Get Outdoors Nevada Newsletter

View this email online at www.getoutdoorsnevada.org	Public Lands Institute

Thank you for your continued support of the Southern Nevada Interagency Volunteer Program.
The following newsletter contains information about upcoming events, current positions,
highlights of your volunteer community and interesting information on our desert ecosystem.

Stewardship Saturday
Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, must be at least 8 yrs. old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Ash Meadows
Agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Volunteer Work Type: Native Planting

The native planting is an important part of the restoration process as native plants compete against exotic species, stabilize disturbed soils, and provide habitat for wildlife. Native grasses and trees will be hand planted along a portion of a newly restored outflow channel. Individuals need to be in good physical condition as planting requires bending, kneeling, and getting dirty. Plan to be outside in warm, sunny conditions with no shade - a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Work gloves, water, snacks, and a good time will be provided!

Click here to register.

Make a Difference Day 2011 at Red Rock
Date: Saturday, October 22nd
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Audience: Groups and individuals (must be at least 7 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult).
Location: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Volunteer Work Type: Habitat restoration and weed removal

Contribute your time to give back to one of the most serene areas in Southern Nevada, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Come and take part in the beautiful fall weather and assist the BLM, Friend’s of Red Rock Canyon, Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, and Public Lands Institute in a number of restoration projects. The BLM is looking for volunteers to help with the following projects: pathway building, step building, weed and tree trimming, weed and brush removal, cactus planting, and seed ball making and throwing. Please join us in our celebration of Make a difference Day 2011. We will have fun and the environment will benefit from our efforts.

Click here to register.

Las Vegas Boat Harbor Eco-Dive and Beach Clean-up
Date: Saturday, October 29
Time: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, Families, children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Location: Lake Mead – Las Vegas Boat Harbor
Agency: National Park Service
Volunteer Work Type: Clean-up

Come join Las Vegas Boat Harbor and the National Park Service in cleaning up Lake Mead! Individuals, families and groups are welcome to participate in a beach cleanup near the Las Vegas Boat Harbor shoreline. Registration begins at 8 AM with the event beginning at 9 AM.

Divers must show proof of diver certification ("C" card) in order to participate in the Eco-Dive.

Las Vegas Boat Harbor will be providing lunch for all participants, so registration is a must. RSVP to Elizabeth at 702-293-8717, or via email at Elizabeth_Gann@nps.gov. Join us for some Halloween fun!

Red Rock Canyon Transit Feasibility Study
Date: Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th
Time: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Audience: Groups and individuals. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age in order to participate.
Location: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Volunteer Work Type: Transit Feasibility Study

As part of the Transit Feasibility Study for the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, the Bureau of Land Management is requesting the help of volunteers to collect vehicle data at six parking lots along the drive. The study dates are Friday, November 4 and Saturday November 5, 2011. The volunteers would work three or four hour shifts between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Click here to register.

Callville Bay Beach Clean-up
Date: Saturday, November 5
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, Families, children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Location: Lake Mead – Callville Bay
Agency: National Park Service
Volunteer Work Type: Clean-up

Come join Forever Resorts and the National Park Service in cleaning up Callville Bay! Individuals, families and groups are welcome to participate in a beach cleanup near Callville Bay Marina. Beach cleanup and registration begins at 8 AM with the event beginning at 9 AM.

Forever Resorts will be providing lunch for all participants, so registration is a must. RSVP to Elizabeth at 702-293-8717, or via email at Elizabeth_Gann@nps.gov

Stewardship Saturday
Date: Saturday, November 12
Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, must be at least 12 yrs. old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Pahranagat
Agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Volunteer Work Type: Native Planting

The native planting is an important part of the restoration process as native plants compete against exotic species, stabilize disturbed soils, and provide habitat for wildlife. Come help refuge staff plant riparian vegetation in degraded and/or altered sites. With this planting event, the refuge hopes to create and restore riparian forest habitat for a variety of avian species. Enjoy planting seeds and small containers of grasses, shrubs and trees. There may be a few spots of mud. Individuals need to be in good physical condition as planting requires bending, kneeling, and getting dirty. Plan to be outside in warm, sunny conditions with no shade - a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Work gloves, water, snacks, and a good time will be provided!

