Thank You, Congressman Horsford!

March 1, 2013

The Honorable Steven Horsford
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515


Dear Congressman Horsford:

We want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule this past week to take an aerial tour of Gold Butte, an area which deserves permanent federal protection as a National Conservation Area with wilderness. As you have seen, Gold Butte is a spectacular place, with yucca forests, slot canyons, ancient petroglyphs, and panoramic vistas that make it a natural treasure for southern Nevada and the nation.

The prospect of permanent protection is significant because it will do more than ensure that Gold Butte is preserved for future generations to enjoy, but it will also put Gold Butte on the map, creating outdoor recreation opportunities that will stimulate tourism, create jobs and enhance the economy of Mesquite and southern Nevada. As business owners, conservation leaders and responsible citizens, we think this is a win-win situation for all concerned.

Gold Butte is known as "Nevada’s Piece of the Grand Canyon," and we are excited to see renewed momentum to create the recognition it deserves.

Thank you again for your interest and for your encouragement. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help.

Sincerely,

Nancy Hall
Executive Director
Friends of Gold Butte
Mesquite, NV

Shaaron Netherton
Executive Director
Friends of Nevada Wilderness
Reno, NV

Jamie Williams
President
The Wilderness Society
Washington, DC

Nancy Gentis
President
Friends of Sloan Canyon
Las Vegas, NV

Lynn Davis
Nevada Director
Tule Springs Coalition
Las Vegas, NV

Brian Fadie
Executive Director
Progress Now Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

Bob Fulkerson
Executive Director
Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN)
Las Vegas, NV

Rosemary Geary
State President
Nevada League of Women Voters
Mesquite, NV

Scot Rutledge
Executive Director
Nevada Conservation League
Las Vegas, NV

Jane Feldman
Executive Director
Sierra Club of Nevada
Reno, NV

Tom Warden
Senior Vice President of Community and Government Relations
The Howard Hughes Corporation
Las Vegas, Nevada

Karl Gustaveson
Mesquite City Council
Mesquite, NV

Richard Bryan
Former U.S. Senator
Las Vegas, NV

Aaron Ford
Chair of Natural Resources Committee
Nevada State Senate
Las Vegas, NV

Skip Daly
Chair of Natural Resources Committee
Nevada State Assembly
Reno, NV

David Bobzien
Member
Nevada State Assembly
Las Vegas, NV

Virginia Valentine
Executive Director
Nevada Resort Association
Las Vegas, NV

Sig Rogich
Owner
Rogich Communications Group
Las Vegas, NV

Danny Thompson
Executive Secretary Treasurer
AFL-CIO of Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

Jared Fisher
Owner
Escape Adventures
Las Vegas, NV

Heather Fisher
Founder
Save Red Rock
Las Vegas, NV

Jenna Morton
Co-Owner
Morton Group
Las Vegas, NV 3

Terri Rylander
Owner
Advanced Marketing Collateral
Mesquite, NV

Mauricia Baca
Executive Director
Outside Las Vegas Foundation
Las Vegas, NV

John Williams
City Council Candidate
Mesquite, NV

Cindi Delaney
Owner
Mesquixote Communications
Mesquite, NV

Bill & Elaine Hurd
Owners
Hurd Works LLC
Mesquite, NV

Mark McGinty
Partner
SH Architecture
Las Vegas, NV

Dennis Stein
Principal
Dennis Stein and Associates
Las Vegas, NV

Bill Marion
Principal
Purdue Marion & Associates
Las Vegas, NV

Doug Geinzer
CEO
Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition
Las Vegas, NV

Adele Newberry
Manager
Connaghan Newberry Law Firm
Las Vegas, NV

Otto Merida
President
Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce
Las Vegas, NV

Norberto Madrigal
Owner
Lunas Companies
Las Vegas, NV

Alberto Ochoa
Owner
Smart Buy Insurance
Las Vegas, NV

Daisy Reyes
Owner
Esmeralda's Café
Las Vegas, NV

Jonathan Spears
Owner
Sage Designs
Las Vegas, NV

Geoff Rhodes
Owner
R&D Events
Las Vegas, NV

Jim Boone
Owner
Desert Wildlife Consultants, LLC
Las Vegas, NV

Michael Dandridge
Owner
HRisFUN
Las Vegas, NV

Maria Marinch
Owner
Language Sources
Henderson, NV

Raul Gil
Owner
Casa Don Juan Restaurant
Las Vegas, NV

Abraham Camejo
Owner
Noabrisa Cleaning Service
Las Vegas, NV

Vicenta Montoya
Owner
Vicenta Montoya Immigration Law
Las Vegas, NV

Sergio Perez
Owner
Florida Cafe Cuban Bar and Grill
Las Vegas, NV

Orfelina Roa
Owner
Obsession Beauty Salon
Las Vegas, NV

Lydia Ball
Executive Director
Clean Energy Project
Las Vegas, NV

Sasha Ilic
Key Holder
LUSH
Las Vegas, NV

CC: Senator Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader

Gold Butte Update with Protect Nevada!

