Red Rock advocates speak on behalf of Hughes

The Friends of Red Rock Canyon, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, recently honored The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of the Summerlin master-planned community, for its support of the conservation area and other public lands.

The Hughes organization has been an exemplary corporate citizen which has helped the nonprofit group in its mission to support the Bureau of Land Management in protecting and enriching the conservation area, according to Pat Williams, vice president of Friends of Red Rock Canyon.

"The Howard Hughes Corp. has consistently provided an outstanding example of responsible and intelligent development," Williams said. "The list of contributions and efforts made by Hughes is both impressive and significant, and has benefited not only Red Rock Canyon, but has enriched the quality of life for all Southern Nevadans."

Williams said the single greatest acts of support from Hughes include two land exchanges with the BLM. In 1987, before Summerlin began to develop, Hughes completed a 5,000-acre exchange that helped establish the gateway to Red Rock Canyon.

A second exchange in 2002 increased the size of the conservation area by more than 1,080 acres. In addition, 250 acres around the new detention basin were added to the conservation area.

"Hughes has always been a willing participant in safeguarding the areas bordering the conservation area," Williams said. "The company and its leaders are true friends of Red Rock."

Williams also cited a $30,000-plus donation in 2001 for a trail-signage system that replaced outdated, inaccurate or nonexistent signs.

"Thanks to Hughes, Red Rock hikers now have a much better sense of where they are on the trail. The signage system is not only valuable in terms of a directional tool, but has the potential to save lives," she said.

Hughes also sponsors Tortoise Trot, a fund-raising event for Friends of Red Rock, and donated materials for Red Rock Days, an annual work event at the conservation area.

Summerlin encompasses 22,500 acres and is home to more than 65,000 residents. The community aligns Red Rock Canyon.

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