Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Restate commitment to outdoors in 1998

Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 | 10:08 a.m.

PAULA DEL GIUDICE has been an outdoors freelance writer, author and photographer for 13 years.

MY NEW YEAR'S resolutions don't look much different from anyone elses: lose that last 10 pounds that somehow crept up to 15 over the holidays, stress less, exercise more. One thing I hope to do more of in the new year is to spend more time outdoors. I think of the most peaceful, gratifying moments of last year and realize (aside from the time I spent in worship in church) the best memories I have of spending time with my family were the ones we enjoyed outdoors.

I know that by taking the time to take the kids on a short hike at Red Rock, for instance, instead of a trek to the mall, I'll probably accomplish some of the other resolutions on my list. It's more than must spending time outdoors, though, it's helping my children and maybe others appreciate nature in a special way that's important and life-lasting.

So whether it's through my son's Scout pack or through some other way, I hope I can share my special love of the outdoors and all things natural with young people.

While xeriscaping our front yard is at the top of our home improvement projects this spring and I'm looking forward to that, I also want to build a butterfly garden with and for my kids in the back yard. I've avoided it because it's not so simple as digging up some dirt and throwing in some plants. When we first moved to our home, we planted three trees. While digging, we found an assortment of garbage. We know that our home site was once an empty lot where people who were too lazy to go to the landfill dumped their excess refuse.

It's not the best type of dirt in which to plant a healthy garden, so we need to build a raised bed and a barrier to the Bermuda grass. Then there's soil to build. It's a major project, but the kids love bugs so much, it will be worth it. It will also help them learn about growing things and life's cycles. Wishes for 1998

Compiling a wish list for 1998 is a simple task. Most of the wishes on my list are far beyond my control--like the weather-- but if these wishes come to fruition, wild life and wild places in Nevada will be better off in the new year. I wish for:

* Late winter and early spring rains. The green up in the hills going into winter was spectacular throughout most of southern Nevada. If late winter and early spring moisture, coupled with just the right temperatures prevail, there will be more green food for wildlife to enjoy during the critical birth months when succulent grasses and forbs are so important. This will continue to give populations of quail (and boy do they need a boost), mule deer and bighorn sheep a real boost.

* Greater support for restriction in growth in the Valley. Those leaders with foresight need to be encouraged to promote thought-provoking discussions about where we're heading in terms of growth and what additional growth will mean to the quality of our life in the Valley. If someone doesn't slow down the runaway train, we'll always be managing by hindsight--as if Nevadans hadn't learned their lessons from this type of management in the past.

* Level heads, common sense and a good voter turnout. I hope voters will make wise decisions about races this year, in particular the Senate election. I hope, for wildlife and the environment's benefit that voters will think thoughtfully and carefully about their choices and choose the only candidate who has a proven track record of love and concern for the environment.

* An atmosphere of mutual concern for our natural resources instead of contention in all forums.

* Good health.