Attitude of Gratitude
22 July 2021Save Red Rock worked with our Nevada Representatives to introduce a bill to expand Red Rock National Conservation Area by 50,000 acres! The Southern Nevada Conservation and Economic Development Act was recently heard in congress. This is a huge step forward in protecting Southern Nevada’s most iconic landscape. Leave a note of thanks below.
Additional Contact Information:
- Senator Cortez Masto, 702.388.5020
- Senator Rosen, 702.388.0205
- Rep. Titus, 702.220.9823
- Rep. Amodei, 755.686.5760
- Rep. Lee, 702.963.9336
- Rep. Horsford, 702.963.9360
Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act
Save Red Rock is proud to support The Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, championed by Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto and Congresswoman Dina Titus.
The act will protect critical wildlife habitat and cultural sites within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The NCA expansion portion of the legislation, which Save Red Rock worked with Senator Cortez-Masto to draft, will increase the RRCNCA by 50,000 acres. This expansion will allow for more sustainable outdoor recreation, including biking, hiking, horseback riding, and climbing, while decreasing pressures on the area by dispersing recreation.
This act also recommends redesignating over 1100 acres of public land on Blue Diamond Hill. The act removes the lands from “disposal properties,” which may be purchased by private parties for development. Instead, the lands will be added to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, expanding opportunities for recreation and conservation. Save Red Rock has been fighting for this redesignation since 2001 through public rallies and petitions.
The bill comes at a crucial time for the canyon. As southern Nevadans are confined to their homes due to COVID-19, the canyon has become a refuge. Between March and April 2020, public lands in Clark County saw a 400% increase in visitors. This bill will allow more people to enjoy the crown jewel of Southern Nevada while helping to mitigate the impact of increased visitations.
Additional Resources:
Save Red Rock Supports Conserve 30×30
The 30×30 campaign is a science-based initiative to conserve 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030. If we reach this target, we can help reduce destruction of our wildlife, waters, and natural lands.
The campaign calls upon local leaders to push legislation to meet conservation goals, support local conservation groups, and mitigate climate change impacts.
Save Red Rock has joined the call to action to push the 30×30 agenda forward. That is why we are proud to support SNEDCA.
We believe Senator Cortez Masto’s proposal directly aligns with conserve 30×30, because the expansion will relieve pressure on Red Rock, providing more sustainable recreation opportunities. Furthermore, by preserving this gorgeous corner of our desert landscape, we will be able to protect endangered species like the desert tortoise and Blue Diamond cholla.
Many of our prior campaigns have also aligned with the Conserve 30×30 agenda. In 2020, we engaged the public in an #AttitudeOfGratitude letter-writing campaign, where our supporters thanked the Nevada delegation for passing the Great American Outdoors Act.
The Great American Outdoors Act provides up to $1.9 billion a year for five years to provide maintenance for public lands. This bill provides approximately $4 million annually to conservation projects in Red Rock Canyon.
