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Clark County Wetlands Park
preserves and enhances natural and cultural resources and provides educational, recreational, and research opportunities for the public.
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Thank you for subscribing to Wetlands Park Footprints newsletter. Share with your friends and let us know what you think at wetlands@clarkcountynv.gov.
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Wetlands Park is proud to announce its first Artist in Residence program. Each year a different local artist will be chosen to immerse themselves in a dynamic wetlands ecosystem and create art inspired by the plants and animals they encounter. Artists will also provide the public with a rare firsthand glimpse of their creative process.
The artist chosen as the Wetlands Park 2022 Artist in Residence is Myranda Bair. She will be creating art on site at Wetlands Park from May 15-29. Drop by, during open studio hours, in the Lizard Lounge to see the artist at work!
Studio Hours:
Sunday, May 15 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday, May 18 from 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Sunday, May 22 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday, May 29 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Stop by the Lizard Lounge to see Myranda's work in progress and create your own free 5x7 collage creation on Sunday, May 29 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Materials available while supplies last.
Learn how to create dimension. Enroll in a creative mixed media workshop led by Myranda Bair utilizing watercolor, collage materials, pencil, and ink to create original artwork inspired by Wetlands Park. Materials provided, bring your own to add to your collage. Advanced registration required. Sunday, May 22 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm.
Check out Myranda's bio at art.ccwetlandspark.com.
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 New wayfinding and interpretive signage at Wetlands Park.
The new Nature Play Corner is near completion. Commissioner Gibson will host the dedication ceremony on June 10th from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. The one acre site was built to engage play in a natural environment. Themed play structures and interpretive signs will help connect families with nature and encourage discovery. In the Nature Preserve, 50 new signs including 20 wayfinding and 30 interpretive panels will help visitors navigate the Park and enhance their experience.
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 Artwork by Erika Muecke
In recognition of National Trails Day, Clark County Wetlands Park is hosting an art exhibit themed on all things hiking: wanderlust, conservation, companionship, and more. The show will be up in the Information Kiosk at the Nature Center from June 4 – July 9, with the opening reception taking place at 3pm on June 4.
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 2018 Discovery Day participants holding a Great Basin Gopher Snake.
Discover the many opportunities available for summer fun in the Las Vegas Valley. Explore booths from local agencies and businesses for things to do all summer long. Experience live animal encounters, play games throughout the Nature Center, and enjoy the cool air conditioning of the Exhibit Hall. It's family friendly and free, just drop in on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. For more information about Wetlands Park, visit www.ccwetlandspark.com.
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Interested in becoming a volunteer and joining our team? Want to know more about the program and how to join? We cordially invite you to our Volunteer Open House on Saturday, May 21st from 2 pm- 4 pm. We are putting out a public call for new volunteers! We need more volunteers in the areas of Information Host, Education Facilitation, and Program Aide. Now is the perfect time to sign up and receive training to be ready for the busy fall season.
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 Volunteer, Cats Sheely.
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Passionate volunteers are priceless. They are the heart and voice of Wetlands Park. Cats Sheely is one such volunteer. We were able to catch up with her to find out what it is that keeps her coming back year after year.
What is your background? I am a high school English teacher at East Career and Technical Academy, originally from Hawaii. My students are sometimes surprised that I am an English teacher rather than a science teacher since all my posters, charts, and maps are nature-based. I tell them that English is the way to talk about whatever you want. It’s how they can tell their stories and how I tell mine.
How long have you lived in the Las Vegas Valley? Since 2003, almost twenty years.
How long have you been volunteering at Wetlands Park? Since 2019, but I have been riding the trails since 2017 when I discovered them, quite by accident. I was on the River Mountain Loop Trail one day and went too far, when I discovered the Wetlands Park at Powerline Bridge, and just kept going. It was a long day traveling 30 miles, but I just had to see where the trail went.
How did you come to volunteer at the Wetlands? It was BioBlitz day in 2019, I was riding on the Loop/Monson Trail that day with my nieces and noticed a tent off in the Nature Preserve. We had to check it out, so we walked our bikes on the trail to see what was happening. When I told staff at the tent that I ride the Loop Trail all the time, it was suggested I join the Wetlands Park volunteers.
In what capacities have you been volunteering at the Park? I have been working primarily as a Wetlands Watcher. I report on trail conditions, vandalism, and graffiti. I count people and wildlife and have provided assistance to trail visitors who are injured or need directions.
