The Spring Mountains ECHO

VOLUNTARISM: HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

By Jack Borden, SMA Volunteer Coordinator

During the winter season, the Spring Mountains Association is attempting to staff the Kyle Canyon Visitor's Center on the weekends. This provides the SMA with an opportunity to distribute valuable information to the public regarding management of the SMNRA by the Forest Service, regulations for public use of the SMNRA, precautions for fire prevention and personal wintertime safety, available winter camping areas and trails, snow-play locations, weather conditions, etc.

Volunteers usually begin their shift around 10:00 A.M., and remain until around 2:00 P.M., weather permitting. Volunteer training is available, and new volunteers are paired with experienced volunteers for as long as necessary.

Las Vegas is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States, and the impact upon our forests by residents and tourists is growing with it. You can lighten that impact by volunteering at least one day every other month as a Visitor's Center staffer. By contributing your time and efforts, you can make a mark upon our community by serving people and on our environment by caring for our land.

Particularly now, with a lack of state and federal funding, the NEED for volunteers is at its greatest.