Themes

Central Theme

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is an endangered species refuge with unusual Mojave Desert wetland habitats and the most unique assemblage of fish, wildlife and plants in the refuge system on which restoration of habitat is a vital conservation tool.

Support Themes

Nine support themes back up and clarify the central interpretive theme.

1. Water defines life in a desert. Each plant, animal, and fish is uniquely adapted to its water supply.
2. The last ice age was a defining era for the many unique plants, animals, and fish found here today. Global climate conditions continue to affect life here.

3. In the desert, water is the magnet that gathers people.

4. The fossil water surfacing at Ash Meadows is easily outstripped by pumps.
5. Species brought here by people are often aggressive competitors with native species.
6. Once privately owned, Ash Meadows benefited a limited few. Today, as public land it benefits us all.
7. Awe inspiring beauty abounds at Ash Meadows from its diverse landscapes to its myriad of tiny flowers; and, this beauty is often where you’d least expect it.
8. Conservation means we are good stewards of our own habitat, our home the planet.
9. Conservation means we protect both the process and the products of evolution.