SNWA Honors Scouts And Volunteers

By VERNON ROBISON

Moapa Valley Progress

It was a grand reunion of sorts; a reunion of community service at the Warm Springs Natural Area on Saturday, November 17.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority held an appreciation event to honor all Boy Scouts who had completed Eagle Scout Service Projects at the Natural Area over the past six years. Both the Scouts and their families were invited.

“We are here to recognize a lot of good volunteer work over the past six years,” said SNWA Coordinator Von Winkle who has helped facilitate the Boy Scout volunteer efforts over the years. “As you can see, this property has truly blossomed into a beautiful space. I am a beneficiary of your volunteer work. You have lightened our load in this undertaking and we truly apprecate it.”

Since 2011, a total of 62 Boy Scouts have completed Eagle Projects at the Warm Springs Natural Area. The boys have come from all over throughout the region including Moapa Valley, Virgin Valley and the Las Vegas area. Their projects have included a variety of efforts including planting trees, building campsites, clearing firewood, restoring historic irrigation ditches, constructing bridges and more.

These projects involved more than 1300 volunteers completing a total of more than 10,000 community service hours.

Winkle rattled off a list of accomplishments coming from the projects. More than 16,000 plants had been planted. Fifteen acres of habitat had been restored. Four new walking bridges had been constructed over streams. Five campsites had been built. More than 14 trailerloads of cut firewood had been removed from the property. About 1.5 miles of stream bed had been planted with native vegetation. Five hundred feet of historic irrigation ditch had been restored. These were just a few of the projects done, Winkle said.

Taken together, all of this volunteer work had resulted in a cost savings to SNWA of $195,000, Winkle said.

The names of each Eagle Scout were announced at a brief ceremony that opened Saturday’s event. Each Scout, or a representative, was invited to come forward to receive a framed map appreciating that boy specifically. Each map located and listed all of the projects that had been completed and then highlighted that specific recipient’s project among the many.

A larger version of the map was also presented to the Las Vegas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This was received by Logandale resident Craig Fabbi who is the Unit Commissioner of the Area Council’s Anasazi District.

“This will hang in the lobby of the Council office in Las Vegas,” Fabbi said. “It is a testament to the impact of the hard work of these boys, their planning and their service. We are grateful for the partnership that we have had with SNWA in these projects. They have taught boys leadership and organization skills and also instilled the value of the outdoors. That is a big part of what Scouting is all about.”

After the brief ceremony, attendees were invited to participate in an afternoon of activities.
A barbecue lunch was provided, cooked up by the local smoking team of the Righteous Outlaws.

The crowd was welcome to roam the grounds of the Natural Area. Tours of the area were given. Some highlighted the natural resources of the area. Others discussed the history and archaeological study of various features within the area.

An archery range was available for Scouts and their families to try their hands at target shooting. A roping demonstration was held at a restored historic corral on the property. A Mountain Man demonstration was also on display with members of the Rocky Mountain Man group in attendance to give demonstrations.

The Scouts and their families enjoyed an afternoon of outdoor activities.

The Warm Springs Natural Area is open from 7 am to 5 pm between September and late May.
Volunteer opportunities still abound at the Warm Springs Natural Area. Those wishing to help can email to info@warmspringsnaturalarea.com.