Why do you like volunteering at Wetlands? I love this Park. I love how much it feels like it's “ours” as volunteers. I feel I have a vital role to play, too. If we don’t have volunteers, so much of what happens at Wetlands Park can’t take place. I love volunteering because I can be helpful and make a difference. It’s personally very fulfilling just being outside and seeing all the diversity of life. It's fantastic. Coming from Hawaii, I was surprised it was so lush.
What is your favorite spot in the Park? My favorite spot is Mile 3.5 on the Wetlands Loop Trail at a the top of the hill. From that vantage point you can see almost the entire Park, from the Nature Preserve to the Wash, and all around. It’s a great vista from one of the highest points in the Park.
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 Mockup of new sign at Pabco Weir.
The weirs on the Las Vegas Wash will receive signage identifying them by name and the year established, as well as listing water-related restrictions on the Wash. This should help people better understand what is allowed (or more importantly not allowed) in the water of the Wash.
Several new safety signs will be installed at key locations on the Wetlands Loop Trail that have sharp turns. We are also rolling out new Waypoint signs. Beginning with 60 key locations throughout the Park, these small safety signs with emergency contact numbers and location information, will help people who are lost find their way or get assistance. They will be installed over the next several weeks.
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 Desert spiny lizard photo by Philip Martini.
Nature Close-up: Desert Spiny Lizard
A common sight in the Mojave Desert during the warm months is the desert spiny lizard. These diurnal lizards are identified by the rough scales that can vary from beige to yellow and have distinctive black coloration either under or around their necks. Interestingly, males often have turquoise to blue coloration on the underside and their throats. Females’ heads change to an orange or red coloration during mating season. Desert spiny lizards feed primarily on insects but will occasionally dine on flowers and leaves. Males assert their territory and ward off any rivals by engaging in a behavior that looks like push-ups. While territorial to other lizards, they are quick to flee or hide at any perceived sign of danger.
Wetlands Park has several native animal ambassadors we share with the public. One of those ambassadors is our desert spiny lizard who is supported in part by Friends of Wetlands Park. And remember, wild animals in nature are always best observed from a distance.
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  Participants feeling mammal pelts during Bioblitz at Wetlands Park. Below, Jim Boone of BirdandHike.com discussing mammals with the kids.
Thanks to all who participated in our annual Bioblitz event on Saturday, April 30th. We had more than 200 participants who became naturalists and made observations and identified 38 different plants and animals, including mammals, birds, fish, insects, and reptiles either on their own or with the help of our guest scientists at the field stations! Observations entered into the global database, iNaturalist, can be viewed in the iNaturalist Wetlands Park Nature Journal or here. Since the Wetlands Park Nature Journal was created in 2014, there have been 11,045 observations of 859 distinct species.
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 Wetlands Explorer kids exploring the 'Migrate: A Wetlands Park Art Installation" during March Tree, Leaves, and Bark program. Photo S. Glennie ©Wetlands
Spring and summer brings WP Art Programs, Evening Bat Discovery Walks, and kids' programs like Nature Tales, & Sunday Storytime. View our May Program flyer or our calendar. To learn more about all our programs and to register, visit programs.ccwetlandspark.com.
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 Great horned owlet peeking out from a nest in the Park. March "Nesting" photo challenge submitted by Jennifer Walser.
Have you taken a photo in Wetlands Park that you would like to share? Want to see your Wetlands Park photo featured in an upcoming newsletter?
The May photo challenge subject is "Family".
Submit your high resolution photo(s) to: wetlands@clarkcountynv.gov by 5pm on June 30th, 2022 to be considered. Include your name, date, and location of the photo.
Post about it on Social media!
#CCWetlandsPark
#CallforWPphotos
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 Join Wetlands Walkers
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 2022 the Walkers are recognizing the Peregrine Falcon and have a collective goal of trekking 6,800 miles.
Where might you spot a Peregrine falcon at Wetlands Park? Try Pabco trailhead in the morning.
To date, the Walkers have traveled 2,449 miles. Can we collectively reach 6,800 miles by the end of the year? Join Wetlands Walkers to make it happen.
To learn more about the Wetlands Walkers program, the peregrine falcon, to sign up, or to log your miles, please visit our website, walkers.ccwetlandspark.com. Wetlands Park Discovery Walks make it easy and fun to earn miles. Please visit programs.ccwetlandspark.com to sign up for a guided walk.
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