September 06, 2006

The Public Lands Institute (PLI) joined with dozens of local artists, educational programs, and agencies to celebrate the unofficial end of summer at the Harvest Fest on September 3, 2006. Hundreds of residents from the Las Vegas Valley and visitors from throughout the United States and Canada attended the annual event at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area’s Visitor Center.

PLI promoted the Get Outdoors Nevada program at its booth by signing up volunteers for upcoming clean-up and trail restoration projects in Southern Nevada. In particular, visitors to the booth were informed of the events planned for National Public Lands Day September 23, 2006 at Red Rock Canyon and September 30 at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Each of the more than 60 individuals who signed up received a free water bottle lanyard, while each child visiting the booth received a free PLI eraser and a desert animals/plants coloring sheet designed by local artist Sharon K Schafer. It was also a chance to visit one-on-one with local school teachers about outdoor education opportunities provided by the institute and the federal land management agencies. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Harvest Fest was organized by BLM, the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association, and Friends of Red Rock Canyon.