Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Vegetation Monitoring And Analysis: Quarterly Progress Report, October 1, 2007 To December 31, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Vegetation Monitoring

Executive Summary

• The Weed Sentry program surveyed more than 750 miles of federal lands in Clark County for invasive, exotic plant species.
• Weed Sentry also removed more than 600,000 individual invasive plants from federal
  lands. These removals represent pro-active efforts that may have forestalled large
  infestations difficult and costly to eradicate.
• In response to a request by the manager of the Fish and Wildlife Service Desert National
  Wildlife Refuge, a major effort of surveying springs for plant community composition
  and invasive plants provided unique knowledge services by the Weed Sentry program.
  No such baseline information existed for the Sheep Range. …

Concurrent Panel Session 1: Sustainability In Community Development And Architecture In Las Vegas, Alfredo Fernandez-Gonzalez, Craig Galati, Mary Kay Peck, Jeff Roberts, Suzanne Sanders, Richard Serfas

Shaping the Future of Southern Nevada: Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability

Moderator: David Frommer, AIA, UNLV Planning & Construction Scribe: Michael Spurr, UNLV Department of History Conference white paper & Full summary of panel session, 5 pages

Concurrent Panel Session 1: Environmental Sustainability And Las Vegas, Dale A. Devitt, David E. James, Patricia Mulroy, Alan O'Neill, Thomas C. Piechota, Doug Selby, Krystyna Anne Stave, Michael Yackira, Bruce Turner

Shaping the Future of Southern Nevada: Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability

Moderator: Dr. Stan Smith, UNLV School of Life Sciences Scribe: Crystal Jackson, UNLV Department of Sociology Conference white paper & Full summary of panel session, 6 pages

Take Pride In America In Southern Nevada: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Covering July 6 – Oct. 5, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Anti-littering Programs

• Don’t Trash Nevada website traffic remains strong despite no separate marketing.

• Project Manager Douglas Joslin has been assisting the IVP team due to the resignation of Donna Grady.

• A new ad created in cooperation with Republic Services of Southern Nevada appeared in five different View newspapers in July.

• The messaging campaign year two plan is in development and will be ready in November.

• Forty-three people took the anti-litter pledge this quarter, bringing the total number of pledges to 431.

• Planning for the Don’t Trash Nevada exhibit at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum continued …

Nevada Interagency Volunteer Program: Helping Hands Across Public Lands – Phase Ii: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Covering July 1 - September 30, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Get Outdoors Nevada

• The number of records in the volunteer database increased 11% over last quarter. The database now contains 4,343 records.
• Website activity increased, recording an average of 121,313 hits per month, an increase of 31% from last quarter, with an average of 11,475 pages viewed per month.
• Volunteer fall training has been scheduled, developed and publicized.
• Three National Public Land Day Events are planned.
• Volunteer recognition banquet event is being planned and developed.
• Transition in the program manager position took place. The position is currently filled with an interim volunteer program associate.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Vegetation Monitoring And Analysis: Year-End Progress Report, October 1, 2006 To September 30, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Vegetation Monitoring

Executive Summary

• The Weed Sentry program surveyed more than 750 miles of federal lands in Clark County for invasive, exotic plant species.
• Weed Sentry also removed more than 600,000 individual invasive plants from federal
  lands. These removals represent pro-active efforts that may have forestalled large
  infestations difficult and costly to eradicate.
• In response to a request by the manager of the Fish and Wildlife Service Desert National
  Wildlife Refuge, a major effort of surveying springs for plant community composition
  and invasive plants provided unique knowledge services by the Weed Sentry program.
  No such baseline information existed for the Sheep Range. …

Land Cover Types Of The Las Vegas Wash, Nevada, Seth A. Shanahan, Dave Silverman, Art Ehrenberg

Publications (WR)

Vegetation type, extent, continuity, and structure are some of the most important factors that determine wildlife diversity and distribution. Other contributing factors that shape wildlife communities include disturbance, competition, climate, and water availability. Because vegetation communities in the southwestern U.S. gradate sharply along zones of soil moisture, wildlife are often restricted to specific vegetation types. Along the Las Vegas Wash (Wash), Nevada, more than 250 wildlife species have been documented to occur in distinct wetland, riparian, and upland vegetation types. Recent studies have investigated the diversity and distribution of amphibians, birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles (Shanahan 2005, 2005a, Van Dooremolen …

Energy Conservation Opportunities In The Hotel And Casino Sector, Eric Dominguez

UNLV Renewable Energy Symposium

This inaugural event is dedicated to showcasing the renewable/sustainable energy projects of UNLV faculty, staff, students, and collaborators, as well as other external projects underway statewide and nationally. The development and utilization of new technologies to protect the environment, achieve energy independence, and strengthen the economy will be explored. Speakers and poster-session presenters will provide further insight to many ongoing projects and innovative research ideas.

