Year in Review 2007

As a new year begins, it is a good time to look back and consider the many substantial improvements seen in the Las Vegas Wash (Wash).  Several events showcased the local community’s commitment to preserving and enhancing Wash habitat.  On March 10, 2007, the 11th semi-annual Wash Green-Up occurred on one of the biggest sites to date, covering 14 acres.  More than 500 volunteers attended and worked to plant more than 5,000 plants.  The new Powerline Crossing Weir Bridge served its purpose as volunteers and organizers used it to travel from the north to the south banks of the Wash.

On March 13, 2007, the Stardust Casino was reduced to rubble in a grand implosion that echoed throughout the Las Vegas Valley.  The much-celebrated demolition event garnered television coverage and national media attention.  The implosion amid the fanfare reduced the 32-story Stardust to 170,000 tons of debris.  Now referred to as riprap and designated to help stabilize Wash channels, the rubble would join remnants of several other Las Vegas casinos. Material acquisition has proven to be invaluable to the development and protection of the Wash.  The program truly exemplifies the trash-to-treasure ideal, and may serve as an example to future generations and neighboring cities.

A planting event with the Cub and Boy Scouts in April covered several acres at a site called S-111.  Fourwing and desert saltbush, creosote bush, honey and screwbean mesquite made up the 2,400 plants used in the event.  By the end of spring 2007, the Wash achieved approximately 30 acres of native plant revegetation.  Also in April, an enterprising Boy Scout looking to earn his Eagle Scout rank worked with Wash personnel to construct a permanent fence around the Bostick Kiosk.  Fence materials were laid out and arranged into the proper formation.  Then, volunteers dug numerous fence post holes.  The holes were filled with concrete and fence posts placed.  The finished product was a design matching the fencing in the Clark County Nature Preserve, providing a congruent look to visitors.

On Saturday April 21, 2007, in celebration of Earth Day, Wash personnel took part in Summerlin’s Earth Day Faire.  Handouts and fun giveaways were distributed to parents and children to educate the public about the Wash.

Over the summer months, Wash personnel moved their offices to a new building in downtown Las Vegas.  This new building meets “green building” standards and was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold level certification.
 

The annual Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee tour occurred on October 23, 2007.  Participants enjoyed a guided tour of the Sunrise Mountain Trailhead, Revegetation Site 111, Upper Diversion Construction Site, C-1 Channel, Bostick Weir and Kiosk, and Las Vegas Bay Overlook.  Tour-goers were able to discuss important topics such as wildlife studies, weir construction, riprap placement, and public outreach.  

Mabel Hoggard Elementary students participated in educational events in November.  Students were dubbed biologists for a day and supplied with a backpack containing binoculars, Las Vegas Wash Field Trip Notebook, and a GPS device.  On the shores of Lake Mead students were invited onboard the vessel Forever Earth.  Students donned lifejackets and were divided into two groups, then participated in learning about water quality and the different organisms in the lake.  Experts onboard this floating environmental laboratory encouraged interaction and questions from the students.  Wash personnel drove the students back to their campus and gave them gift bags on arrival.  No doubt the students thoroughly enjoyed the day’s experiences.

It was another dynamic year for the Wash in 2007.  No doubt 2008 will be even more interesting and active as plans to for revegetation, preservation, and education are realized with the invaluable help of community volunteers.  Stay tuned to lvwash.org for current and up coming events.