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.
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| An American Avocet T-Shirt |
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| Hawk |
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| Burrowing Owls and Barn Owls |
Kids of all ages didn’t need much encouragement to join in,
and the enthusiasm was contagious.
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| Contemplating a White-crowned Sparrow |
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| Complex Plumage |
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| 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.
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| Barn Owl T-Shirt |
