Park Efforts Continue

Recently, Wetlands Park trails and trailheads have experienced higher visitation than ever before. Since the shutdown this spring, many new visitors have discovered the Park. While park programs are currently suspended, staff, maintenance crews, and project partners have been hard at work on park improvements.

Crews removed ten dumpsters of trash and debris downstream of Big Weir Bridge – an amount equivalent to 190,000 beach balls. Two hundred willow, ash, cottonwood, and native shrubs were planted in the recent burn area in the Nature Preserve. Invasive weeds, like tamarisk and common reed, were treated. Fuel reduction projects have included the creation of firebreaks and removal of diseased trees and brush. Temporary signs have been put in place with permanent ones on the way. 

We are now working on creating virtual programming and ways to stay safely connected with Park visitors and our community. During this uncertain time, we hope you enjoy the park safely. Park trails are open dawn to dusk every day. We invite you to visit us on social media and share your photos with us.

Wetlands Park Friends (Friends) is a new, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization designed to support Clark County Wetlands Park and its programs with supplemental efforts and funding. Friends will expand the community currently gathered around the Park with affordable memberships and programs. It seeks donors to help fund Park initiatives and infrastructure.

According to Chris Leavitt, Board President, "Wetlands Park Friends’ mission is to support this magical place of water and wildlife for years to come. The Park, which opened in 1999, is still young and much remains to be done. We encourage Park lovers to join Friends."

Wetlands Park is quickly becoming a destination for locals and tourists alike. Last year, more than 274,000 visitors enjoyed the Park as a destination for educational programs and recreational opportunities. Current Friends initiatives include projects such as funding bus transportation for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to participate in curriculum-enhanced programs, traveling exhibits, guest lecturers, and scholarships for unique Park programs and events for children.

Leavitt noted that it takes a community and lots of energy to manage a wild place and help it recover, grow, and thrive. "The Park's first twenty years have been amazing: we can't wait to see what the next twenty will bring!"

For more information, please visit: wetlandsparkfriends.org or call 702-806-6852.

Walking is good for one's physical and mental health, and a walk in nature is even better! Wetlands Walkers, a group of health and nature-oriented individuals, track their miles whenever they walk Park trails and earn rewards at various milestones. As a group, their mileage is tallied to reach a yearly goal matching the migration distance of one of the Park's visiting species. In 2020 the Walkers are recognizing the Painted Lady Butterfly and have a collective goal of trekking 3,500 miles. To date, the Walkers have traveled 1,664 miles. Although this program was suspended for much of the spring, Wetlands Walkers have resumed their collective migration. Will we get to 3,500 miles?

To learn more about the Wetlands Walkers program and the Painted Lady Butterfly, please visit our website. On our website you will also find 'Fun Facts' about the Painted Lady.

Anna’s Hummingbirds make quite an impact, with thrilling courtship displays, iridescent green feathers, sparkling rose-pink throats and noisy chatter. They zip from flower to flower in search of insects and nectar. All this from a bird about the size of a ping-pong ball who weighs less than a nickel!

In the early 20th century, Anna’s Hummingbirds were found only in Baja California and southern California. With the widespread planting of non-native, exotic ornamental plants, and the use of bird feeders, the range of Anna’s Hummingbirds has increased. They are currently the most common hummingbird all along the Pacific coast. They have even been spotted well outside their range in places as far away as southern Alaska, Florida and Louisiana.

Anna’s Hummingbirds are easy to attract to a backyard feeder by mixing your own hummingbird food using one-part sugar to four parts water. Don't use honey or food coloring and be sure to keep the feeder clean. Anna’s Hummingbirds tend to stay in their own territory, so don’t be surprised if they stay around and visit your feeder all year long.