|
|
Contents Mistreated: South McCullough Wilderness Welcome 2012 SCA-volunteer crew Soldier Meadows cabin makeover Calling volunteers in the Reno area Upcoming volunteer projects and events Your online donation is secure and helps protect wild lands all across Nevada. |
February 14, 2012 Happy Valentine's Day!
We love our volunteers and members, and we want to say thanks for all you do to help keep Nevada Wild. As 2012 gets underway there will be many ways for you to show your love for Nevada's wildlands. In this newsletter you'll find a list of some of the work trips we have scheduled along with a couple stories about how you can and have made a difference. Hope to see you out in wilds,
Mistreated: South McCullough Wilderness
The South McCullough Wilderness is located approximately 35 miles south of Las Vegas. It is close enough for a day trip but far enough from the city to afford a wonderful wilderness experience.... Well, that was the way it used to be. Unfortunately, unlawful OHV use is damaging the west and south sides of the wilderness. It doesn't take long to notice OHV tracks inside the wilderness going up every wash and over many hillsides.
Longtime members are reporting that restoration projects that were completed in the 1990's are under assault and are being destroyed. Trash and debris from careless individuals litter the hillsides and access roads; the old corral at McClannan Spring is being shot to pieces by folks seeking thrills. The Southern Nevada Office of the BLM, to their credit, have sent crews out to sign the area and have done some restoration work, but the signs are being ignored and the hard work of the crews is being destroyed. As one who loves wilderness, this breaks my heart, but it also serves as a call to action: We all must get involved. The time has come for us to protect the wilderness that folks worked so hard to preserve.
We will be working with the BLM to schedule volunteer trips. If you love southern Nevada wilderness please give us a call, because we are looking for some wilderness folks who are willing to roll up their sleeves and give us a hand in the South McCullough. As Ed Abbey said: "Wilderness needs no defense only more defenders".
Welcome 2012 SCA-volunteer crew
Last year, Student Conservation Association volunteers inventoried and monitored all 18 wilderness areas in southern Nevada. This year we welcome back Jesy Simons, and three new student volunteers, Allison Jacobson, Darren Threatt and Danny Shosky, as they work with Friends of Nevada Wilderness to protect and restore these same wilderness areas. On Valentine's Day they kick off work projects in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. They will be removing broken pieces of guzzlers, replacing wildife cameras, installing post-and-cable fence to keep back vehicles, planting native species vegetation and doing general clean-up.
Soldier Meadows cabin makeover
Visitors to the Black Rock Desert rejoice: the public-use cabin at Soldier Meadows has been fixed up and is ready for visitors! In partnership with the Winnemucca BLM, Friends of Nevada Wilderness led three volunteer trips to restore the cabin. Volunteers put in two new windows, fully enclosed the storage area, and laid a gravel floor. They also installed a wood stove to keep guests toasty on cold nights. "Its a great place, and now people can enjoy it," Project Leader, Pat Bruce, said. "Its open to everyone - hunters, hikers, artists - so everyone can enjoy the Soldier Meadows area of the NCA."
A special thanks to the local contractors — Ron LaBella, Mike Ford, Chris Brown, Emmitt Rosaschi, and Phil Akins — who donated their labor and skill to assist with the much-needed structural repairs and improvements. Volunteers covered up obscene graffiti that had taken over the visitor sign-in wall and provided a log book for future guests' use.
The cabin is first-come public use and open year-round. Bring your own firewood (less than 24 inches long and no more than four inches across). "There are not a lot of historic places left in the world that are free to stay," Pat said. "Leave this place better than you found it - pack out garbage to avoid rodents and leave fire wood for the next visitors so we can continue using this place." Calling volunteers in the Reno area Interested in giving a little time to help wilderness in Nevada? We at Friends of Nevada Wilderness could use some help converting old "Wild Nevada" calendars into greeting cards. Have fun and gain a new skill while creating beautiful greeting cards and matching envelopes from old calendars. If you can help, please email Darcy so we can organize a repurposing party. Thanks!
You are invited to participate in these wilderness volunteer projects Upcoming volunteer projects and events Friends of Nevada Wilderness offers up lots of fun opportunities to help your Nevada wildlands heal and prosper.
Tuesday, February 28 — Friday, March 2 Enclosure Ridge fence-removal project
Stewardship — Help the Fish and Wildlife Service remove parts of a fence formerly used in a study of bighorn sheep in the wild. Contact Jose at (702) 203-1720 or send Jose an email for all the details.
Saturday, March 10 Native planting to protect wildlife habitat
Stewardship — Help the Fish and Wildlife Service plant willows to improve the wildlife habitat at Corn Creek in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. First-time wilderness volunteers are welcome. Contact Jose at (702) 203-1720 or send Jose an email for details.
Friday, March 30 — Sunday, April 1 NCA spring kickoff project in Soldier Meadows
Stewardship — Details of this trip have yet to be finalized. Call Pat Bruce (775) 815-5598 or email Pat for more information closer to the project date.
Saturday, March 31 From road to wild: Lovell Canyon road restoration project #1
Stewardship — For the Forest Service in the Mt Charleston Wilderness, we will restore a decommissioned road so it blends into the natural environment. Beginners are welcome. Call (702) 839-5569 for the details.
Thursday, April 5 From road to wild: Lovell Canyon road restoration project #2
Stewardship — For the Forest Service in the Mt Charleston Wilderness, we will restore a decommissioned road so it blends into the natural environment. Beginners are welcome. Call (702) 839-5569 for the details.
Friday, April 13 — Sunday, April 15 Native plant cutting to aid damaged land #1
Stewardship — Help restore fire-damaged areas that are crucial for mule deer and sage grouse. Your work will help revive this land and help assure that it will thrive for future generations. Friends will provide a light breakfast and dinner for all volunteers. Contact Brenna Archibald (775) 623-5656 or email Brenna; or contact Wes Hoskins (775) 762-6730 or email Wes for more info.
Saturday, April 21 — Sunday, April 22 Celebrate Earth Day in the Wild
Stewardship — For the Forest Service in the Mt Charleston Wilderness, we will do a variety of tasks to naturalize a decommissioned road. Beginners are welcome. We will have a BBQ Saturday and will camp in the area. Call (702) 839-5569 for details.
Friday, April 27 — Sunday, April 29 Native plant cutting to aid damaged land #2
Stewardship — Help restore fire-damaged areas that are crucial for mule deer and sage grouse. Your work will help revive this land and help assure that it will thrive for future generations. Friends will provide a light breakfast and dinner for all volunteers. Contact Brenna Archibald (775) 623-5656 or email Brenna; or contact Wes Hoskins (775) 762-6730 or email Wes for more info.
Contact Friends at (775) 324-7667 or by email for more information or to RSVP for a project. More projects will be announced as they are scheduled. See later emails and the stewardship events page. | |||||
|
|
||||||
