Great Basin Plant Materials Center in Fallon, Nevada Closer to Reality

A proposed Great Basin Plant Materials Center (PMC), to be located at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Newlands Field Laboratory, is one step closer to reality. A lease agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University’s Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station and NRCS that will operate the center, were signed in December.  The agreements define the terms of the lease and operational details between the University and NRCS. 

“This agreement is very good news,” said Senator Harry Reid.  “It will allow us to move forward on projects that will protect the fragile and beautiful environment in the Great Basin and across Northern Nevada.”  Having a PMC located in Nevada will accelerate the re-vegetation, restoration, and environmental enhancement efforts taking place in the Great Basin.  “We are pleased to be working with the University and other partners to build this plant materials center,” said Richard Vigil, Nevada NRCS State Conservationist.  “This center will focus on keeping the Great Basin ecosystem healthy.” Plant materials generated by the center will be used for purposes such as restoring lands after fires and preventing the spread of invasive weeds. 

The Great Basin Plant Materials Center is the first plant materials center to be opened by the NRCS in 17 years.  Although the lease and MOU have been signed, the Plant Materials Center is in the planning stages.
Your contact is  Liz Warner, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 775-857-8500 ext. 105.