Organized by UNLV’s Office of Strategic Energy Programs, the event offers participants the opportunity to learn about energy projects and will encourage networking and collaboration. This symposium is intended for researchers, educators, students, policy makers, …

Take Pride In America In Southern Nevada: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending July 05, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Anti-littering Programs

• Don’t Trash Nevada website traffic remains strong despite no separate marketing.

• Project Manager Douglas Joslin attended a by-invitation-only presentation for environmental groups on May 17, 2007 to discuss marketing opportunities with BTDT Enterprises, Inc.

• Mr. Joslin is working with the Clark County School District on elementary educational programs.

• The Anti-Litter Team has started work on a GIS database for littering and dumping data with the GIS Team. The two Teams met twice this quarter to discuss strategy.

• Republic Services’ sponsored Don’t Trash Nevada advertisements, which have begun to run in local newspapers.

• More than …

Cooperative Conservation: Increasing Capacity Through Community Partnerships Interagency Volunteer Program: Final Project Report, May 31 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Get Outdoors Nevada

• Was recognized with two consecutive National Take Pride in America Awards (2005 and 2006) in the Federal Program category.
• Created a central clearinghouse created for Southern Nevada public lands volunteers, including:─ an online volunteer data‐management application (Volgistics) adopted and customized for the program and populated with 2,866 active and 974 prospective volunteer records ─ a community outreach Web site that currently averages 57,930 hits per month and has aided in the recruitment of 1,211 volunteers ─ branding development and marketing and outreach tool creation
• Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all areas of Interagency Volunteer Program Management—recruitment, training, recognition, retention …

Presentation To Senior Leadership The Center For Academic Enrichment And Outreach, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (PLI)

• Strengthen the national fabric in support of public lands.
• Provide people of all ages with opportunities to participate in the enjoyment, protection, and responsible use of our public lands.
• Engage and inspire people to actively participate in the enjoyment, protection and responsible use of our public lands.
• Create high-quality, relevant, up-to-date knowledge to solve problems and make effective decisions about public lands.

Take Pride In America In Southern Nevada: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending April 05, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Anti-littering Programs

• Don’t Trash Nevada website traffic increased by 144% over the previous quarter.

• Project Manager Douglas Joslin made a presentation about the Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada program to the Executive Committee on February 7, 2007.

• 20 Don’t Trash Nevada advertisements ran during February and March.

• A billboard has been in place on US95 and Russell Road throughout this quarter.

• Don’t Trash Nevada purchased radio spots on Metro Networks in February and March.

• 137 people have taken the on-line anti-litter and dumping pledge.

• The anti-litter team received a $10,000 dollar donation from …

Colorado College State Of The Rockies Report Card, Walter E. Hecox, Matthew K. Reuer, Christopher B. Jackson

Publications (SD)

No abstract provided.

Cooperative Conservation: Increasing Capacity Through Community Partnerships -- Interagency Volunteer Program: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending March 31, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Get Outdoors Nevada

• Volunteer database increased 10 percent over last quarter to contain 3,243 records.
• Website activity increased, recording an average of 57,930 hits per month, with an average of 5,839 pages viewed per month (17 percent increase in pages viewed).
• Volunteer orientation program delivered to 30 active volunteers.
• Volunteer survey related to communication, training, and recognition complete.
• Volunteer spring training scheduled, developed, and publicized.
• Volunteers contributed 1,400 hours in the Great American Cleanup.
• National volunteer week recognition plan developed.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Vegetation Monitoring And Analysis: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending March 31, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Vegetation Monitoring

Executive Summary

• Weed Sentry staff surveyed for exotic species on 208 miles of roads on NPS land and on 61 miles of BLM land. Due to sparse precipitation this winter, exotic species are much less abundant this year compared to last year at this time.
• Other exotic species projects initiated this quarter included an assessment of invasion patterns below native shrubs for early detection of potential invasion “hotspots,” and a community invasibility experiment established near the NPS nursery with substantial involvement from NPS ATR Ms. Alice Newton.
• A manuscript detailing several experiments with the invasive species Sahara mustard was submitted …

Learning Science At The Lake: A Successful Partnership Between Formal And Informal Educators, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (DM)

Emphasis on cooperative conservation through:

• Education
• Research
• Community Engagement