By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
Nearly 200 volunteers showed up to put 3,000 native plants into the ground at a “Green Up” event held at the Warm Springs Natural Area on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) Restoration Ecologist Von Winkel said that he was pleased with how many people pre-registered for the event, and with the crowd that showed up to help.
“We have a good group here and we should be able to get a lot done,” Winkel said.
Volunteers included people from Moapa Valley, Mesquite and the Las Vegas valley. Winkel greeted each group of volunteers in the field and gave them basic training on how to get the plants into the ground. Then they were all set free to get to work.
College of Southern Nevada Biology Professor Lois Merkler brought six student members of the CSN Biology Club to the event.
Merkler said that she had helped with similar projects in the past both at Warm Springs and other SNWA properties.
“It is always fun to come out,” Merkler said. “And it is good for the students to get out in the field and get their hands dirty.”
A volunteer group from Las Vegas called Shine City brought about a dozen people to the Green Up to help.
Shine City Director Jeffrey Silerio explained that the group members are always looking for ways to improve their community and the region around it.
“We are looking to change the perception from ‘Sin City’ to ‘Shine City’ which is the reason for our name,” Silerio said. “We get together every Saturday and try to do some project; a cleanup or a rescue mission or food distribution; things like that. This week we decided to come out here and help in this area.”
By the end of the morning, the volunteers had put all the plants into the ground over a total area of about three acres.
“We even finished early,” Winkel said at the end of the day. “And we ate well.”
The volunteers were all treated to a lunch from the White Boys Tacos food truck which came out for the event.
“It was excellent food!” Winkel said.
After lunch, the Warm Springs Natural Area hosted a walking tour of the public use area of the facility. The Area will be hosting more walking tours in the coming months and the public is invited.
Walking tours will take place on Nov. 19, 9-11 am and 1-3 pm; Dec. 3, 10am -12 pm and 1-3 pm; and Dec. 17, 10 am – 12 pm and 1-3 pm. To register visit www.eventcreate.com/e/wsna-mvnwr_tours.
