Columnist Barb Henderson: Red Rock Canyon clean up planned

Barb Henderson

Friday, April 2, 2004 | 9:33 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

Spring has sprung!

A season when our feathered friends form a singing chorus to perform musical sounds that echo from the nearby trees and a wide-range of spectacular wildflowers dot the desert environment with a magnificent glow displaying a rainbow of colors.

Another indication that spring weather has arrived in Southern Nevada occurred back on February 19th at 11:14am, when Mojave Max, a resident tortoise at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (RRCNCA), emerged.

Springtime often creates an urge for some folks to engage in spring cleaning, and, when it comes to the chore of where to clean, why, even the great outdoors is no exception.

The Bureau of Land Management and the nonprofit organization Friends of Red Rock Canyon have scheduled May 1 for the sixth annual Red Rock Days.

"Friends of Red Rock Canyon members are committed to assisting the BLM in protecting RRCNCA and helping visitors enjoy their visit," said Kirsten Cannon, public affairs specialist for BLM.

This is the first year that the annual Red Rock Days will be part of the Take Pride in America program. Red Rock Days will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers will not be required to pay the RRCNCA entry fee on that day. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to pre-register and all workers under 18 must have a signed parental consent form.

Workers will be given a short training session on how to work in the RRCNCA sensitive environment and be given basic safety procedures. Volunteers will be divided into groups and assigned a project (trail maintenance, litter cleanup etc.) with a trained work leader. BLM officials encourage workers to wear appropriate clothing and shoes, bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen and drinking water.

All volunteers will be treated to a delicious complimentary barbecue lunch hosted by the Friends of Red Rock Canyon.

"Members volunteer thousands of hours each year assisting with trash pickup, trail maintenance, leading hikes, maintaining the Visitor Center grounds, staffing the information desk, monitoring cultural sites and other important tasks," Cannon said. "In addition, Friends provide more than $100,000 a year in funding to purchase equipment, supplies and provide training for staff, volunteers and visitors."

By the way, congratulations to Friends of Red Rock Canyon on its 20th anniversary that begins this October. For information on the group and/or Red Rock Days click on the Internet at: www.friendsofredrockcanyon.org

RRCNCA majestic geographic scenery stretches out to more than 198,000 acres, with more than 1 million visitors last year. Visitors meander through a 13-mile one-way scenic drive, in a vehicle or on a bicycle, surrounded by natural beauty. Adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center you'll discover an exhibit that showcases our state reptile, the desert tortoise.

Try to spend extra time at this exhibit, you may catch Mojave Max out enjoying a slow walk. For details click on the Internet at: www.mojavemax.com

The grandeur of this geological wonder offers outdoor enthusiasts a destination for a variety of outdoor opportunities such as; viewing wild horses and burros, camping, bicycling, horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking along marvelous trails. For more information on RRCNCA, see its Web site at www.redrockcanyon.blm.gov or call the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center at 515-5350.