Congratulations to Bob Bailey Middle School

June 16, 2009

LAS VEGAS – Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada congratulates Bob Bailey Middle School for being named the nation’s best school program. Take Pride in America recently announced its 2009 national award winners in 10 categories. Bailey Middle School was recognized for its Great Unconformity Bailey-Hickey Community Sponsorship program.

U.S. Department of the Interior - News Release - 2009 Take Pride In America® National Award Winners Announced

PLI Research Associate Profiled in Alum Magazine

June 12, 2009

PLI Research Associate Cayenne Engel and her desert research have captured the attention of Agnes Scott The Magazine, the alumnae magazine for Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. The Spring 2009 edition features a profile of Cayenne, who graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. View the article here.

National Public Lands Organization Recognizes PLI for its Service to the Public Lands Community

June 1, 2009

LAS VEGAS -- The Public Lands Institute (PLI) at UNLV is being recognized nationally for its work in public land management and stewardship. The Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) has awarded a Certificate of Achievement to PLI for its 5 years of exemplary service to the public lands community.

APPL is a not-for-profit organization that works to engage the public in caring for our nation's natural and cultural resources. In providing the award to PLI, APPL Executive Director Donna Asbury noted that “the quality and caliber of PLI’s collective work is truly impressive and inspiring.”

“We are honored by the award and humbled by Asbury’s comments about our work,” said Peg Rees, PLI executive director. “Our staff and volunteers put their hearts and hands in action. They are extremely committed to our public lands and work diligently toward the protection and responsible use of natural and cultural resources in Southern Nevada.”

PLI specializes in education, research, geographic information systems/database management, and civic engagement projects related to public lands. The institute was established 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 management and stewardship. More information about the institute is available at publiclands.unlv.edu.

Young Researchers Lead the Way in Sciences

Young Researchers Lead the Way in Sciences

Lummis Elementary Expresses its Thanks to PLI

Students, teachers, and parents of William R. Lummis Elementary School recently learned more about Don’t Trash Nevada and Get Outdoors Nevada. The Public Lands Institute had a booth at the school’s third annual Science Night. The students decided to show their appreciation with creative and beautiful handcrafted thank you cards. 

PLI helps middle school students "rock and row"

The Public Lands Institute is working with the Clark County School District to provide instruction for its Project Adventure Curriculum in physical education classes. Students from select middle schools are learning about stewardship and new ways to enjoy being physically active on public lands. Secondary Physical Education Facilitator Hayden Ross has created a video pictorial of the rock climbing and kayaking activities.

The project is funded by the Michael Jordan Inspiration grant and the Junior League of Las Vegas, with additional support from Niketown Las Vegas, Nike, Vegas PBS, Woodson Dermatology, and the CCSD School-Community Partnership Office.

UNLV and PLI Highlighted in the Management of Southern Nevada’s Public Lands

UNLV and the Public Lands Institute’s partnership and accomplishments with federal agencies are being touted in two recently released reports. The Las Vegas Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management prepared the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act: 10-Year Report to Congress. The report states “Universities (such as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas) have become key partners on a number of projects by providing expertise through agreements with Federal agencies.” The report also details the accomplishments of the conservation initiatives managed by PLI, including the Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada program. The full report is available here (link to pdf).

The Southern Nevada Agency Partnership (SNAP) produced the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Overview of Accomplishments. SNAP, created in 1997, is a partnership of the four federal land management agencies – the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. The report credits PLI with becoming “an academic leader in creative land management practices.”

If you would like more information on any of the projects, we would be pleased to provide it to you. Contact us at publiclands@unlv.edu .