Take ACTION for Nevada's Wild Places - Support Proposed Wovoka Wilderness!

Support the Proposed Wovoka Wilderness and the bi-partisan effort that led to its re-introduction: sign this letter of support - http://weblink.donorperfect.com/wovoka2013

World-class fly-fishing and bonding ground along the Walker River
in the Proposed Wovoka Wilderness by Kurt Kuznicki

 

Dear Senators Reid and Heller,

Native grass on Wovoka's high playas by Brian Beffort

 

Thank you so much for jointly re-introducing the Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2012 which will protect the beautiful Wovoka area in Lyon County as Wilderness. As you know, Wovoka has invaluable prehistoric cultural and natural resources that are worthy of protection so future generations can continue enjoying them. I know you have both worked hard on this bill already, and hope you will do everything you can to see this bill passed for Nevadans and for future generations.

Rugged Nevada landscapes in Wovoka by Kurt Kuznicki

Thank you Senator Reid, for your leadership working for a balanced bill that will provide jobs for the County while also protecting an incredible corner of Nevada. Thank you Senator Heller for working collaboratively during lame duck and this new session to move this forward.

Reflecting and refreshing in the Proposed Wovoka Wilderness by Brian Beffort

 

Thank you both again for your work to move forward with this balanced bill!

 

Magic Light in Wovoka by Kirk Peterson

Sincerely,

YOU!!

 

Take ACTION for Nevada's Wild Places - Proposed Wovoka Wilderness!

Crossing our fingers for Wovoka Wilderness - the bill was reintroduced on January 28, 2013!

Guess what? YOU can help make it happen! Show your support by digitally signing this letter: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/wovoka2013

Just one facet of the jewel that is the
Proposed Wovoka Wilderness, capture by Kirk Peterson.

Dear Senators Reid and Heller,

Thank you so much for jointly re-introducing the Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2012 which will protect the beautiful Wovoka area in Lyon County as Wilderness. As you know, Wovoka has invaluable prehistoric cultural and natural resources that are worthy of protection so future generations can continue enjoying them. I know you have both worked hard on this bill already, and hope you will do everything you can to see this bill passed for Nevadans and for future generations. 

Thank you Senator Reid, for your leadership working for a balanced bill that will provide jobs for the County while also protecting an incredible corner of Nevada. Thank you Senator Heller for working collaboratively during lame duck and this new session to move this forward.

Thank you both again for your work to move forward with this balanced bill!

Sincerely,

 

YOU!!

This Is Nevada...

Winter light on the rugged Pinto Valley Wilderness in the
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, located in southern Nevada '
and managed by the National Park Service (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

Where the Wild Places Are: Duo of Winter Flowers

Photos by Kurt Kuznicki

Celebrating National Trails Day in Mt. Rose!

Our volunteers and supporters love wilderness,
and they love building igloos! (photo by Brian Beffort)

Friends in the News: Wowwed by Wovoka

Volunteer Levi enjoys the rush of the river and the sun on his skin
in the proposed Wovoka Wilderness.

Shaaron Netherton, fearless leader/Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, spoke about the Wovoka Wilderness bill in Lyon County with the Nevada Appeal and Associated Press.

 

               “I think it's a good faith effort on the part of everyone. Everybody

               gave a little bit and that's how we get things done in Nevada. It

               was a good bipartisan effort.”

The bill will be re-introduced for the new Congress, along with the Pine Forest Recreation Enhancement Act, later this quarter. You can read the full article here: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20121230/NEWS/121229825/1070&ParentProfile=1058

This Is Nevada...

Falling water in Black Canyon (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

Black Canyon Tamarisk Pull

The southern Nevada team and four volunteers headed out via canoe
to Black Canyon along the Colorado River to pull invasive Tamarisk.

Safety vests on and paddles ready!

Pulling that pesky Tamarisk!

Triumph!

And the long paddle back home...

Friends in the News: Collecting Seeds in Water Canyon

The Silver Pinyon Journal covered our volunteers' effort to repair and re-naturalize Water Canyon, a popular recreation site for the folks of Winnemucca. Check out the details and pictures here: http://adm.myspj.com/features/56-miscellaneous/2797-volunteers-harvest-seed-in-water-canyon-

2012 Wingding Awardees

All photos courtesy of Henry Egghart

Volunteers of the Year - Mike Thorson and Dorothy Hudig

2012 Youth Steward - Levi Smyth

Corporate Sponsor of the Year - GSI Outdoors

Wilderness Legacy Award - Marge Sill, Mother of Nevada Wilderness

A few of the lovely Blue Helmet awardees

Organization Partner of the Year - Great Basin Institute

Agency Partner of the Year - Southern Nevada Agency Partnership, accepted by Director Kate Hanson

Agency Team Player - Sandi Gracia of the Winnemucca BLM, accepted by Kristine Struck

This Is Nevada...

Red mountains of the Lake Mead north shore (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

This Is Nevada...

Serenity and Solitude: A moment along the East Walker River in the
proposed Wovoka Wilderness (photo by Brian Beffort)

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!

Working in the Wild: Replanting in a Fire Damaged Area in the Santa Rosas

Planting bitterbrush starts in the Santa Rosa Range in northern Nevada. The team worked
in Hanson Creek, where the Hanson wildfire burned in August 2012.

Project co-lead Wes Hoskins directs volunteers on proper technique.

While Wes' fiancee Alli takes in the beautiful scenery!

Co-leader Brenna Archibald gets a chance to get out
of the classroom and get dirty for the weekend!

The team takes a moment to smile before work begins!

All photos by Renee Aldrich

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

Are you ready for the Wingding? Wednesday, Dec. 5!

This Is Nevada...

Light and shadows on the Grapevine Moutains in the Death Valley
National Park (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

Camp Cuisine: First Place Thai Chicken Curry

Dutch oven delights - always delicious! (photo by Kurt Kuznicki)

Here’s Brian’s prize-winning recipe for his Dutch oven Thai Chicken Curry - the first place entree at the National Public Lands Day 2012 Dutch Oven Round-Up!

Ingredients
2 shallots
1 stalk lemon grass
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1 cup chicken stock
1 inch of galangal (Thai ginger)
4 kaffir lime leaves
6 bird’s eye chilis, bruised (or more to taste)
4 boneless breasts of chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red pepper, chopped
1 cup green beans, chopped
1-2 tablespoons red curry paste (more to taste)
1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (more to taste)
1-2 tablespoons sour tamarind soup base (more to taste)
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 20-oz can of coconut milk
1 fresh lime
1 bunch Thai basil, chopped

1. Prep: Peel shallots and slice into thin rings. Thinly slice the lemongrass, from thin end until it starts to get thick and woody. Bruise the lime leaves and chilis. Cut the galangal into thin slices.

2. Heat the oil to medium heat in the Dutch oven, then add shallots and let them cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add lemongrass, lime leaves, chilis and galangal. Let them simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors out.

3. Then add the chicken stock and chicken pieces and let it all simmer for a few minutes. Then add coconut milk, curry paste, fish sauce and soup base. Cook all this at a low boil for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

4. Add the red peppers, green beans and Thai basil, cook for 5 more minutes. Adjust your flavors. Squeeze lime into it. Sprinkle the remaining Thai basil and serve over rice.


This recipe will serve 4 to 6.