Trail Photo Contest

Trail Photo Contest - Sponsored by Henderson Parks and Recreation Department - - for National Trails Day Celebration

 

Do you have a winning shot?   Do you have the discerning eye (and luck!) to capture a special moments in time on a Henderson trail?



Then grab your camera and start shooting, as the City of Henderson wants to see your best trail photo.  The contest has been underway for a month and local residents, tourists, young and old are invited to submit their images.



"We're challenging photographers to be imaginative in coming up with photos that capture the spirit of trails in the City of Henderson.  Then we can share these photos with the world," Jennifer Magby, Outdoor Recreation Specialist, COH said.

All photos must have a City of Henderson trail in the photo (i.e. Amargosa Trail, Boulder Highway Trail, Cactus Wren Trail, Equestrian Trail, Anthem East Trail, Pittman Wash Trail, River Mountains Loop trail, or Union Pacific Railroad Trail) in the photograph and identified by name on the entry form. Visit www.cityofhenderson.com for additional information and trail maps. 

The top three finalists from each category will have their photographs on display at the National Trails Day Celebration, on October 3, 2009, on the Promenade at the Henderson Pavilion.

 

Start shooting today, the trails photo contest deadline is Monday August 31, 2009.

Musseling in

"Musseling in," by T.R. Witcher, Las Vegas Weekly.

Las Vegas Middle School Receives National Award

Middle school students serve as national example of good stewards of our public lands

July 16, 2009

Dr. Wiliam H. “Bob” Bailey Middle School has been named the best school 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. Bailey Middle School is one of 15 recipients of the 2009 Take Pride in America National Award, representing projects and events in 11 states and the District of Columbia.

Bailey Middle School joined with Liliam Hickey Elementary School to initiate the Great Unconformity Community Sponsorship. The program was designed to increase student achievement while developing a sense of community pride through the sponsorship of the Great Unconformity, a national geographical landmark located on Lake Mead Boulevard about 1.5 miles from the schools. The site, which is adjacent to the urban environment, was being destroyed by spray paint graffiti, broken beer bottles, and general trash.

Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada joined with the students, parents, the Bureau of Land Management, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers, Citizens for Active Management, UNLV, and Touro University Occupational Therapy students to sponsor the site. Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada is managed by the Public Lands Institute at UNLV and is a conservation initiative of the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership, a unique interagency partnership comprised of the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service.

Approximately 400 students, volunteers, and agency representatives conducted seven clean-up events from September 2008 through April 2009 and removed six dumpster-loads of trash. In addition, students, teachers, and parents interacted with the habitat and historic site to learn how to protect the environment. Representatives of the Great Unconformity Community Sponsorship will be in Washington, D.C. to be honored at an awards ceremony for all national award winners on July 17 at the Department of Interior.

Bailey Middle School has made more than 20 field trips to the site since 2005 when the school opened. Bailey was officially named a Take Pride in America School in 2007, the only school in Nevada to have the designation.

Peg Rees appointed Interim Vice Provost for Educational Outreach

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Peg Rees as the Interim Vice Provost for Educational Outreach, a position that she will hold while continuing to also serve as the Executive Director of the Public Lands Institute.  Dr. Rees will provide the interim leadership to move the Division of Educational Outreach forward until the successful hiring of a new Vice Provost.


Dr. Rees is a Professor of Geosciences and has taught at both the community college and university levels, worked as an oil exploration geologist, and conducted National Science Foundation funded research, primarily in Antarctica, China, and the western United States. In addition, she has been an active member of the UNLV Women’s Studies faculty and has been funded by the National Science Foundation for interdisciplinary women’s studies, social science, and geology projects in earth science education.


While at UNLV, Peg has served as Chair of the Department of Geosciences, Associate Provost for Academic Resources, Senior Vice Provost, and as Associate Vice President for Research and Community Outreach. Most recently, she has led the development of the Public Lands Institute, which draws upon the expertise and creativity of faculty, students, and community members in southern Nevada and throughout the state and country to strengthen the national fabric that is essential for the protection, multiple use, sustainability, and management of public lands.


Please join us in expressing appreciation to Dr. Rees for her willingness to assume these additional duties and for her dedicated service to our university community.

Certification program offered to boost credentials of environmental educators and interpreters

Nevada educators and others have the opportunity to be certified as highly qualified

July 10, 2009

Educators, interpreters and others working at nature and heritage-rich attractions in Nevada now have the opportunity to receive the Nevada State Certification in Environmental Education and Interpretation. The Public Lands Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will begin its summer 2009 cohort in August.

The comprehensive certification program will consist of two major components: coursework and an internship. The courses include the conceptual foundations, issues and methods of environmental education; environmental literacy; planning, implementing and fostering learning; and diverse audiences. The courses will be conducted in a workshop format from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. beginning on August 12 and ending on August 19 at the Springs Preserve. A supervised internship with a trained mentor will follow the coursework. Participants then will be awarded a Nevada State Certificate in Environmental Education and Interpretation.

“This certification provides a variety of benefits to individuals and organizations,” said Allison Brody, Conservation Education and Interpretation program manager at the Public Lands Institute. “Educators, interpreters and others attain the knowledge, practical skills and experiences for work in public land areas, museums, zoos, aquaria and other nature and heritage-rich places. Organizations, including tour operators, gain highly qualified educators and interpreters to help connect with their audiences in meaningful and fun ways,” Brody explained.

The cost for the certification courses and internship is $150. Please visit enviroedexchange.org/certification to get more information. You may also contact Allyson Butler by email at allyson.butler@unlv.edu or phone at 702.895.5147.

"'Greedy' trees still leave room for the little plants," by MacGregor Campbell, New Scientist.

Summer students stay engaged

"Summer students stay engaged," LVRJ.

Familias hispanas aprenden de la Naturaleza

"Familias hispanas aprenden de la Naturaleza" El Tiempo, LVRJ.

Hispanic Families Learn About Nature

"Hispanic Families Learn About Nature" El Tiempo, LVRJ.