Nevada Wilderness Project

Fall 2005

Year in Review
Snows have begun to fall on the higher peaks throughout the Silver
State and as the calendar draws closer to 2006, it is important to
turn one eye back while keeping the other looking farther down the
line. 2005 – WOW! I am amazed by the year that we have had:
four new employees, three active campaigns, a major fundraising
drive, an established office in Las Vegas, a Hood to Coast fund-
raiser, volunteers in Washington, and whitewater rafting. A busy
year indeed!
Our campaigns are currently rolling at various levels in Lyon, Per-
shing, and White Pine Counties. Lyon has had a bumpy ride over
this year. Eight months ago, it looked as if things were lining up to
move very quickly, but after several tours and meetings with Com-
missioners things began to unravel. The Lyon County Commis-
sioners eventually sent a letter to our Congressional Delegation
saying that they felt like wilderness was being forced upon them
and that they no longer were interested in working towards a lands
bill for Lyon Co. We are hopeful that talks will begin again in the
near future and look forward to working in Lyon County with all
residents and leaders there.
To the north in Pershing County,
things are moving at a nice pace
after a summer series of tours
through the proposal areas with
their Checkerboard Lands Com-
mittee. In White Pine County,
wilderness is closer to becoming
a reality. At the end of Septem-
Photo © Kristie Connolly
ber, several volunteers traveled
back to Washington to express their support for areas in Eastern
Nevada.
Unfortunately, we have been struck with tragedy as well in White
Pine County. Our Coalition partner and lead organizer, Pam White,
died unexpectedly in a car accident days after returning from our
Washington DC trip. Her work was vital and her spirit is felt by all
as we move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and perspec-
tive. (See page 2 for a memoriam)
I’m excited to welcome to the Project staff Mackenzie Banta, Chris-
tian Harrison, and Cynthia Scholl. Mackenzie had a tremendous
first few months on the job helping shoulder the weight of the major
donor drive with Erika. We exceeded our goal of $60,000 and are
happy to announce the opening of a permanent Las Vegas presence
with our new Southern Nevada Outreach Director, Christian Harri-
son. Finally, we are very pleased to introduce Cynthia Scholl as our
Membership Coordinator. Cynthia will be with us part time, she’s a
junior at UNR, and we are thankful for her company and supreme
organizational skills.
While all these new faces and talents are helping us continue
to change the map of Nevada, we are still looking to you for
help. As our capacity to do more increases so does our need
for greater involvement from our membership in the form of
time, financial contributions, and grassroots involvement.
2006 is going to be a pivotal year for White Pine County and
we need as much help as we can get with letters to our repre-
sentatives highlighting the importance of wilderness designa-
tion. Please contact our outreach folks (in Southern Nevada,
email Christian at christian.harrison@wildnevada.org; in
Northern Nevada, Cameron’s email is cam-
eron.johnson@wildnevada.org.) to find out the best way for
you to help protect more wilderness in Nevada!
As we move into the winter months and holiday season, it is
impossible for me to contain my enthusiasm for what we
have accomplished in the last year and the potential for what
we can, with your help, achieve in 2006. Thank you one and
all for your continued support and dedication, and be ready
to be called upon again in the near future.
- John Wallin, Director
Photo © Todd Kincaid
In this Issue:
Year in Review - pg. 1
In Memoriam - Pam White - pg. 2
Business Highlight - Bear’s Pizza - pg. 2
Volunteer Spotlight - NV in DC - pg. 3
Wilderness Value Trips - Southern NV - pg. 4
New Southern Nevada Outreach Director- pg. 5
NWP Fundraising - pg. 5
WILD Calendar - pg. 6
Nevada Wilderness
Project
8550 White Fir Street
Reno, NV 89523
775.746.7850
www.wildnevada.org
501 (c) (3) non-profit
corporation
NWP Board of Directors
Bret Birdsong, President
Kim Jardine, Secretary
Chris Todd
Morlee Griswold
Tori King
Brian O’Donnell, Vice President
NWP Staff
John Wallin, Director
Kristie Connolly, Associate Director
Kevin Mack, DC Representative
Erika Pollard, Nat’l Outreach Dir.
Mackenzie Banta, Development Dir.
Cameron Johnson, N. Outreach Dir.
Christian Harrison, S. Outreach Dir.
Cynthia Scholl, Membership Coord.
Coalition Partners
Campaign for America’s Wilderness
Friends of Nevada Wilderness
Nevada Outdoor Recreation Assoc.
Red Rock Audubon Society
Sierra Club - Toiyabe Chapter
The Wilderness Society
NWP
Mission Statement
The Nevada Wilderness
Project is committed to
saving spectacular, rug-
ged-and imperiled-public
lands in Nevada as
Wilderness, the strong-
est protection possible.
Page 2
In Memory of a Great Wilderness Advocate
Pam White, a good colleague and friend, tragically died on September
30th, 2005 in a single car accident north of Ely, NV. Pam had been lead-
ing the charge in our White Pine County efforts as the rural organizer for
Friends of Nevada Wilderness and doing tremendous work. She made all
of our efforts in White Pine Co. and throughout the state better. She was
a source of energy and constant enthusiasm, her tireless work ethic was
inspiring and contagious to all who knew her. In Ely, Pam was a not only
a wilderness organizer, but also a foster mother, vice chairman of the
Public Lands Use Advisory Committee, and substitute teacher. She died
seven months pregnant and is survived by her nine year old son Connor,
who has moved back with Pam’s parents in Gillette, Wy. There is an
educational trust established in Connor’s name for those who wish to
make a contribution. Donations may be sent to the following address:
The Connor White Memorial Education Fund
c/o Campco Federal Credit Union
902 E. Third
Gillette, Wyoming 82716
Business Spotlight: Bear’s Pizza
9570 South McCarren Blvd.
Reno, NV 89503
www.bearspizza.com
775.787.8282
We like pizza. Matter of fact, we love pizza and there’s no shortage of pizza joints throughout
Reno or Nevada. But we also get picky about our pizza. Some folks like lots of meat, others
pile on the veggies and give it a witty name, while others put a little meat, a smattering of other
things, and then title the pizza with an even more creative name. Pizza is really a lot like wil-
derness, there’s no one set definition of what it should look like, both go great with beer, it
never goes bad, and you can always enjoy it cold!
Our business spotlight shines brightly on our new friends at Bear’s Pizza in Reno! Located just
north of the intersection of McCarran and West Fourth St, Bear’s has been in town for 4 years
with Matt Norman running the show. Bear’s and NWP began to work together as a result of
Matt’s desire to get involved with local groups in town and the quick thinking of Leif
Christiansen, a super member of ours. Matt has been catering to Patagonia for several years
now and employs a few folks from the Distribution Center, one day he was asking his employ-
ees of ways to get involved with some sort of charitable organizations and Leif came up with a
plan to bring more people into Bear’s new dining room and raise some cash for the Project by
hosting the lively folks from Patagonia after the quarterly employee sales. All tips from the bar
on those nights are given back to the Project, and we couldn’t be happier. We’re excited about
this partnership and grateful to Matt, Leif, and the rest of the crew at Bear’s, home to best Chi-
cago style pizza this side of Lake Michigan.
www.wildnevada.org Fall 2005
 Nevada Volunteers in Washington, DC

