Save Lovell Canyon

Media Coverage

The Brett Torino Foundation launched the “Save Lovell Canyon” initiative in 2017. In the years prior to the environmental effort, off-road vehicles, guns and explosives had caused great damage to the terrain and drove away the hikers, runners, cyclists, campers, and horseback riders. Trees were being used as shooting targets, and the land became polluted with toxic bullet casings and trash. The littering and destruction had also led to several man-made fires that ravaged the area.

In an effort to improve the safety and habitat of this scenic gem, Torino brought together a task force of influential partners such as the Forest Service, BLM, Clark County Commission, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Sierra Club, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Save Red Rock, Get Outdoors Nevada, and many others to come up with a plan to curb rampant dumping, off-roading and illegal shooting which had badly damaged the area.

The Torino Foundation paid for and organized a series of cleanup events, removed grafitti, and purchased new road signs to replace the bullet riddled, grafitti marked /laden signs which evoked/signaled/perpetuated further violations/crimes to the canyon. The multi-faceted campaign transformed Lovell Canyon from a crime ridden, neglected, toxic dump site to a thriving lush oasis which is enjoyed by hikers, bikers, and families camping in the majestic and cooler high elevations of Lovell Canyon. Eventually, and in their most significant win of the campaign, they obtained legislation to ban target shooting in Lovell Canyon. Las Vegas Metro Police task force members increased patrolling and ticketing in the area for those who were illegally shooting, dumping and riding ATVs in the Toiyabe National Forest land which makes up Lovell Canyon.