Contributions of UNLV and PLI Staff Recognized at the Great Basin CESU Annual Meeting

Congratulations to Glendee Ane Osborne and Dr. Scott Abella! Both were in the spotlight during the annual meeting of the Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), which was held December 8, 2008 in Reno.

Osborne, a graduate student in UNLV’s Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies, received the 2008 Great Basin CESU Outstanding Student Contribution Award. She was nominated by her mentor, Dr. Karen Harry, UNLV associate professor of Anthropology, for completing a predictive model for archaeological site distribution based on vegetation, elevation, soil types, and other environmental factors. The model for Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Parashant National Monument was part of a larger CESU project funded by the National Park Service and awarded to UNLV’s Public Lands Institute. In addition to being the sole author on the predictive model, Osborne also completed several reports and presentations resulting from the project. PLI Executive Director Dr. Peg Rees presented the award to Osborne on Dr. Harry’s behalf during the CESU meeting.

Abella, assistant research professor in Vegetation Ecology, was selected as one of two presenters for the CESU Showcase. Abella highlighted vegetation monitoring and analysis at Lake Mead and demonstrated how the CESU project yielded high value-added results from collaborative agreements between land managers and university scientists. In a two-year period, all deliverables were met, which included surveying 1,747 kilometers of travel corridors for invasive exotic plant species on federal land in Clark County, removing more than 600,000 individual exotic plants, and monitoring of more than 12 rare native species to assist the National Park Service in meeting the monitoring requirements under the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. In addition to the monitoring, Abella noted that 29 articles have been published from the research, with Lake Mead managers co-authoring half of six published articles from CESU-funded projects.

“I am proud of Glendee Ane’s and Scott’s accomplishments,” said Rees. “UNLV’s importance as a research institution was prominent since half of the formal presentations at the CESU annual meeting were conducted by individuals from UNLV and PLI.” 

PLI and Discover Mojave Project Manager featured on Inside Education TV Program

Thanks to the efforts of Discover Mojave Project Manager Daphne Sewing, the UNLV Public Lands Institute is a new partner with the Clark County School District's Physical Education Adventure Project. Sewing and the project are featured on Inside Education, a television program airing on Vegas PBS Channel 10. Click here to watch the program:

The show will air during the following times:

Channel 10

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 6:00 a.m.

Channel 111

Friday, December 19, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.

In addition, Sewing and the rock climbing activity will be included in a PBS documentary about childhood obesity, which is set to air on January 22, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. on Channel 10.

PLI Partners with Clark County School District's Adventure Project

PLI Partners with Clark County School District's Adventure Project

Bridging the Gap: Hotel College and Public Lands Institute combine resources for common goal

Bridging the Gap: Hotel College and Public Lands Institute combine resources for common goal

REI Awards Grant to Forever Earth Research & Learning Center

The Discover Mojave Forever Earth Program soon will extend its reach to more Clark County students thanks to a grant from Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). Officials with REI presented a $10,000 check to the Outside Las Vegas Foundation (OLVF) and the Public Lands Institute (PLI) on November 18, 2008 aboard the Forever Earth Research & Learning Center, which is berthed at Callville Bay Marina at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
REI, a national gear and apparel retail cooperative, supports local and national non-profit organizations that share the company’s commitment to increase youth participation in outdoor recreation and the conservation of shared outdoor spaces. OLVF was successful in receiving a grant on behalf of the Forever Earth program.

Bruce Gardner, manager of the REI Henderson store, presented the check to OLVF Executive Director Alan O’Neill, PLI Executive Director Peg Rees, and Forever Earth Project Manager Daphne Sewing. Sewing explained that the grant will fund ten to 15 additional trips for Clark County School District students in grades four through twelve. That means up to one thousand students will learn about science, the environment, and water quality issues. Sewing said Forever Earth has served more than 7000 Clark County residents since 2004, with 5000 being students. Following the presentation, fourth grade students from Reedom Elementary School boarded Forever Earth to explore the importance and water use cycle of Lake Mead.
The Forever Earth Program was established by OLVF in conjunction with the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership, which is comprised of the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. It is managed by PLI on behalf of the National Park Service. Forever Resorts, a concessionaire of Callville Bay Marine, donates the use of the boat and provides logistical and maintenance support.

The slob museum- Illegal dumping trashes our desert -- and leaves Las Vegas awash in filth. Why keeping it clean shouldn't be such a chore

The slob museum- Illegal dumping trashes our desert -- and leaves Las Vegas awash in filth. Why keeping it clean shouldn't be such a chore," by Amy Kingsley, Las Vegas CityLife.

PLI HIRES INTERPRETATION AND VOLUNTEERISM EXPERT

LAS VEGAS-The UNLV Public Lands Institute (PLI) and the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration have hired Beth Barrie as research assistant professor in recreation. In that capacity, Barrie will serve as project manager of the Southern Nevada Interagency Volunteer program, which is managed by PLI, and associate professor for recreation and sport management in the college’s Department of Recreation and Sport Management.