Washington, DC and Congress are integral to protecting wilderness in Nevada and it is im-
portant that we maintain quality working relationships with our representatives there by
letting them know how much we as an organization appreciate them. But they know what
we think and therefore it is crucial that we give our delegation the opportunity to hear what
other Nevadans think. Sometimes we write letters or make phone calls, but the most impor-
tant thing to do is actually speak to them.
This newsletter’s volunteer spotlight features not one, not two, or even three, but five high
Photo © Christian Harrison
quality volunteers who took a giant leap of faith and allowed us to send them to Washing-
ton, DC at the end of September! Patti Heinbaugh of White Pine Co., Jan Barbour of Las Vegas, Nancy Hall of Clark Co, and Steve
Pellegrini and Art Shipley of Lyon Co, are all residents in counties where there are current campaigns, who braved the airlines and
bustle of the infamous DC Beltway in order to make their voices heard about the importance of wilderness in Nevada.
As the second annual Nevada Wilderness Week in Washington, volunteers were able to meet with each congressional representa-
tive’s leading staff member in Washington and speak about the importance of the wild places in their home counties. The first day
of the trip was spent making rounds through the House of Representatives and quick slide show at the Wilderness Society. On
Thursday everyone got up bright and early to have breakfast in the Capital with Senators Reid and Ensign. Everyone enjoyed meet-
ing the Senators and telling them about how much they appreciated their efforts to designate more wilderness in the Silver State.
Senator Ensign even remarked at one point, “jeez, how many of you folks are here today!?!”
After posing with the Senators for a photo, we were given a tour through the Capital building, saw the new Sarah Winnemucca
statue, and had a few minutes to sit in Senator Reid’s office with his press secretary Tessa Hafen. The afternoon was spent between
the Senators’ offices. It had been a long two days and we had tried to keep Nancy away from the new Native American Smith-
sonian building and we just couldn’t any more. Free at last after a full scheduled, East Coast paced two days, folks spread in every
direction to take a few hours to see the sights. Art Shipley summed up the pace and the amount walking very well when he said,
“Cameron told us to bring comfortable walking shoes. Well, I’ve had my dress shoes for over 20 years and I’ve never had prob-
lems. But at the end of the trip I wished that I had my boots, my blisters had blisters.”

