This Is Nevada...

An ancient cottonwood in the Citizen Proposed Wovoka Wilderness Area (photo by Brian Beffort)

Where the Wild Places Are: A Trio from Spirit Mountain Wilderness

Designated in 2002, the Spirit Mountain Wilderness encompasses over 33,000 acres in the Newberry Mountains and boasts the northernmost populations of smoke trees in the state (photo by Brian Beffort)

Spirit Mountain is sacred to the Mojave and Yuman tribes and has been designated a Traditional Cultural Property (photo by Brian Beffort)

The desert tortoise finds critical habitat here, and other sensitive species include the California leaf-nosed bat, banded Gila monster, Townsend's big-eared bat, and Yuma myotis (photo by Brian Beffort)

Soldier Meadows Cabin - Repaired and Ready for the Public

A solitary, scenic spot for photographers, hunters, hikers, and wilderness warriors, the Soldier Meadows cabin is first-come public use. Located in the heart of the Black Rock National Conservation Area, the primitive cabin - there is no electricity or plumbing - comfortably sleeps five, and is open year-round. The area offers access to multiple designated wilderness areas, including the North Black Rock Range Wilderness, High Rock Lake Wilderness, and East Fork High Rock Canyon Wilderness.

The historic cabin is open to all responsible users, from hot springs afficionados to chucker hunters (photo by Phil Akins)

Contractors donated their skills to assist with structural repairs, including the roof. Over three weekends, the storage area was enclosed, two new windows were put in, a gravel floor was laid, and obscene graffiti was painted over (photo by Pat Bruce)

Ladders and tool belts decorate the cabin at lunch (photo by Pat Bruce)

Installed in January, the wood stove will keep visitors toasty! Recommended fire wood size is less than 24 inches long and no more than 4 inches wide (photo by Phil Akins)

Zach Million of the Winnemucca BLM lends a helping hand by installing new shingles (photo by Pat Bruce)

UNR student Seth Barton takes a break from working on the chimney (photo by Pat Bruce) Project Leader Pat Bruce and a couple volunteers smile after a long day of work!

Where the Wild Places Are: A Trio from Wovoka Citizen Proposed Wilderness

Native grasses decorate a high-dry playa (picture by Brian Beffort)

A historic structure from the old town of Pine Grove. Wilderness designation would not affect this historic site or public access to it, and would preserve the natural, wild conditions of this district as a living-museum. (picture by Brian Beffort)

Willows and cottonwoods decorate the banks of the East Walker River (picture by Brian Beffort)

This Is Nevada...

A still day at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (picture by Kurt Kuznicki)

Where the Wild Places Are: Muddy Mountains Wilderness Trio

Just an hour north of Las Vegas lays the Muddy Mountain Wilderness, an area of outrageous geology and colorful Mojave Desert habitat (picture by Kurt Kuznicki)

About 300 million years ago, this area was sediment at the bottom of the sea; today, the area boasts limestone peaks that jut over 5,000 feet into the sky (picture by Kurt Kuznicki)

Fossilized sand dunes have eroded into intricately carved peaks and valleys painted in shades of red, orange, and yellow (picture by Kurt Kuznicki)

Start the Year Off Green by Repurposing Your Old Calendar!

Make cards and envelopes, turning each picture-of-the-month into an envelope and then matting the index images and affixing them to the front of blank greeting cards.

What You Need:

An out-of-date calendar

Colorful paper cut into 3x4 rectangles

Card stock (8.5x11 can be cut into half sheets)

Paper cutter or scissors

Double-sided tape or rubber cement

Optional: Envelope, carefully taken apart, to use as template

Cards

1. Using a papercutter or scissors, cut out each of the index images, leaving a white border around each.

2. With rubber cement, or double-sided tape, fix one of the index images onto a complimentary color square. Then affix the colored square to the greeting card.

Envelopes

1. Trim off the white edges of the picture-of-the-month.

2. Using the calendar grid on the back as a guide, cut a one-by-four rectangle out of each side. You can also take apart a greeting card envelope from the store - approximately 6x5 - and use that as a template.

3. Fold over flaps. DO NOT GLUE OR TAPE.

4. If desired, cut a notch, triangle, or other design under envelope flap.

5. Fold over and seal sides.