Public Lands Institute

The name of UNLV’s Public Lands Institute (PLI) is now listed among the most successful conservation partnerships in the nation. The White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation, which was held in St. Louis, Missouri, August 29-31, 2005, highlighted the best examples of cooperative conservation throughout the United States.

“The Inclusive Approach to Stewardship” featuring the Southern Nevada Lands Partnership was honored as a model program for its multi-agency approach to the conservation and enjoyment of public lands in southern Nevada. The partnership includes the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, the Outside Las Vegas Foundation, and the Public Lands Institute.

PLI Executive Director Dr. Peg Rees and Director Nancy Flagg received the certificate on behalf of the Institute. “This honor recognizes the importance of conservation in southern Nevada and the organizations who are dedicated to it,” said Dr. Rees. “Even though we’ve only been in existence for a little more than a year, our partnership is strong and its impact upon cooperative conservation continues to grow.”

PLI Director Nancy Flagg at PLI booth

PLI also was invited to exhibit at the conference. Approximately 100 exhibitors from throughout the U.S. showcased products, services, and projects that positively impact environmental conservation.

This was the first time in 40 years – and only the fourth time in U.S. history – that the White House has hosted an environmental conference. The purpose was to promote and encourage cooperative conservation among federal agencies, states, local governments, tribes, and individuals. Conference speakers included Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, and Environmental Protection Agency Director Stephen L. Johnson.