Mission

Provide the aerial perspective in collaboration with Friends of Avi Kwa Ame and Tribal leaders to aid in the BLM - Tribal inventory of roads and trails. And to look at the site for a proposed water diversion that would provide water resources for mining.

Avi Kwa Ame National Monument protects almost a half-million-acre section of southern Nevada that serves as a timeless sacred landscape and an ecological nexus between the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Designated in 2023, this diverse landscape includes basins rich with Joshua Trees and mountain ranges studded with Pinyon-Juniper woodlands.

Our flight began with a unique view of Boulder City’s solar power development and some views of the Sloan Canyon NCA. As we climbed a couple of thousand feet, we got an understanding of the diversity in vegetation as we neared the McCullough Wilderness with peaks rising to almost 7,000’. Immediately southeast, we flew over the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness- home to a rare old-growth stand of its namesake and critically important habitat for the Mojave Desert Tortoise and the gilded flicker. We also got a big picture view of the Walking Box Ranch- an important addition to the preservation of this historic landscape.

Further south, our attention focused on a prominent granite peak that could be seen rising above the desert floor. The monument’s namesake, Avi Kwa Ame (Spirit Mountain), commanded our attention as we skirted it to the north. This area is considered one of the most sacred places on Earth by the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and some Southern Paiute people. The spectacular ridges of granitic rock stood in stark contrast to the blue waters of Lake Mohave in the background.

As we progressed to the north, we got a good look at the Ireteba Peaks Wilderness and the small town of Nelson just outside the monument.

Photos from the flights.