Click here to register.

Stewardship Saturday – Seedball Scatter
Date: Saturday, November 12
Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, must be at least 12 yrs. old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Desert National Wildlife Refuge – Corn Creek
Agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Volunteer Work Type: Native Planting

The native planting is an important part of the restoration process as native plants compete against exotic species, stabilize disturbed soils, and provide habitat for wildlife. Come help refuge staff plant previously created seed balls. With this planting event, the refuge hopes to enhance existing habitat for a variety of avian species. Enjoy distributing and planting seeds of native grasses and shrubs. Plan to be outside in warm, sunny conditions with no shade - a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Work gloves, water, snacks, and a good time will be provided!

Click here to register.

Placer Cove Beach Clean-up
Date: Saturday, November 12
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, Families
Location: Lake Mead – Placer Cove
Agency: National Park Service
Volunteer Work Type: Clean-up

The National Park Service is hosting a cleanup project in Eldorado Canyon. Volunteers are asked to come out and help us remove litter along the shoreline and natural environment at Placer Cove. The National Park Service will provide tools, gloves and water. Please contact Chris Pietrafeso for more information at 702-293-8711 or Christopher_Pietrafeso@nps.gov.

National Family Day
Date: Saturday, November 19
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, Families
Location: Lake Mead – Boulder Beach
Agency: National Park Service Campground
Volunteer Work Type: Clean-up Come out and help beautify Boulder Beach Campground at Lake Mead! Volunteers will be working with maintenance staff to trim overgrown vegetation and rake debris that have accumulated over the summer season. Tools and gloves will be provided. For more information or to register for the event, please contact Chris Pietrafeso at 702-293-8711 or Christopher_Pietrafeso@nps.gov.

Gardening Gone Wild: Native Planting Event
Date: Saturday, November 19
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Audience: All ages; groups are welcome; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Volunteer Work Type: Planting

Join a team of volunteers to place native plants at a restoration site near the Apcar/Jones stream at Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Planting requires bending, kneeling, and getting a little dirty. Plan to be outside and wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and a light jacket or sweatshirt if weather requires. Work gloves, water and snacks will be provided, along with a chance to meet other volunteers who enjoy Nevada's outdoors.

Click here to register.

Stewardship Saturday
Date: Saturday, December 3
Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Audience: Adults, Seniors, Groups, must be at least 12 yrs. old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Ash Meadows
Agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Volunteer Work Type: Cattail Cutting

Removing cattails is an important part of the restoration process as they slow stream flow and promote the existence of exotic crayfish .These crayfish, among other exotic species, eat and compete with the endangered Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish. Overgrown cattails and reeds will be cut along an outflow stream channel. All participants should be comfortable swimming or wading in water up to four feet deep. Warning: you WILL get wet, but the water is warm! It is recommended to bring shoes and clothes that can get wet and dirty, as well as a change of clothes for afterwards. Water, snacks, gloves, tools, and a good time will be provided for everyone!

Click here to register.

interagency volunteers

Christene Balew (left) & Sheila Mason at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge visitor contact station

