Public lands site of preservation effort

Hundreds of Nevadans are projected to step up to the plate during the 10th annual Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 20. Nationwide, nearly 80,000 volunteers are expected to assist at about 500 projects managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Defense and Environmental Protection Agency.

"Thousands of Americans demonstrate each year how much the nation's public lands mean to them by contributing millions of dollars worth of labor and supplies on National Public Lands Day," said Kevin Coyle, president of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, which coordinates the effort. "The event embodies the national focus on volunteerism and represents the country's commitment to preserving its public places for future generations."

The local effort will kick off early today with a cleanup and ecology dive at Willow Beach, located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Sign-in for certified divers and cleanup workers runs from 8 to 9 a.m., and the event concludes with a mid-afternoon barbecue. Divers should wear dry or wet suits, and cleanup workers should bring gloves and footwear that can get wet. The beach is located 14 miles south of Hoover Dam, off of U.S. Highway 93.

On Saturday, seed collection will be the focus at the west side of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, located northwest of Las Vegas. Participants should bring some work gloves, wear closed-toe shoes and wear work clothes. To participate in the 9:30 a.m. activity, call Claire Brecher at 515-5418.

"Volunteers are needed throughout the year, not only on National Public Lands Day. One of the things that I would like to see is National Public Lands Day becoming a springboard for volunteerism," said Nancy Bernard, volunteer project manager.

Volunteers are also needed for the following projects:

--Oct. 4: Cottonwood Cove cleanup and ecology dive at Lake Mead. Certified divers are needed for the dive, and all are welcome to cleanup. Call 293-8714.

--Oct. 18: Callville Bay cleanup and ecology dive at Lake Mead. Call 293-8714.

--Oct. 25: Red Rock Canyon community project day. Various projects such as painting and trash pickup are planned. Meet at the visitor's center at 8 a.m. Call 515-5354.

--Nov. 8: National Park America Tour at Lake Mead. Call 293-8714.

--Nov. 8: Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge stewardship workday. Call 515-5453.

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