We’re delighted to provide you, our supporters, with some exciting updates on what we’ve been doing over the last couple of months to help make protection for Gold Butte a reality.

Congressman Steven Horsford smiles for the camera before his helicoptor
flight over Gold Butte (photo courtesy of Congressman Horsford's Facebook page)

February was a busy and exciting time as Congressmen Steven Horsford (NV-4) viewed Gold Butte from a bird’s eye view. The Congressman took part in a helicopter flyover of the amazing landscape and said he looks forward to working with us to add further protection for Gold Butte, even tweeting during the flight, “Thank you for the tour! Look forward to working with you to preserve and protect Gold Butte.” You can view several wonderful photos from the flyover taken by the Congressman’s staff on the “Protect Nevada” facebook page.

Mesquite Off-Road Days course - bringing together people who enjoy
responsible recreation! (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

On February 23-24, the first ever Mesquite Off-Road Weekend event drew adrenaline dare devils and leisurely riders alike to the area to enjoy the beauty of Nevada’s outdoors, including our own piece of the Grand Canyon, Gold Butte. The event included rides, races, and performances, all showing off the amazing landscapes that are found here. Staff and volunteers from Friends of Gold Butte and Friends of Nevada Wilderness had a booth at the event to educate attendees about how efforts to protect Gold Butte would keep open current routes designated for vehicle and other access. We would like to thank and congratulate the primary event sponsor, the Eureka Resort and Casino, for producing what we hope will become an annual event.

In addition, last month the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) released some noteworthy statistics highlighting the financial impact that outdoor recreation has on local economies, furthering the case for protecting public lands like Gold Butte. According to OIA’s report, outdoor recreation in Nevada produces $14.9 billion in revenue annually and is responsible for 148,000 jobs that cater to and equip out-of-state visitors and residents alike. This results in $1.0 billion in state and local tax revenue. The report shows that, even in the midst of the worst economic recession in more than 70 years, outdoor recreation as a significant Nevada industry has continued to prosper, and the results have many Nevada business leaders talking about how we can expand those opportunities.

Gold Butte Days Festival includes races and
community vendors (photo courtesy of the Mesquite Local News)

Mark your calendars! Gold Butte Days is around the corner. This year’s event will take place October 18-19. “Gold Butte Days” will involve local businesses and organizations that wish to participate in a street fair, outdoor activities and entertainment events to publicize Mesquite’s proximity to one of the most beautiful corners of the American Southwest.
We hope you’ll join our collaborative efforts with other local organizations and businesses as we continue protecting the beautiful wonders of Nevada. “Like” and follow “Protect Nevada” on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed and join the discussion.

This Is Nevada...

Showin' some Gold Butte love! (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

Lush Charity Pot Stewardship Project in Gold Butte

Lush Cosmetics brought ten customers from around North America out to work in Gold Butte (after enjoying a day of pampering in their Mandalay Bay store!). The team worked along the Falling Man Trail, and hiked up to see some of the famous Gold Butte petroglyphs.

Enjoying the fresh Nevada air!

Posin' with petroglyphs

Smile!

The whole team celebrates their work in Gold Butte!

The volunteers planted 100 natives along the Falling Man Trail.

Getting a little dirty...

...and very happy!

Your host, the man of the hour, the one and only KURT KUZNICKI!!!!

Do you tortoise Gold Butte? We sure do!!

Gloves protect hands that received lovely Lush treatments the day before!

Getting in tune with the ancient song that is Gold Butte!

This Is Nevada...

Afternoon moon in Gold Butte (by Kurt Kuznicki)

Where the Wild Places Are: Falling in Love with Gold Butte in Autumn

 

 

All photos by Kurt Kuznicki

National Public Lands Day, Gold Butte-Style!

Over 40 volunteers joined Friends of Nevada Wilderness to
celebrate National Public Lands Day in Gold Butte!

The Lush Cosmetics team joined in the fun!

ATV riders monitored backcountry routes for illegal trespass,

Backcountry Horsemen's Bristlecone Chapter provided water to thirsty volunteers!

Time for some teamwork!

Wonder Woman!!

Carol Reott-Hotchkiss from the Forest Service keeps volunteers hydrated and happy.

Giving signs a wash and a fresh coat of paint!

Ready for re-seeding!

All photos courtesy of Kurt Kuznicki.

Enjoying A Lush Cosmetics Day!

Our Student Conservation Association intern Jesy plays with bubble bars during our
Charity Pot Party last Saturday at the Lush Cosmetics Store in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas!
Lush Cosmetics and Friends of Nevada Wilderness - teaming up to protect Gold Butte!
(photo by Katie Sanchez)

Event: Charity Pot Party with LUSH Cosmetics at Mandalay Bay

(photo courtesy of LUSH Cosmetics - Mandalay Bay Facebook page)

Join us today from noon to five to celebrate our partnership with LUSH Cosmetics in Mandalay Bay Resort - we'll be there letting you know how YOU can help get Gold Butte the protection it needs and deserves.

