Greening of Nevada

Friday, Aug. 20, 1999 | 8:55 a.m.

RENO -- Secretary of State Dean Heller and Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa joined Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro today in urging local governments and others to plant thousands of trees and wildflowers to beautify Nevada.

Boulder City has set a goal of planting 15,000 trees -- one for every citizen -- during the millennium celebration and will kick off its effort Oct. 23.

Ferraro, appearing at the meeting of the Nevada League of Cities in Fallon, challenged officials to follow the lead.

"I believe this is a tremendous project, one that should involve all entities in our state for what it will do for our communities," Ferraro said.

Heller and Del Papa held a news conference in Reno to urge not only governments but business and citizens to take part in the campaign called "Trees 2000 project." Its goal is to plant drought-resistant and regionally appropriate trees and wildflowers in every part of the state.

"Nevada has always been uniquely beautiful," Heller said. "From the high desert of Southern Nevada to the rich beauty of Lake Tahoe, this state offers something for everyone. Together we can provide a higher quality of life for future generations of Nevadans."

Del Papa said the campaign would add greater beauty to the state while at the same time passing down a lasting legacy to future generations.

"Our hope is that businesses, groups, schools and other entities will challenge each other to plant trees in their community," she said.

Washoe County Manager Katy Simon has pledged her support for the effort and said she will urge county governments to follow the lead.

The project will conclude on the Nevada Day weekend, 2000.