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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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 Daytime Spooky Maze and Story Walk. ©Wetlands
Get lost in our Spooky Maze and Story Walk available from October 1 through October 23 during daylight hours. Our maze of reeds will contain a self-guided story walk and decorations for all park visitors to enjoy.
  Kids exploring the Spooky Maze at Haunt the Wetlands event. Photo by D. Walker ©Wetlands
The month ends with our annual kid-friendly, family Halloween event, Haunt the Wetlands on Friday, October 25 from 4 pm - 8 pm. Discover the eerie side of nature in a Creatures of the Night walk, see what's lurking in the Spooky Maze, and get up close and personal with live, creepy, crawly animals. Experiment in the Mad Scientist's Lair if you dare.
Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. Please note that this is not a trick-or-treat event. Tickets are required and are now available for purchase online at events.ccwetlandspark.com, at the Nature Store, or in-person the day of the event. Tickets are non-refundable. Advance Ticket fee: $6; Day of Ticket fee: $10 (Ages 0-3 free).
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 Mojave Autumn article cover featured in Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide. Photo of Green Heron by Dinorah Arambula.
Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide featured an article about Wetlands Park in the Fall 2024 edition titled Mojave Autumn. Wetlands Park volunteer and our third annual Artist in Residence, Morrigan DeVito, highlights the fascinating changes Wetlands Park undergoes as the season transitions from summer to fall in the desert and what visitors can expect to see from migrating birds to sprouting mesquite seeds. Read the featured article here.
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“What are the plans for finishing the Wetlands Loop Trail?”
The answer to one of our most frequently asked questions is finally getting an update! New sections of the Wetlands Loop Trail will be paved beginning in September. The project will unroll in phases with the first phase completed by the end of December. Other phases will happen over the next several years, but planning for the entire trail system is nearly complete. By the end of this calendar year we will have several new trail features:
- A segment of the trail will be paved from the cul-de-sac at Wetlands Park Lane to the end of Coyote Howl Trail in the Duck Creek Area. This will provide a paved connection between Duck Creek Trails and the main parking lot.
- The paved portion of the trail will then “jump” to the other side of the Mitigation Wetlands Site (the trail in between these sections will be paved in a future phase). This is a brand-new location for the trail that will travel along the south bank of the Wash along the peninsula to join with the future Hollywood Extension bridge across from Duck Creek and Old Silver Bowl Park. This will allow us to avoid the washed-out trails downstream of Duck Creek channel.
- Moving to the southeastern part of Wetlands near Galleria Dr. the paved trail will be moved slightly near Powerline Crossing Bridge (near Lake Las Vegas) to accommodate a new fence and gate that will help eliminate a huge access point for unauthorized vehicles.
- New trail entrances created at Wetlands Loop Trailhead (Mile 0) as well as the end of Wetlands Park Lane (Dragonfly Divide) including new curb cuts and fencing.
Future phases of this project will complete the paved circuit from the Pabco Trailhead to Pelican Point, and therefore back to the Nature Preserve. We also are planning new segments along the north side of the Wash as well. When all is said and done we will have a diverse network of paved trails with multiple routes that connect all parts of the Park to each other. The project is funded through the State of Nevada Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources Conserve Nevada, a bond measure approved by the state legislature.
Some portions of the trail may be closed during construction. We will keep everyone informed as the project unrolls… Stay tuned!
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Scout Projects at Wetlands Park
Thanks to two local scout troops, there have been improvements to the Park in recent weeks! Thanks to Leah Braunstein with Troop 848, the Cottonwood Grove has been brightened up with cleanup, newly-painted benches, and a new bridge. Thanks go also to Paul Huffmaster and Troop 256 for completing improvements to the Bostick Interpretive Site and Discovery Trail, including tree trimming, signage install, and trail maintenance. These projects were done in partnership with Clark County Wetlands Park and the Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee. Stop by the Park to take a look at the changes.
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 Regrowth's opening reception in the SONGallery. Photo ©Wetlands
Now Showing - re/growth
Our third annual juried show, re/growth, is on display in the SONGallery until November 7.
Re/growth centers on celebrating parks and other wild places as a breath of fresh air, a revitalizing change of scenery, and a catalyst for the turning of a new leaf. Twenty-eight pieces have been selected by juror Jessica Oreck to present in the exhibit. Artists created works using several mediums including watercolor, stoneware, acrylic, photography, and much more. Visit the Exhibit Gallery of the Nature Center for a chance to view these intricate art pieces.
