Monday, April 24, 2017



Notes From the Field with Len Warren

Earth Day at Discovery Park
Pahrump, NV April 22 




As we strive to find ways to engage people and nature, there are constant reminders that we are nature. Earth Day reminds us that magic moments with nature can occur in surprising ways. On Saturday April 22, The Nature Conservancy participated in the Earth Day celebration at Discovery Park.








Discovery Park, formerly Willow Creek golf course, is being transformed into public park for walking, relaxing, and excellent birdwatching. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and butterfly gardens will continue to be planted for people, birds, and wildlife to share.













The Nature Conservancy’s table was a big hit with families who came out to enjoy a perfect warm spring day together.  TNC’s “make a nature T-shirt” table was busy all day long. Everyone enjoyed drawing and coloring a nature T-shirt to take home.









An American Avocet T-Shirt 












Hawk











Burrowing Owls and Barn Owls


















































































Kids of all ages didn’t need much encouragement to join in, and the enthusiasm was contagious.

Contemplating a White-crowned Sparrow
Complex Plumage











An abstract artist

































What better way to reach across the table than to spend a day like this together politely introducing people and nature to one another.   At Earth day at Discovery Park in Pahrump Nevada, people and nature were not such strangers after all.




















An unfortunate Barn Owl, a victim of a recent traffic fatality, and a special volunteer teaching permit, provided an amazing opportunity for kids to engage with each other. After realizing that they all know a lot more about Owls than they thought, kids learned much more about the intricacies of being an Owl. Throughout the day, kids who had already learned about Owls, taught other kids hands on.
Barn Owl T-Shirt










One T-shirt at a time, one family at a time, we try to make a difference.


















Tuesday, March 28, 2017

First everybody signed in!
                   Monarch Butterfly Volunteer Day

On Saturday March 25th, 33 volunteers from Beatty,Parhrump, Amargosa, and Birshop, Ca. arrived at The Nature Conservancy's Torrance Ranch in Beatty, Nevada.

 It was a sweet and gentle day. Old and young and  new friends learned about planting milkweeds and other pollinator attracting plants . We hoped to become a certified" Monarch Butterfly Waystation."

The Southern Nevada Milkweed project arrived with experienced team leaders and taught  us about  milkweeds and how to plant them and protect the plants.
Richard Cantino  is my great friend who never ever stops volunteering for nature. Richard is a hard working member of the Red Rock Audubon Society of Pahrump and Las Vegas.  Thank you to Red Rock Audubon Society. Richard and Carol Cantino will host  another Monarch Butterfly Volunteer Day at Discovery Park in Parhump Nevada on Saturday April 23rd. Details on Red Rock Audubon website.







It was great to have young volunteers from Parhump Nevada.Thank you Nye County Youth advisory Committee!

























Doyle Wayman teaches us about plants and roots.















Crissi & Jo working hard together....well Crissi is.


The parking lot was packed with volunteers!



Protected plants.


































Everyone enjoyed a nice big salad and an excellent grilled lunch afterwards.






Carol Cantino wants to go birding !














I'm proud of our new sign for Torrance Ranch!










Socializing with new friends at Torrance Ranch while Martin Swinehart, cooks lunch... thanks Martin!









Everyone cleaned up and we  left only milkweeds and memories of a nice day outside together.