Charity Pot Party!

LUSH Cosmetics Store - Mandalay Bay Resort (Las Vegas)

Saturday, September 22 from 12-5 pm

This Is Nevada...

A snowy morning in Gold Butte (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

Wednesdays Get Wild!

Join us Wednesday, May 16 at 5 pm at Silver Peak on Wonder St. for brews, burgers, and wild talk! We're teaming up with the Nevada Wilderness Project once a month to host a Wild Wednesday for members and supporters to stop by, say hi, and learn about volunteer opportunities and the latest wild Nevada campaign news.

Magic Light Over Gold Butte by Kurt Kuznicki

This month, we'll be signing a thank you card to the Mesquite City Council for voting to maintain their support for the proposed Gold Butte National Conservation Area. Join us tonight to find out more about Gold Butte, and why the area and its inhabitants needs protection!

This Is Nevada...

Newspaper Rock (photo by Brian Beffort)

Nevada's Big Give - A Stunning Success!!

With our Golden Ticket, we raised over $5,000 in one day!!!!

This Is Nevada...

Lime Canyon Wilderness blooms in spring (photograph by Kurt Kuznicki)

This Is Nevada...

The sands of South Bitter Ridge in the proposed Gold Butte National Conservation Area
(photograph by Kurt Kuznicki)

This Is Nevada...

Our 2012 Calendar Cover Girl, Gold Butte (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

SCA Interns Learn to Leave No Trace in Gold Butte

Having a little fun while learning to Leave No Trace (photograph by Kurt Kuznicki)

The crew's camp (Kurt Kuznicki)

Happy hikers (Kurt Kuznicki)

Taking a study break (Kurt Kuznicki)

Decoding the Petroglyphs (Kurt Kuznicki)

Holding up the Leave No Trace standards! (Kurt Kuznicki)

National Public Lands Day Round-Up

The 17th annual National Public Lands Day brought out volunteers across the state to restore, conserve, and protect Nevada’s public lands. Over 75 people from FNW, Friends of Black Rock High Rock, Nevada Outdoor School, and Mountain View Montessori School attended a two-night camping excursion to the Black Rock Desert to build buck and rail fences and remove debris. While the weather was hot in the Black Rock Desert, the 25 volunteers from FNW and Friends of Gold Butte in southern Nevada faced temperatures over 100 degrees! Meanwhile, Forest Project Coordinator Wes Hoskins led a trip to Alta Toquima to log downed trees and perform general trail maintenance on the Pasco Canyon Trail.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness celebrated National Public Lands Day by…

Encircling two sensitive dune habitats with natural underground springs that were being destroyed by irresponsible off-highway vehicles (photo by Graham Stafford)…

Clearing the debris (an entire dumpsterful!) off public lands from a former living encampment (photo by Brian Beffort)…

Putting up over 175 posts and putting in 80 native plants in Gold Butte (photo by Andy Sanchez)…

Logging out 217 downed trees and creating a 500-foot re-route along a trail in Alta Toquima (photo by John Fiske)…

Kurt Kuznicki from Friends of Nevada Wilderness and President of Friends of Gold Butte Nancy Hall (photo by Andy Sanchez)

…and we worked with over half a dozen organizations including Friends of Gold Butte, Friends of Black Rock High Rock, Nevada Outdoor School and Mountain View Montessori School!

A big thank you to all our volunteers, the wonderful nonprofits we worked with, and the government agencies that assisted us – we made a fantastic contribution to Nevada’s public lands.

More Events for National Public Lands Day

In addition to the Sept. 17-19 trip to Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada and the Sept. 25 trip to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, there are two other conservation and restoration events happening.

The Joshua Trees of Gold Butte (photo by Brian Beffort)

National Public Lands Day with Friends of Gold Butte
Another option to give back to the Nevada Wilderness on National Public Lands Day! Friends of Gold Butte will be leading a day trip to Whitney Pockets in Gold Butte. Volunteers will be working on restoration, planting vegetation, and cleaning up the area. You can sign up at friendsofgoldbutte@gmail.com or call Nancy Hall at (702) 346-3723 for more information.

Alta Toquima trail maintenance trip in July 2010 (photo by John Fiske)

Alta Toquima Trail Maintenance for National Public Lands Day
A four-day, three-night trip to the Alta Toquima Wilderness. Volunteers will be brushing out trail tread and logging downed trees to maintain the Pasco Canyon to Pine Creek Connector Trail to ensure hikers and backpackers have a safe, designated route through the protected area. Interested? Contact Wes at wes@nevadawilderness.org or (775) 324-7667 for more information.