For over a decade, guests at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) have been greeted by two special long-time Visitor Service volunteers, Christene Balew and Sheila Mason. Both live in nearby Alamo and enthusiastically share their passion for the outdoors. Christene was born in Virginia, and after living in 6 other states, landed in the tiny hamlet of Alamo with her husband. Previously, she had an administration role in the pharmaceutical industry. Sheila was born in Somerset County, England. After living in Michigan for a time, she moved to Las Vegas in 1992. After arriving in Nevada, she worked in real estate and property management. These two good friends are now retired and share an ethic of community and church involvement. Both have long histories of volunteerism in the local community and at the refuge since 1999. Together they are involved with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). They lead the Senior Exercise Program at the Alamo Senior Center and help with other events like potlucks, bake sales, food drop, and involved with most things at the center. The ladies are avid hikers and amateur birders. Since their youth, they have been concerned with conservation and the great outdoors has been an enjoyable avocation. They take pleasure from the different seasonal colors at the refuge and are enchanted by the number of bird species that visit every year during migrations. Sheila and Christene provide valuable help to the refuge as they greet visitors, pick up litter, distribute brochures and clean the restrooms. They are eager to inform folks about the refuge. And with recent IVP sponsored naturalist training, they are able to fill in much more detail about the local wildlife. Christene and Sheila would love to share their knowledge of the flora and fauna at the refuge with you. You can catch them at Pahranagat NWR every other Saturday when they staff the visitor contact station from 10 – 2. If you would like to help staff the contact station on the other weekends or would like to help with habitat maintenance, trail building, educational programs or biological monitoring at Pahranagat, please contact the Desert NWR Complex Volunteer Program Coordinator at 515-5494.

interagency volunteers

Please note: Training sessions are open to those who have volunteered in the last year.

There are no volunteer trainings scheduled for October, but stay tuned for exciting training opportunities in the near future.

If you have specific training topics you feel would help you in your volunteer efforts, please contact us.

National Park Service

Trail Watch Volunteers: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Boulder City, NV)
Time Commitment & Duration: 9/12/2011—5/31/2012
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Operation Zero Volunteer Deckhand: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Boulder City, NV)
Time Commitment & Duration: 9/12/2011—5/26/2012
Click here for more information and to apply online.

On-Line Map Reviewer: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Boulder City, NV)
Time Commitment & Duration: 9/13/2011—9/13/2012
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Bureau of Land Management

Campground Host – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Time Commitment & Duration – ASAP, The campground is open year round with busy periods from February to May and mid September to November, fees are charged year round. A minimum commitment of Six months is expected.
Contact/Project Supervisor: Kathy August, Outdoor Recreation Planner 702-515-5138, James “Lee” Kirk, Outdoor Recreation Planner 702-515-5227.
Click here for more information

Landscaping Team -Red Rock Canyon NCA (Las Vegas, NV)
Time Commitment & Duration: 2 days (12 to 14 hours total) per month. This is an ongoing position.
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Natural Resource Team -Red Rock Canyon NCA (Las Vegas, NV)
Time Commitment & Duration: One or two days per month, generally weekends. This is an ongoing position.
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Trail Monitor -Red Rock Canyon NCA (Las Vegas, NV)
Time Commitment & Duration: 4 hours per month preferred. This is an ongoing position.
Click here for more information and to apply online.

USFWS

Volunteer Naturalist(s) (Birder): Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is seeking up to 4 volunteer naturalists
Time Commitment & Duration: Once a month on Saturday, 2-3 hrs; October – May
If you are interested in this position please contact the FWS volunteer coordinator, Harry Konwin (702)515-5494
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Resident Campground Host / Light Maintenance - Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
Time Commitment & Duration - 4/1/2011 – 4/1/2012; 3 month minimum; RV pad and hook-up available.
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Maintenance Assistant - Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Time Commitment & Duration: 5/9/2010 – 5/9/2013, Ongoing need, No housing available, 1 – 2 days per week, 2 month minimum commitment
Click here for more information and to apply online.

Get Outdoors Nevada Named to the 2011 Best of the City list by Vegas Seven

Congratulations to Get Outdoors Nevada! Vegas Seven in Las Vegas has proclaimed the volunteer recruitment program as the best unheralded green effort in Las Vegas. Our hats off to the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership, the Interagency Volunteer Program team, Public Lands Institute Project Manager Dan Chase, and the thousands of volunteers for a job well done.

09/10/11- Seed Collection- USFWS
14 volunteers collected 281.2 oz of seeds.