Volunteers, staff, and coalition partners in DC (left to right), Kathryn Seck, Cameron Johnson, Mackenzie Banta, John Wallin, Christian
Harrison, Patti Heinbaugh, Pam White, Jeremy Garncarz, Nancy Hall, Jan Barbour, and Kevin Mack. (Steve Pellegrini and Art Shipley
not pictured)

Page 3 www.wildnevada.org Fall 2005

 Southern Nevada Wilderness Values Trip Highlights
Sloan Canyon

Saturday October 22nd was a great day. It began with an assemblage of teachers, students, parents,
hunters, political and environmental activists, and an older couple who just wanted to be outdoors.
The purpose of the day was to hike up into Sloan Canyon, a national recreation area just south of Las
Vegas. The diversity of the group made for many interesting conversations along the way. One thing
that everyone on the hike had in common was a love and respect for the outdoors.
Discussions on the trail ranged from the grade the teachers taught, to the correct technique for black-
powder hunting, to length of service with the city, to the type of rock blanketing the area. Everyone
was so interested and enthusiastic about Sloan Canyon. Many of the folks on the hike had never be-
fore been there, and some had never even heard about it. There were sixteen people in all on the
hike. I spoke with all of them and was deeply impressed by their interest in the outdoors and how
they could further help the cause for wilderness preservation. When it came time for me to ask folks
to sign letters in support of wilderness and protection for Sloan Canyon I had to run all over the place
to drop off tablets and pens to eager petitioners.

Our group began the “long” four mile hike below the canyon at the site of
some extremely picturesque 100 foot tall power lines. These are the
same power lines that I told people to look for on our drive to the trail
head off of Las Vegas Blvd. After a few wrong turns that were quickly
corrected, the group made it to the correct location and we were off, un-
der our own power this time; just legs and feet. Our group quickly elon-
gated as the quick marchers sped out up front. I talked to everyone down
the line and had occasional rally points. I didn’t need to lose anyone else
on this hike. After multiple promises on my part that the petroglyphs we
sought were “right around the next corner,” we finally did make it to the
actual petroglyphs. At once the group was behaving differently. There
was a palpable curiosity present. Moms and daughters, boyfriends and girlfriends, all started pointing and whispering to one another.
People crouched and traced the paths of thousand year old rock marks. General wonderment was the theme for our midpoint. I ex-
plained, as best I could, the culture that carved these petroglyphs, and how many of them are over a thousand years old, lending irony
to the notion that everyone considers Las Vegas such a “new” town.

We spent a good hour looking at the petroglyphs and writing our elected officials about the need to create more protection for price-
less cultural artifacts like those in Sloan Canyon. After I collected the letters and pens we headed back for the vehicles. Our hike
back was far easier with the downhill slope to our favor. I got to
know some really amazing people that day and left with a deeply
positive attitude. It is always great to find other people who care so
much about the land. The hike up Sloan Canyon was only the first
of many that I plan on leading. It has given me tremendous moti-
vation to lead as many as possible into the backcountry because
there are so many people here in Las Vegas that do care and want
to help in any way they can.
- Christian Harrison, Southern Nevada Outreach Dir.

All Photos taken by Christian Harrison

Page 4 www.wildnevada.org Fall 2005

 NWP Fundraising Update from Mackenzie

This summer, the Nevada Wilderness Project conducted a Major Donor campaign
to raise funds to open our Southern Nevada office. Thanks to our generous do-
nors, we achieved our goal of raising $60,000 in six weeks!! It was a very ambi-
tious and necessary campaign for an organization of our size to undertake.
The success of our fundraising efforts would not have been possible without the
superior effort of our Board of Directors and their great participation. Countless thanks also go out to the
hard working Erika Pollard, our National Outreach Director, who helped to orchestrate the campaign
while eight months pregnant! She gave birth during the drive to a 7lb, 2 ounce beautiful, future wilder-
ness advocate boy, named Vann Oliver Pollard!
We now have the handsome and talented Christian Harrison on the ground down in our newly opened
Las Vegas office, organizing support for Nevada’s wild spaces. Many of you, our generous and dedi-
cated members, made a stretch contribution to help us continue our efforts statewide. Thank you for your
support and firm belief in keeping Nevada wild. - Mackenzie Banta, Development Director

Hood to Coast 2005

A BIG thank you goes out to the runners on our fundraising team during the
Hood To Coast relay in August. The team of 12 wonderful and tough runners
helped to raise over $9000 for NWP by running 197 miles from the top of Mt.
Hood to the Oregon seashore in 24 hours! These strong runners included: John
Wallin, Kristie Connolly, Cameron Johnson, Chris Todd, Adam Chamberlain,
Todd Kincaid, Tristan Todd, Emily Powell, Vinil Patel, Kelly Stahl, Emily Supernavage, and DylanTenBrink. Thank you to all the
friends and family that donated in honor of these runners who made up team Viva Las Wilderness!