Barrie has an extensive background in interpretation and developing interpretive curriculum and training for employees and volunteers of the National Park Service. She will use that expertise to research, manage, and coordinate the recruitment and training of volunteers on federal lands in Southern Nevada that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. Barrie also will work with UNLV students to develop interpretive programs for public lands.



Barrie comes to PLI from the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University, where she was an instructional designer for the National Park Service Interpretive Development Program curriculum revision project. Prior to that, she was an instructor and researcher in recreation and an interpretive ranger. Barrie holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management and a Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University.



PLI was created in 2005 to work in collaboration with federal, state, and non-profit partners to create new knowledge, advance technology, improve education, and engage the community to enhance public lands stewardship. More information about PLI is available at http://publiclands.unlv.edu/.

U.S. Senators Reid and Ensign Recognize Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada

U.S. Senators Reid and Ensign Recognize Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada August 5, 2008 U.S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign have presented a United States Senate Certificate of Recognition and Distinction to the Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada program. The program recently received the Take Pride in America National Award in the state program category for its successful efforts to encourage public land clean-up activities and discourage littering and illegal dumping. Reid and Ensign note that the national award “is a result of your outstanding commitment to the enhancement and preservation of Southern Nevada’s public lands.”

Click here to Read Certificate

U.S. Senators Reid and Ensign recognize Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada for winning the National Take Pride Award for best state program and for its successful anti-litter and desert dumping efforts. Pictured left to right: Erika Schumacher, Bureau of Land Management; Amy Sprunger, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Sen. Harry Reid; Erik Walker, U.S. Forest Service; David Hughey, National Park Service; Sen. John Ensign; and Doug Joslin, UNLV Public Lands Institute, which manages the Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada program.

Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada Project Manager Doug Joslin with Sen. Reid and Sen. Ensign

Representatives of the Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada program accept the award for best state program from Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Take Pride in America Executive Director Katie Loovis. Pictured left to right: Sec. Kempthorne; Erik Walker, U.S. Forest Service; Lisa Christianson, Bureau of Land Management; Amy Sprunger, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; David Hughey, National Park Service; Erika Schumacher, Bureau of Land Management; Doug Joslin, Public Lands Institute; and Executive Director Loovis.

Ancient Sites Being Destroyed by Vandals

Ancient Sites Being Destroyed by Vandals

Two PLI Volunteers Awarded Endowed Scholarships

Two PLI Volunteers Awarded Endowed Scholarships

UNLV Hires Expert on Invasive Mussels

UNLV HIRES EXPERT ON INVASIVE MUSSELS
UNLV works with Lake Mead National Recreation Area to monitor Quagga mussels

July 8, 2008

LAS VEGAS-The UNLV Public Lands Institute (PLI) and the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health have hired David Wong as research assistant professor, specializing in Quagga mussels and water dynamics. Wong is assisting in the effort to monitor and manage the invasive mussels found at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. He is also coordinating technical assistance, development, implementation, and review of monitoring programs related to limnology, ecology, toxicology, and management issues associated with Lake Mead.

Before joining UNLV, Wong worked as a senior research scientist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He also conducted research projects for Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium at Louisiana State University and State University of New York at Stony Brook. He has experience in developing models on the ecological impact of invasive Zebra mussels on the ecosystem structure in the Great Lakes and the Hudson River ecosystems.

Wong’s research interests are the biology and ecology of Quagga mussels and the monitoring and management of aquatic living resources and water quality. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the School of Fisheries at Ocean University of China in Qingdao and his Ph.D. from City University of Hong Kong.

UNLV has an agreement with the National Park Service to provide limnology assistance to Lake Mead with funding from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. UNLV and PLI researchers are collaborating with Lake Mead personnel on limnology-related technical assistance and research projects.

PLI was created in 2005 to work in collaboration with federal, state, and non-profit partners to create new knowledge, advance technology, improve education, and engage the community to enhance public lands stewardship. More information about PLI is available at Public Lands Institute.

Quagga mussels shroud a sandal found at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Southern Nevada Anti-Litter Program Receives National Award

Southern Nevada Anti-Litter Program Receives National Award

SOUTHERN NEVADA ANTI-LITTER PROGRAM

RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

July 1, 2008

LAS VEGAS – The Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada program has been named the best state program in the nation. The recognition comes from Take Pride in America, a national partnership program aimed at increasing volunteer service on America’s public lands. Each year, Take Pride selects outstanding examples of stewardship across the country. The Southern Nevada program is one of 11 national award winners, representing projects and events in more than eight states.

Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada is managed by the Public Lands Institute (PLI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The program creates comprehensive and coordinated campaigns to effectively encourage cleanup and discourage littering and illegal dumping. It is a conservation initiative of the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership (SNAP), a unique interagency partnership comprised of the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service. The program is funded by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

“The growth of Southern Nevada and the popularity of our public lands have an unfortunate side effect of increased littering and desert dumping,” said Angie Lara, chair of the SNAP board of directors and associate field manager of the Bureau of Land Management’s Las Vegas Field Office. “This program was created to address those issues. We are grateful for the results, the favorable response from the community, and the national recognition of our efforts.”

