Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

EDITORIAL:

Be mindful of preserving region’s outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy

Golde Butte National Monument

John Locher / AP

Susie Gelbart walks near petroglyphs May 26, 2017, at the Gold Butte National Monument near Bunkerville.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many Americans to find respite and solace in the outdoors, which for the most part was a healthy trend. Unfortunately, though, the pandemic also brought out some individuals who defiled sacred petroglyphs, trampled through fragile areas, and otherwise trashed parks, public lands and tribal lands.

Nevada parks officials told the Sun that they saw an increase in vandalism in outdoor areas last year, and we weren’t the only Western state where parks were damaged. In a recent story in the regional journalism publication High Country News, Utah officials reported an uptick in vandalism, including two separate incidents of defacement of thousand-year-old petroglyphs by vandals and rock climbers. And last spring, officials at Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico reported a rash of petroglyph vandalism amid the pandemic-driven crush of visitors.

Statistics aren’t available, but anecdotal reports of the increase in damage are enough to suggest that action is needed.

Part of the solution lies with parks officials, who should redouble enforcement efforts and amplify the message that vandals will be located and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It’s also critical to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of staying on approved trails, obeying fire restrictions and other rules designed to protect outdoor areas.

But the responsibility to preserve the parks also falls to the public, particularly visitors.

All of us who take to the outdoors — hikers, climbers, bicyclists, off-roaders, etc. — must be respectful of the rules and understand that they’re in place for a reason. Wandering off of trails, for instance, may seem innocent but can actually cause serious damage to desert flora that may take years to recover. (Not to mention that it can put hikers in danger of falling or getting lost.)

Littering isn’t simply unsightly, it can harm desert animals. Desert tortoises, for instance, are known to eat pieces of brightly colored plastic, apparently mistaking it for vegetation.

In terms of damage to petroglyphs, Indigenous communities also stress the need to amplify the message that vandalizing these archaeological treasures is in no way a victimless crime.

To Indigenous people, the images aren’t simply pieces of ancient art, they’re living reminders of their ancestors and of tribal heritage that white settlers attempted to erase in their campaign of genocide against Native Americans.

Fittingly, vandalizing a petroglyph is a crime under both state and federal laws, but Indigenous peoples say that protecting the images involves much more than enforcement. It involves ongoing public education.

“You can’t just hold one workshop, one Zoom panel session, and call it good,” said Hopi archaeologist Lyle Balenquah to High Country News. “There’s always new people coming into these sports and being introduced to the regions in general. There has to be people out in the field speaking to people as much as possible.”

That’s especially true in Las Vegas, where our visitors who venture into the region’s public lands may not be aware of the cultural significance of the archaeological sites.

In the meantime, we can all help take care of the outdoors by following the rules, picking up after ourselves, joining volunteer groups and reporting vandalism to authorities. The law enforcement department of the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees federally owned public lands, can be reached at 800-722-3998.

Speaking of which, the BLM is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the Utah petroglyph vandalization, which occurred on what is known as the Birthing Rock in Moab.

Stewarding our natural areas in Southern Nevada is in everyone’s best interests, even for those who don’t venture out much. It will help protect the high quality of our outdoor recreation sector, which is a growing part of our economy in a state where economic diversification is badly needed.

What’s more, it will preserve the spectacular environment and archaeology around Las Vegas for future generations, who deserve to see it as we do — in its unspoiled grandeur.