07/19/11- Outdoor Leadership Program- USFS
43 Students from Stupak, Veterans Memorial, and Doolittle Recreation centers removed 400 lbs of trash from Lee Meadows, Mt. Charleston

07/23/11- Desert Pass Road Restoration Plus
16 volunteers donated 120 hours to channel the Mormon Well road recreation travel to designated sites by removing two disbursed campsites and reclaiming 320 meters along the course of three illegal roads

07/30/11-Sweep the Peak-USFS
48 volunteers removed about 550 lbs of waste from the Mt. Charleston Ski Resort.




Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge USFWS Photo Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a unique, veritable oasis in the desert, attractive to wildlife and people. Fed by large thermal springs 25 miles north of the refuge, this lush valley of lakes and marshes surprises those who drive up Route 93 from Las Vegas. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approximately 5,380 acres of marshes, open water, grass meadows, riparian forests and desert uplands provide breeding habitat for approximately 90 bird species. Located along the Pacific Flyway, the refuge is an essential stopover for tens of thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors as they migrate south in the fall and back north in the early spring. In total, at least 260 bird species use the refuge. Pahranagat is also host to a diversity of plant life due to the abundance of water, and because it straddles both the Great Basin and Mojave deserts. Fields of moist meadow grass are home to many rodent species, while upland plants provide shelter and food for reptiles and other small mammals. These small animals provide food for raptors, kit fox, badger, coyotes and roadrunners. Mule deer are also commonly seen as they forage in desert washes. The large numbers of species that can be seen throughout the year draw wildlife observers and photographers from around the world. One of the best ways to view the wildlife is to hike the four mile trail that circles the Upper Lake. For visitors who just like to relax and soak in the natural surroundings, picnic areas and several public grills are available. Those interested in a longer stay can choose one of the unimproved campsites, all of which have great views of the lake. Boating, hunting and fishing are also popular activities at Pahranagat NWR. Call 775-725-3417 or check out the website, to learn more. Whichever way a visitor chooses to spend their time at Pahranagat NWR, this charming, surprising valley will entice them to return again and again.

Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service On the brink, the endangered Pahranagat roundtail chub, Gila robusta jordani, endemic to the White River of the Pahranagat Valley, has been getting extra assistance from a very good friend, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This chub is an omnivore, feeding mostly on aquatic insects, and occasionally other fishes. Pahranagat roundtail chub are a subspecies of the more common roundtail chub. Roundtail chub occur in cool to warm water over a wide range of elevations in rivers and streams throughout the Colorado River basin, often occupying open areas of the deepest pools and eddies of mid-sized to larger streams. Roundtail chub are currently considered a sport fish in AZ because they readily take artificial lures, fight hard, and taste good. Reports indicate that the Pahranagat chub was historically eaten by native peoples and others. Evidence shows this fish was once found from Wyoming to Arizona and likely into Mexico. The population of the Pahranagat roundtail chub has been significantly reduced in historic times through a combination of habitat loss and, competition and predation from non-native species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 recognized that endangered and threatened species “are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and specific value to the Nation and its people.” When the population of round tailed chub was close to extinction, biologists collected some from the wild in Pahranagat Valley and established a population at Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center (NFH) in Dexter, New Mexico. Chubs from Dexter NFH were successfully transferred to a refugium on Key Pitman State Wildlife Management Area, north of the refuge. As part of the fish’s original habitat, and a permanently protected area, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge was also a prime candidate location to introduce the chub back in the wild. Thus, refuge staff worked hard to create suitable sanctuary by completely restoring Cottonwood Spring. Over time, Cottonwood Spring had become choked with vegetation and silted in. Refuge staff cleared the overgrowth and dug out a nice irregular shaped ½ acre pond, mimicking the shape of the natural habitat. And, just this past summer, Pahranagat NWR staff was able to celebrate the first successful reintroduction of its namesake chub. Now, further study and ongoing monitoring can be conducted by biologists, particularly on feeding habits, growth and reproduction, and adaptation. If you are interested in helping one of Nevada's native fishes and would like to join a volunteer monitoring crew, please contact the Desert NWR Complex Volunteer Program Coordinator.

Thank you again for supporting our public lands.