Starting this month, the Amargosa Conservancy has scheduled a series of trips along the Amargosa River Valley, part of the Amargosa Canyon, Tecopa Basin and Shoshone as a way to raise conservation awareness through education and through donations, raise money to supplement grant funding.

The first outing is scheduled for Sept. 22 with a tour of China Ranch during the harvest season. Participants will meet at the China Ranch Gift Shop at 9:30 a.m., and go through a day with Brian Brown, owner of China Ranch and president of the Conservancy, learning the techniques of date farm management.

China Ranch Date Farm, located in Tecopa, Calif., is only one of the unique agricultural microclimates in the Amargosa Canyon and Amargosa River Valley. The turn off leading to the date farm from the Old Spanish Trail Highway gives no indication of change as the road disappears over the edge of a barren plateau and descends into a steep ravine; giving way first to a little green, and then more as sharp downward turns bring the lushness of China Ranch and the west end of the Amargosa Canyon into view.

Touring the farm with Brown and sampling the dates isn't the only agenda. Participants will have an easy hike out the back door of the farm and take a visual inventory of what the Amargosa Conservancy is trying to save.

Existence of the Amargosa Canyon and the Amargosa River is credited to extensive glacial water run off at the end of the last ice age. Those waters left behind fossils of ancient plants and animals along with some remnant examples still living today. Brown said, "In the Conservancy area, we have endemic species of plants like the niterwort and fish -- the pupfish -- that need preserving. They date back 2 million years, and have an adapted form of their original gene pool that has allowed them to live in (present day) saline conditions. We need to keep their secrets alive in order to understand how a species can change its own genetic map in order to survive."

This entire area gets its water from the same resource - the underground tributaries left at the end of the ice age. Water is the key to survival for these and other endangered species. Brown, being active in not only as a guide for the hikes and tours of the Amargosa Conservancy but as the resource advocate as well, stated the reason for such major concern is the pumping of underground water. "We have to realize that we live with limited resources," He said. "These outings are an attempt to raise awareness of a fragile eco-system. We want to show the public first hand that what's here is worth saving."

Since the inception as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization a little over a year ago, the Conservancy has purchased 40 acres of marshland in Tecopa and 160 acres at Willow Creek; which is the key watershed for the Amargosa River. The purchases were made from private foundation grant money set aside to fund worthwhile conservation efforts across the U.S.

The Conservancy plans to establish overlooks, walking trails or 4-WD roads to allow public access to these endangered lands. "We have no intention of blocking off the already existing roads. We want the public to come so they can learn." Brown said. "Part of the plan includes interpretive signage to help with that." The conservation areas will be open for day use only.

When asked about the benefits of joining the Amargosa Conservancy as a member, Brown laughed and said, "We hope it gives them a warm fuzzy feeling to be doing something worthwhile. We have about 60 or 70 members now. (Current memberships include) business and mine owners, a realtor, an attorney, a lot of outdoorsy types - anyone with a conservation ethic is welcome." Memberships run from $35 up to $500 and are tax deductible. The quarterly newsletter will keep members informed of current events and critical habitat purchases, conservation goals, and notify them of upcoming events. There is a clean up day and a membership gathering and potluck dinner date yet to be decided.

Other outings of varying length are scheduled one a month from September through November. After a winter break, tours will continue in February 2008. Some events are half-day easy walking, and some are full-day and include the use of a vehicle. Since the excursions encompass BLM lands, the Conservancy cannot charge a fee. They can only ask for donations. "The important part of these outings is education and awareness of what we stand to lose." Brown stated. "But everything to help keep us going is appreciated."

For more information on outing destinations, lengths, times and gathering spots, call 760-852-4339.