County’s wetlands project ranks among best in the world

Friday, March 8, 2002 | 10:13 a.m.

The Clark County Wetlands Park has been named as one of the five best wetlands restoration projects in the world, according to a Harvard University poll.

An expert panel from Harvard's Graduate School of Design recognized the county's efforts in restoring 2,900 acres of wetlands along the southeastern edge of the Las Vegas Valley.

"The Las Vegas Wash restoration project is a signature, and evolving, success story," said Robert France, Harvard associate professor of landscape ecology.

County officials presented the wetlands proposal to the experts at Harvard in November.

The first phase of the park, a 130-acre nature preserve, opened in February 2001, park planning manager Jeff Harris said. He described the Harvard designers as "surprised" at the scope of the wetlands park project.

"They thought Vegas was all glitter," Harris said.

The growing wetlands park is the largest designated open-space area in the Las Vegas Valley, he said.

"Just try to imagine how important this park will be in 20 years after the valley is fully developed," Harris said.

The local wetlands were in the spotlight along with similar restoration projects in Amsterdam, London, Zurich and the San Francisco Bay.

"It was an honor to be recognized by Harvard University's school of Landscape Design," Pat Marchese, Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation director, said.

The park is part of an effort by federal, state and local agencies to preserve wildlife habitat and improve water quality in the wash, which leads to Lake Mead, the Las Vegas Valley's major drinking water supply.

The park will offer residents a chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat, a visitors center, 25 miles of trails for hikers and horseback riders, picnic facilities and education programs. The project is expected to be completed in about 10 years.

Students from local schools and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, are visiting the wetlands to conduct research and study wildlife as part of an environmental education program.