The Spring Mountains ECHO

VOLUNTARISM: HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

By Jack Borden SMA Volunteer Coordinator of Coordinated Volunteers

With the winter season approaching, the Spring Mountains Association, in cooperation with the Las Vegas Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service, is again furnishing volunteers to staff the Visitor's Center in Kyle Canyon, Mt. Charleston. This provides the SMA with an opportunity to supply valuable information to the public by distributing literature 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, and etc.

We ask that the volunteers begin their shift around 10:00 A.M., and remain on the premises until around 4:00 P.M., but only if they are feeling comfortable, the weather is conducive to their being there, and the volume of business conducted with the public warrants their remaining until that late in the day. 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 per month as a Visitor's Center volunteer. 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.