Introducing... Ceratinella playa - New Spider Found on Texas Playa

Researchers recently discovered a new species of spider on a playa in Briscoe County, Texas. They weren’t even setting out to survey spiders in their study. This finding goes to show just how much biological diversity exists on playas, and how much probably remains undiscovered. (MORE)

Wet or Dry, Playas are Just Plain Productive

One might think that a dry playa doesn’t have much to offer for nature - or people, for that matter. It is a perfectly excusable assumption that a wetland is at its best when it is, well, wet. But the truth is that playas require periods of drying out to produce food for wildlife and recharge the Ogallala Aquifer. It is simply the nature of playas to go through these seasonal wet and dry cycles, and what makes them the most thriving ecological assets of the Southern High Plains and Western Great Plains. Here are some reasons why... (MORE)

Regional News and Resources:

Featured Project: Watershed Festivals for Playa Education

In the spring of 2007, the Ogallala Commons conducted two educational festivals focused on playa and watershed conservation in Sidney, Nebraska, and Friona, Texas. The festivals drew 250 fifth graders from five schools in the surrounding areas. They also held two teacher training workshops and a retreat for educators focused on expanding playa festivals - now in their 4th year - into year-long learning programs. Browse all projects.

Follow the Money: USFWS Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from states and U.S. territories to acquire land or conduct planning for endangered species conservation efforts. There is approximately $80 million available for 2008. Proposals must be submitted to the appropriate Service Regional Offices by August 24. Browse all funding opportunities.

Happenings around the PLJV: PLJV Education and Outreach Program Evaluation Workshop

The PLJV will host an Education and Outreach Program Evaluation Workshop Aug. 22 in Clovis, New Mexico. The workshop is for JV partners involved in designing and implementing education and outreach programs targeted to landowners, resource managers, educators and other stakeholders in bird conservation. Browse all upcoming events.

Playa Country Radio August Programming - Listen NOW

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