Juror Jessica Oreck presented the following awards at the opening reception on August 10:
Best of Show: "Wetlands #3" by Stasia Valora Fisher, oil on canvas
Honorable Mention: "Generational Learning" by Deborah Lambin, books paper
Honorable Mention: "Mojave Wild Fire Regrowth" by Diane Zizka, acrylic on canvas
Honorable Mention: "Wetlands Park's Last Gambel's Quail Offspring" by Narz Dela Rosa, gouache
Seedlings: Artists of the Future
During the month of July, Wetlands Park presented Seedlings: Artists of the Future, our first-ever show exclusively dedicated to the talented youth attendees of our monthly Nature Art for Kids program. Twelve youth artists proudly displayed their artwork in the Nature Center's SONGallery. Art works displayed an array of wetland and desert landscapes, insects, and birds. Wetlands Park is pleased to support and encourage budding artists by displaying their artwork for the public to enjoy. Want your child to be eligible to take part in a future youth art show? Sign up for a Nature Art for Kids class.
Photo: Seedlings youth art work by S. Malik.
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 Java Jaunt Birding walk participants observing wildlife. Sign up for Java Jaunt at programs.ccwetlandspark.com. Photo KP ©Wetlands
Fall welcomes the return of our outdoor programs and events for all to attend! Explore your artistic side with our Studio WP Art Programs. Get involved with our monthly Wetlands: Hands On! (W.H.O) outdoor stewardship events. Join us on the weekends for a Java Jaunt Birding walk in partnership with Red Rock Audubon Society and a Discovery Walk with a Park naturalist. Bring the family to Nature Tales for story time and a craft. View our September and October Program Guides or our calendar. To learn more about our programs and to register, visit programs.ccwetlandspark.com.
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 Wetlands: Hands On! participants planting Coyote Willow, March 2024. Photo ©Wetlands
Do you enjoy the satisfaction of working alongside friends and family in the beautiful outdoors? Would you like a hands-on activity to involve your kids in land stewardship? Is your corporate group looking for a way to give back to the local community while spending time in nature? Wetlands Park Stewardship programs might be exactly what you are looking for!
Wetlands: Hands On! (W.H.O.) is a stewardship program involving more than 5,000 community volunteers since it began in 2013. Families and individuals are invited to participate in our monthly W.H.O. events hosted from September-April involving litter clean-ups, trail improvements, rock art, and more. We also offer opportunities for community and corporate groups to schedule a special stewardship request outside of our W.H.O. events. For more information about stewardship at Wetlands Park, please visit our Stewardship page. We also host projects for scouts and other youth groups. These project requests begin with an email to wpstewardship@clarkcountynv.gov.
Want more? Become a long-term Wetlands Park badged volunteer. Once you become a badged volunteer, there are additional stewardship programs you can take part in. Our Wetlands Park Trailkeepers help us care for the entire park by walking the trails and offering information to visitors. Eager Beavers participate in special park projects like citizen science mesquite research, invasive plant mapping, and focused restoration activities. To learn more about becoming a badged volunteer, please visit volunteer.ccwetlandspark.com.
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 Wetlands Park volunteer, Steve Pruitt, at Vern's Pond. Photo KP ©Wetlands
Passionate volunteers are priceless. They are the heart and voice of Wetlands Park. Steve Pruitt is an active volunteer with many years of service to the Park. We were able to catch up with him to find out what inspired him to become a volunteer at Wetlands Park.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. I am a native Californian. We moved to Nevada in 2013. I retired in 2011 after 34+ plus years in Information Technology. I enjoy traveling and learning. One of my favorite things is the joy of being in nature.
How long have you been volunteering at Wetlands Park? Since December 2016.
How did you come to volunteer at the Wetlands? I had downsized a business selling art and antiques and found myself with idle time so my spouse, Suzann, suggested we volunteer. Since I enjoy nature, the Wetlands Park was a perfect fit.
What kinds of things do you do during a typical volunteer shift at Wetlands Park? I began volunteering in the Exhibit Gallery and special events. In the past few years, I have also become involved with Eager Beavers, Wetlands Park Trailkeepers, and W.H.O. events.
Why do you like volunteering at Wetlands Park? I enjoy meeting people so the Information Kiosk is a great place to talk with visitors from around the globe. I also enjoy the sense of accomplishment from planting trees and cleaning trails.
