State Park for several years. We now assist the National Park Service and Nevada State Parks as volunteers on scheduled hikes.

The first interpretive trail system is being developed near the urban core of North Las Vegas, which will provide an opportunity to Las Vegas residents and visitors to explore the State Park and the National Monument. These trails will introduce them to the unique geologic features, ecosystems, fossil deposits and the history of Tule Springs.

Both the National Monument and State Park are in early stages of development so there are no facilities and designated trails are limited but there is so much to explore. Visitors can access either park on foot to explore from dawn to dusk each day.

Within the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument unit there are three interpretive kiosks which provide information about some of the resources visitors may see while exploring and they also serve as approved access points to the National Monument. They are located near the intersections of N. Durango Dr. and Moccasin Rd., N. Aliante Pkwy. and Moonlight Falls Ave., and after exiting US 95 on Corn Creek Rd. Aside from the kiosks, there is an informational display at the Lost City Museum in Overton, Nevada. Currently within the National Monument there are some designated trails and parking areas but no facilities.

At Ice Age Fossils State Park, a new state-of-the-art visitor center facility includes an exhibit space featuring many of the fossils found throughout Tule Springs, a trail system introducing visitors to the Ice Age Fossil Beds and the permanent installation of the Monumental Mammoth sculpture. The park is on N. Decatur Blvd., across the street from Shadow Ridge High School. 

It’s important to remember that all park resources – fossils, plants, animals, artifacts, minerals and rocks – are to remain as you find them. Federal and State regulations prohibit off-roading in the park and only approved vehicles are permitted on designated roads. For more guidance on things to do and park regulations, please visit the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument or Ice Age Fossils State Park webpages.

Due to its proximity to the developed portion of Las Vegas, many areas in Tule Springs have been severely impacted by dumping, off-road vehicles and shooting activities. Protectors has hosted several cleanup events, but many more will be needed in the coming years. Protectors assists the National Park Service and Nevada State Parks with the recruitment and training of volunteers for these efforts, as well as assisting both organizations with the costs of these cleanup activities.

Protectors of Tule Springs fundraises for and provides direct financial assistance to the National Park Service where areas of critical need have been identified that cannot be met by current governmental funding levels. An annual plan is established each year which sets goals and identifies areas in which the Protectors of Tule Springs can provide funding, volunteers or other support on key projects.

Here are a few highlights of our contributions to date:

• Protectors raised $20,000 for NPS’ development and installation of informational kiosks that have been placed at the perimeter of the Monument boundaries where early visitors are most likely to access the land.
• Protectors has raised and committed to provide funds to NPS to update an educational display that may be installed on a traveling basis at governmental buildings in the Las Vegas Valley.
• Protectors has raised and committed to provide funds for an NPS sponsored three-part lecture series on the Pleistocene Era with paleontologists representing Tule Springs Fossil Beds, Waco Mammoth National Monument and La Brea Tar Pits.
• The Mammoth Penny Push campaign in the Clark County School District raised $36,000 to facilitate clean-up efforts on Monument land, develop classroom materials and provide for additional programs.
• Protectors provided over $17,000 in funding to bring the Geoscientist in the Park program to Tule Springs. This internship program gave NPS help in the documentation of paleo and archeo assets in the National Monument and developed new models of public outreach and educational programs.
• In 2021, we funded the first Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program, with Jake Johnson, a science teacher at Desert Pines High School. After a summer of hands-on learning with the Park Service and completing Masters credits with the University of Colorado, Jake developed Tule Springs-focused curricula aligned to CCSD Jr. High and Sr. High science standards, for use throughout the district. This program is slated to continue in 2022.
• Our volunteers helped in the creation of the first on-monument interpretive trail – which launches from the Aliante kiosk – and led the effort to enhance that trailhead through native plant repopulation and watering efforts to ensure their survival.
• We contributed the expertise and labor to build-out a solar-powered Mobile Exhibit Trailer, which will serve as a traveling visitor experience both on and off the Monument land.
• The organization supported NPS in the creation of the Tule Springs Mounted Horse Patrol and B.A.R.K. Ranger programs, recruiting participants and participating in special events like the Boulder City’s 4th of July and Holiday parades to highlight and promote these programs.
• Our Perimeter Patrol members are integral to minimizing the impact of encroaching development and increased area traffic. It serves as a reliable liaison between NPS and the neighboring cities to ensure timely reporting and remediation of illegal and damaging activities on and adjacent to park lands.
• Our On-Site Committee hosted 11 hikes, three clean-up events, and a major day of service where nearly 100 volunteers helped remove invasive plants species from Monument lands.

Following its dedication in October 2018, Protectors of Tule Springs has provided direct financial assistance and other support to the Ice Age Fossils State Park. The park opened in early 2024.

Here are a few highlights of our contributions to date:

• Protectors raised and donated $47,000 to Nevada State Parks toward the cost of the Monumental Mammoth Plaza, where our amazing mammoth sculpture welcomes visitors to Ice Age Fossils State Park.
• Protectors secured funding for the Ice Age Fossils State Park to support trail-building efforts which began in March 2019 and Protectors volunteers have participated in several trail-building events to establish the trail sites at the new State Park.
• Protectors purchased a shipping container for the park’s storage of supplies and equipment.
• Protectors has committed to additional support for printing of brochures, the installation of the Monumental Mammoth sculpture, interpretive signage, and volunteer program supplies.

Each year, Protectors partners with the Las Vegas Natural History Museum and Clark County School District to hold an annual art contest in celebration of National Fossil Day. In this program, students learn about the Pleistocene and submit artwork depicting the Ice Age mammals that once roamed Las Vegas. Winning students and their teachers receive money and other prizes for their efforts.