Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Guest Column:

Protect Nevada’s future by securing our past, preserving our lands

There is true economic and communal value in protecting public lands.

Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Dina Titus recently held a public meeting to gather our community’s input on the opportunities to preserve Nevada’s public lands. Our diverse community attended the meeting in numbers demonstrating our shared love for open spaces and public lands. I appreciated this opportunity to speak on behalf of the community I represent in North Las Vegas and the students I teach and advise at Rancho High School. I want to thank our national leaders for hosting this discussion and protecting our community’s interests.

The recently designated Tule Springs National Monument will be an economic catalyst for our region. The unique urban nature of Tule Springs will support local economic growth by attracting more tourists to our region as well as enticing tourists to stay longer to explore our newest national treasure. Tule Springs provides a unique border by surrounding the northern edges of North Las Vegas and the greater Las Vegas Valley. This protective border to our community will attract more families and increase the quality of life for our residents.

These economic benefits also can be experienced in cities such as Mesquite and Alamo as they fight to permanently protect the spectacular lands and cultural resources in their communities. Nevada has been blessed with a bounty of natural beauty and archeological artifacts; it has a wealth of places worthy of permanent protection as administratively designated national monuments.

I love to be outdoors. I try to get out every hunting season with my family to bond and grow together. We have loved to fish, camp and get outdoors for years now. The open spaces surrounding our valley offer the chance to unwind, find oneself, and commune with nature and family. I want to see the same opportunity to enjoy the natural and historical resources afforded to our future generations.

As a teacher at Rancho High School and as a father, I know the experience of recreation on public lands can positively influence a child’s development and life. Witnessing the awe-inspiring beauty of rolling hills and majestic mountains can give a child a new perspective and help them overcome the adversity faced in their day-to-day lives. As an educator, I know firsthand the issues that some of our youths face, and helping them is my passion.

We need to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy our public lands today and that the future generations I have the pleasure of educating every day do too. Protecting areas such as Tule Springs, Gold Butte, and Basin and Range Province will not only preserve traditions of hunting and camping, but will also serve to recognize the importance of public lands to our culture, our families and our economy.

Isaac Barron is a teacher at Rancho High School and a North Las Vegas councilman representing Ward 1.

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