Initiated in 2005, the program has conducted and supported more than 60 clean-up events involving 2857 volunteers, dozens of organizations, and alternative work forces that resulted in the removal of 3,713 cubic yards of waste from public lands. If the trash was placed in cubic yard boxes and stacked on top of each other, it would reach more than 11,000 feet high, 11 times taller than the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. The program also implemented the Don’t Trash Nevada campaign, a messaging campaign to increase awareness about littering and dumping and ways to prevent it. The campaign has generated more than one million visits to its website and enticed over one thousand people to pledge not to litter.

“We managed this program with the clear purpose of gaining an increased community sense of ownership and responsibility for the stewardship of our public lands,” said Margaret N. (Peg) Rees, PLI executive director. “We have seen the positive impact on the public lands and a greater respect for the environment in general.”

Program representatives will be among the winners to be honored at an awards ceremony on July 18 at the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. Visit www.donttrashnevada.org for more information on Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada and Don’t Trash Nevada.

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UNLV is a doctoral-degree granting institution with more than 28,000 students and approximately 3,300 faculty and staff. Founded in 1957, the university offers more than 220 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees. UNLV is located on a 350-acre campus in dynamic Southern Nevada and is classified in the category of Research Universities (high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

PLI's Scott Abella's grant funding featured in "It Was a Very Good Year"

PLI's Scott Abella's grant funding featured in "It Was a Very Good Year," by Gian Galassi, UNLV Innovation Spring 2008, Vol. 2, No. 1.

PLI's Craig Palmer's President's Research Award featured in "Investment in Research

PLI's Craig Palmer's President's Research Award featured in "Investment in Research

Southern Nevada Residents get 'Wrapped Up' in the Get Outdoors Nevada message

Southern Nevada Residents get 'Wrapped Up' in the Get Outdoors Nevada message

Public Lands Institute Open House 4/25/08

Connecting Hearts, Minds, & Hands to Public Lands
Open a heart. Nourish a mind. Lend a hand.

Please join us in celebrating UNLV Earth Week at the Public Lands Institute from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25, 2008.


Featuring:
Ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the UNLV GIS and Remote Sensing Core Lab.

Program presentations and demonstrations on conservation education for youth; volunteering on public lands; monitoring cultural sites; and archaeology, wildlife, and vegetation research.

Award-winning Artist/Naturalist Sharon K. Schafer, who will display her work and take us on a unique multimedia journey through Southern Nevada’s public lands.

Door prizes and giveaways will include entrance passes to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Refreshments will also be provided.

Schedule:
10:00 a.m. — Welcome/Introductions
10:30 a.m. — GIS/Remote Sensing Core Lab Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
11:00 a.m. — Program Presentations/Door Prizes
12:00 p.m. — Wildlife and Landscapes of Southern Nevada
1:00 p.m. — Closing comments


Come and go as you wish.
RSVP your attendance to
publiclands@unlv.edu or call 895-4678 TODAY!
PLI is located at the James E. Rogers Center for
Administration & Justice, Room 280
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-2040

View Invite here

Conference to Explore How to Inspire Children and Adults to Connect with the Natural Environment

Conference to Explore How to Inspire Children and Adults to Connect with the Natural Environment

Forever Earth Fun at Callville Bay on Lake Mead

Forever Earth Fun at Callville Bay on Lake Mead," Forever Resorts E-Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 2.

PLI Executive Director Appointed to Open Space Advisory Committee

PLI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED
TO OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

February 7, 2008

The executive director of the Public Lands Institute will be involved in a “history-in-the-making effort” with Clark County. Peg Rees has been asked by Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid to serve as a member of the Open Space Advisory Committee for the new Las Vegas Valley Perimeter Open Space Plan. The committee of 20 is comprised of representatives of the valley’s environmental, user, business, and academic communities; local municipalities; Clark County; and the Bureau of Land Management.

Clark County’s vision is to form an open space network for public use by identifying and connecting key areas along the rim of the valley. It also wants to identify areas that should remain in public ownership or receive some form of protection to preserve future opportunities.

The Open Space Advisory Committee will meet from January through March 2008 and comment on draft documents and maps. The Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management will manage the Las Vegas Valley Perimeter Open Space Plan.

2008 Task Agreements Announced

2008 Task Agreements Announced.

Eagle count sets record

Eagle count sets record," by Fred Couzens, Boulder City View.

Vandalism at Red Rock Damages Ruins

Vandalism at Red Rock Damages Ruins, " by Jeff Pope, Summerlin SW Home News.

REBOUNDING RAPTORS: Lake Mead eagles soaring

REBOUNDING RAPTORS: Lake Mead eagles soaring by Keith Rogers, Review-Journal.

Pli Program Coordinates 2008 Bald Eagle Winter Count

PLI’s National Park Service Monitoring Program coordinated and conducted the 2008 winter count of bald eagles on Lakes Mead and Mojave. Program Administrator Dr. Jef Jaeger and his team coordinated boats for each route; identified and recruited qualified lead observers, boat operators, data recorders, and other volunteers; and conducted a brief training session on mapping, data recording, and GPS operation for data recorders. KLAS-TV Chief Investigative Reporter George Knapp covered the winter count.

View the video of this story here at LasVegasNOW.com