By Pauline van Betten, Blue Diamond ▪
At the break of dawn, just as the sun peaks over the horizon, Red Rock Canyon is at its quietest. The cyclists haven’t started their rides, the birds aren’t quite awake, and the rush of cars filled with hikers and climbers have yet to hit the road. In this peaceful moment, the red, orange and yellow hues that frame Mount Wilson glow, as if painted by God in that very moment. As I breathe in the crisp desert air, I am reminded why we started Save Red Rock 20 years ago.
Over the past two decades, Save Red Rock has worked with politicians, scientists, environmentalists, and community members to preserve and conserve Red Rock Canyon. We have had many successes, but we believe our biggest is on the horizon — the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act.
This bipartisan legislation, championed by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., includes a 50,000-acre expansion of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Save Red Rock fought hard for this expansion, and we are so grateful that our representatives listened. The expansion will protect precious desert flora and fauna, as well as provide sustainable recreation opportunities for bikers, hikers, horseback riders and climbers.
We are proud to support this expansion and hope you will join us in our call for support.
The writer is executive director of Save Red Rock, a nonprofit organization.
