Nevada State Director Statement: The Nature Conservancy opposes proposed exploration for lithium near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Mauricia Baca, Nevada State Director of The Nature Conservancy: “The Nature Conservancy is a science-based, solutions-oriented partner to private landowners, communities, businesses, and governments seeking to address the global biodiversity and climate crises. Through our decades of work in conservation, The Nature Conservancy has established a proven track record of demonstrating that economic development need not come at the expense of protecting nature.

“Indeed, across the southwestern deserts, we have partnered with the mining industry and the energy sector to advance conservation and clean energy goals. Key to realizing such win-wins, however, is making sure that development occurs in the right places where impacts to biodiversity can be avoided, minimized or mitigated.

“Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge stands out as one of the most pronounced biodiversity hotspots in the continental United States. Fifty years ago, our organization played a key role in protecting this site, and we remain deeply invested in ensuring its long-term protection.

“As such, we strongly oppose the proposed minerals exploration drilling on Bureau of Land Management lands in immediate proximity to the ecological treasure that is Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This drilling–and the development that could follow from it–threatens the continued existence of numerous unique species that rely on this irreplaceable site.  

“We recognize the essential role lithium plays in urgently transitioning to a clean economy and avoiding the worst impacts of the climate crisis on people and nature. We have identified approaches to meet future lithium needs while minimizing impacts on biodiversity. Nevada has the potential to provide much of the lithium needed to meet clean energy goals, but it should not be done by sacrificing the natural wonders that make Nevada so special.”