Erik Holland Art Show 2005

Reno artist Erik Holland and the Nevada Wilderness Project have teamed up to present "From
Tahoe to Tonopah II", a one man show of Holland's paintings of the areas that the Nevada
Wilderness Project works to protect, as well as other landscape and small town scenes of the
Silver State. A reception was held at Patagonia on October 27th. Thanks to the generosity of
Erik, half of all the sales from the show are donated to NWP. More than 50 paintings will hang
through Christmas for the public to view. Nevada Wilderness Project thanks Erik for all of his
hard work, support and talent he gives to the Project!

Please join us in welcoming Christian to Nevada Wilderness Project!

Christian Harrison is NWP’s newest Grassroots Organizer and is now based in Las Vegas. He comes to
us from the high schools of Carson City and the Bay Area, where he taught history. Prior to teaching,
Christian could be found inside an M1 tank in Germany, as one of those guys who gets more done by
9am then most people get done all day. His stint in the US Army and as a tank driver did not dampen his
enthusiasm for the wild desert and forest of Nevada however.
Today, he will be responsible for ramping up efforts in southern Nevada so that places like the Highland Range, Mt. Stirling and Gold
Butte get the attention they deserve. You might recall that there were a number of potential wilderness areas in Clark County that were not
designated Wilderness in the Clark County legislation of 2002. One of Christian’s jobs will be to see to it that the Forest Service, BLM and
National Park Service do not let those areas lose those wilderness qualities. He will do this by meeting with agency folk and bringing out
volunteers and dignitaries to these spectacular and unprotected landscapes.
Although he likely owns a pair of camouflage pants and a jacket or two, don’t expect to see him tabling in Henderson or Summerlin in his
army gear. (If you do, call us immediately!)
Christian loves being outside, finding time to bike whenever he gets a chance. He also enjoys good music and that team that plays baseball
in Anaheim, or is it Los Angeles? Whatever the case, his taste in baseball teams notwithstanding, we are very excited to have him on board
and look forward to hiking the washes and ridges of Nevada with him. If you are down in Vegas, stop by and say hello.

Page 5 www.wildnevada.org Fall 2005


Photo © Kristie Connolly
Please join us for our
monthly volunteer night at
Reno’s Great Basin
Brewery
(www.greatbasinbrewingco.com)
Please check our Web
Calendar for dates and
times.
HELP US PROTECT YOUR WILDERNESS
It’s easy to help… Cut out this form and mail it to: NV Wilderness Project, 8550 White Fir St; Reno, NV 89523
Enclosed is my donation of:
$25.00
$50.00
$100.00
$250.00
$500.00
Other Amount: ____________
NEVADA WILDERNESS CALENDAR
WILDERNESS VALUES TRIPS & EVENTS
Join NWP staff and volunteers on trips to potential wilderness areas! You can see beautiful
places and help protect them at the same time by writing letters and plugging in to our ef-
forts in a way that’s interesting and fun. All outings are weather permitting.
Please log on to www.wildnevada.org for more information.
Southern Nevada - Wilderness Value Trips
November 19—La Madre Spring Hike
Come out for a 3-4 hour dayhike in Red Rock Canyon. I will be leading folks on a roughly four
mile hike to the La Madre Spring. We will pass through some beautiful areas on our hike. The
hike is moderate and should take around 4 hours to complete. Dogs are welcome to come along.
The hike will take us around the north end of the Red Rock range of mountains and will give
those involved a completely different perspective on the land around. If interested, please call
Christian Harrison at 702.575.4222.
November 30—Turtlehead Hike
Hike in the Red Rock National Conservation Area up one of the most intense four miles around. The hike will
start at 9 in the morning. We will meet at the Red Rock Visitor Center and discuss the route. Once up top we'll
discuss ways people can get involved and write a letter or two to our congressional delegation telling them about
our day. If interested, please call Christian Harrison at 702.575.4222.
Northern Nevada Events -
December 9th—Holiday Party and Silent Auction
Come join the Nevada Wilderness Project on December 9th starting at 6:00 pm to celebrate the holiday season
and end of the year. This fiesta includes food, libations, lively music, plus a silent auction to benefit NWP. Si-
lent auction items include: holiday baskets from Wild Oats and Grounds 4 Change, outdoor gear from Patagonia,
REI, Montrail, yoga and pilates classes, plus many other great gift ideas. Come dressed in either red or green to
share in the holiday cheer!
Cover Photo by Howard Booth
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