What is your favorite spot in the Park? I really enjoy the trail from Wells to Pabco and beyond. This space provides a different view of the Park.
What advice would you give someone thinking about volunteering at Wetlands Park? The Park offers a wide variety of experiences for anyone interested in nature and community service.
Thank you for volunteering with us, Steve. We appreciate your hard work and dedication.
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Wetlands Park is seeking volunteers in all areas, including environmental education, outreach, visitor services, and outdoor stewardship.
Is volunteering at Wetlands Park right for you? The first step to becoming a volunteer is to attend a Get involved at Wetlands Park class. You'll learn about Wetlands Park, volunteer opportunities, and the process to become a Clark County Volunteer. Youth age 12 and up may volunteer with a guardian.
Get Involved at Wetlands Park
Sign up at volunteer.ccwetlandspark.com
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 Greater Roadrunner. Photo by Philip Martini.
Nature Close-up: Greater Roadrunner
Greater Roadrunners are cuckoos possessing striking characteristics like long legs, a long neck, and a long, straight tail. Their bills are elongated and slightly downcurved at the tip used to peck and drag their prey. Roadrunner bodies are dark brown to tan with prominent streaking on their backside and chest. They have spotted crested crowns and a blue patch of skin behind their eyes. While visiting Wetlands Park, you’ll likely see this magnificent bird dashing up to 25 miles per hour across an open road or running alongside a streambed in scrubby and riparian woodland areas.
Roadrunners are attuned to southwest desert living and have adapted to surviving extreme landscapes. Prey like small mammals and reptiles are moisture-rich which help to replenish these birds living in water-scarce areas, but they will generally devour any meal they are able to catch, including venomous snakes and scorpions. Retaining as much water as possible is crucial for desert living. Roadrunners have mastered this by secreting a highly concentrated salt solution through a gland in front of their eyes instead of excreting excess water through their urinary tracts.
To stay cool, roadrunners will flair the nonfeathered area beneath their chins to disperse excess heat. When the sun is out, they will sunbathe several times a day by turning their backs towards the sun and raise their back and wing feathers to expose their black, heat-absorbent skin.
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 Take a Walk at Wetlands and Join the Club
Wetlands Walkers is a self-guided program to encourage the community to connect with nature by walking the Park’s trails with friends, family, or independently. Record your mileage after walking one of the Park’s many trails and earn rewards at various milestones. Reward notifications are issued once a month via email. Anyone can join!
As a group, walked mileage is tallied to reach a yearly goal matching the migration distance of one of the Park's visiting species. In 2024 the Walkers are recognizing the yellow-rumped warbler and have a collective goal of trekking 4,000 miles.
We're excited to share that the Walkers have not only reached their 4,000 mile goal but have surpassed it with a whopping 4,415 miles walked as of August. Congratulations, Walkers! Keep walking and logging your miles, let's see how many miles you can walk by the end of the year. Walkers, don't forget to collect your rewards at the Nature Center's Exhibit Gallery during our hours of operation: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm.
Wetlands Park Discovery Walks make it easy and fun to earn miles.
Upcoming Discovery Walks (Walker membership not required but pre-registration is)
Beaver Walk: Saturday, September 7, 5:30 am to 7:30 am *FULL*
Java Jaunt Birding: Saturday, September 21, 7:00 am to 9:00 am
Java Jaunt Birding: Saturday, October 19, 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Beaver Moon Walk: Friday, November 15, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Java Jaunt Birding: Saturday, November 23, 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Hike & Seek Family Discovery Walk: Sunday, November 24, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
To learn more about the Wetlands Walkers program, the yellow-rumped warbler, to sign up, or to log your miles, please visit our website, walkers.ccwetlandspark.com. Please visit programs.ccwetlandspark.com to sign up for a guided walk.
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 Flame Skimmer Dragonfly. Photo submission by Tom Benson.
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?
Submit your high-resolution photo(s) to: wetlands@clarkcountynv.gov Include your name, date, and location of the photo.
Post about it on Social media!
#CCWetlandsPark
#CallforWPphotos
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Wetlands Park Navigator mobile app is brought to you with support of Wetlands Park Friends. Download the mobile app through Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The Navigator provides content including tours, maps, directions, and other Park information in English, Spanish, and Tagalog. Try it out to explore a new part of Wetlands Park the next time you visit us!
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