The Spring Mountains ECHO

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY AND ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By Barbara Washington

Your SMA celebrated Make A Difference Day, October 25, in Kyle and Lee Canyon, gathering seeds for the Nevada Division of Forestry seed bank. We are all keenly aware of the possibility of forest fire in these two most heavily visited and populated canyons on Mt. Charleston. The foresters tell us that revegetation efforts are most effective when seeds gathered specifically from the area are used. Although, no serious fires have occurred in recent times in the two canyons, revegetation programs are held annually in campgrounds and reclaimed areas. The Nevada Division of Forestry requested that we gather Gambel's Oak acorns, Woods Rose hips and currant berries. At 10 a.m. we joined Tim Short and Elaine Jones, from the local Forest Service office, at the Mt. Charleston library for a preliminary meeting. Four participants headed to the Kyle Canyon Visitor's Center to look for acorns and two others traveled to Lee Canyon for currants and rose hips. We labeled each paper bag of seeds with the date, type of seed, and area of origin. At the end of the morning we had a nice supply for the future plantings. Other members joined the early birds for a potluck luncheon and the annual meeting.

The board of directors was elected by members present at the meeting. The 1997/1998 board then elected officers. Patricia Scaggs is the President; Pat Fitzgibbons, Vice-President; John O'Donnell, Secretary; and Barbara Washington, Treasurer. Other members elected to the Board of Directors are Fred Arth, Bobbye Fitzgibbons, Barb Henderson, Bob Maichle, Mark Vranesh, and Charles Washington. All members are welcome to join the board in planning activities!