1. Springsnail Conservation in Nevada and the Great Basin
Jon Sjöberg
Nevada Department of Wildlife
Nevada Association of Conservation Districts
November 7, 2017

2. What are springsnails?
Tiny freshwater snails that occur in spring and spring brook outflow habitats
Adult springsnails are typically 8mm or less in length
Highly endemic (unique to specific locations)
At least 83 species in 6 genera known from Nevada
A species may occur in a single, or multiple springs
Multiple species can occur in a single spring and partition based on unique habitats

3. Springsnails occur throughout
Nevada and the Great Basin

4. Springsnails can occur in many different spring types
Limnocrene
Rheocrene
Dependent on constant, consistent spring flows and water chemistry that are stable over time
Hillslope

5. Why do we care?
Springsnails reflect the unique hydrographic history of the Great Basin and surrounding areas
They are a primary indicator of water quality and abundance on the landscape
Springsnail presence shows that groundwater aquifers are in good condition and being maintained
Indicators of good ecological health that maintains conditions for wildlife and economic uses
The failure to maintain these springs and springsnails provides a target for outside efforts to list species and restricts options to manage and maintain our landscapes

6. Threats to springsnails and habitats
Loss of groundwater flows and maintenance of spring discharge
Poor management of spring habitats
Diversions, capping spring systems and alteration of spring brook habitats
Invasive species
Climate change

7. Conservation needs
The key to springsnail conservation is conservation of the spring and spring brook habitats that they depend on
Maintaining spring discharge at the source
Good water quality
Seasonally stable flows

8. Protecting spring channels and outflows that provide springsnail habitats along their length
Big Spring, Lockes Ranch, Railroad Valley

9. Avoid unnecessary disturbance to emergent (in water) and riparian cover that provides springsnail habitat
Maintain substrate types that springsnails need for reproduction and survival

10. A conservation approach
Conservation of springsnails is the conservation of the springs they’re dependent on
We can’t target conservation of all of these species (100+ in Nevada and Utah) individually
The key is having good strategies and methods to protect and maintain spring and spring brook habitats across the landscape
Coordinated efforts consistently applied (BMPs)
Properly functioning springs provide important ecological and economic benefits
Focus on the unique needs of different spring types
Science based
Strategies to engage both public lands and private landowners

11. A conservation approach
Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Springsnails in Nevada and Utah
Over 100 species of springsnails in NV and UT
The Agreement is a commitment for conservation of these species and habitats by multiple agencies and organizations
NDOW, Utah DWR
US FWS, BLM, US Forest Service, NPS, NRCS
The Nature Conservancy
Next step is development of the Conservation Strategy

12. A conservation approach
The Conservation Strategy will include:
Conceptual conservation approaches to restore and maintain the function of springs and springsnail habitat needs
Development of a regional database on springsnail information and to track conservation progress
Outreach to engage private landowners and inform partners on conservation methods and approaches

13. A conservation approach
But – right now the strategy is focused on public land springs and spring habitats:
A significant number of springs, and springsnail species, occur on private lands
How can we engage private landowners and insure that they have input into conservation strategies and a role and ownership in conservation of these species?

14. The role of NVACD and private landowners
A high percentage of known springsnail populations occur on private lands
Conservation of springs and spring outflow habitats on private lands is absolutely essential to:
Insure the maintenance of properly functioning spring habitats across the landscape
Maintain unique populations of springsnails and other spring-dependent wildlife species
Avoid ESA listing of springsnails and prevent future listing actions

15. The role of NVACD and private landowners
Conservation Districts have a unique role in facilitating conservation at the local level
Help us identify opportunities for voluntary, incentive based actions that will conserve and protect springs and spring-based resources and habitats
CDs are a critical link in connecting private landowners to resources and opportunities for spring conservation
Help us identify and facilitate strategies for conservation at the local level
Coordinated efforts through NRCS, NDOW and other partners?
Workshops?
Individual and programmatic conservation agreements with private landowners?
Other types of conservation agreements and projects to enhance and protect spring resources?

16. Positive outcomes
The goal of these conservation efforts is to insure the maintenance of these unique species and habitats in perpetuity and to:
Keep high-quality water resources available on the landscape for wildlife and economic benefits (grazing and agriculture)
Respect the unique needs and role of private landowners and water rights holders
Minimize future regulatory constraints by preventing future ESA listing actions

17. Positive outcomes Conserving springs and springsnails means:
Healthy ecosystems that maintain thriving populations of wildlife of all types
Maintaining water on the landscape that’s critical to economic benefits for Nevada communities
Insuring local input and control over these critical resources into the future
Preserving these unique elements of Nevada’s natural heritage for future generations

18. Questions?