Wednesday, May 26, 2021 | 2 a.m.
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For many Nevadans, Red Rock Canyon is more than just a weekend trip — it is a sacred slice of home. The sandstone cliffs are indispensable to our health, recreation and enjoyment. However, as more people discover this crown jewel, overcrowding and unsustainable usage threaten our most precious public lands.
Save Red Rock has always fought for safe, sustainable recreation, restoration and conservation. That is why we are proud to support the 30x30 conservation agenda. This ambitious campaign calls on public officials to protect at least 30% of lands, rivers, lakes and wetlands by 2030. We believe the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act (SNEDCA) will help us meet this goal.
The act, proposed by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., is the largest Southern Nevada conservation bill in recent history. Included in it is a 50,000-acre expansion of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. We are proud to have worked alongside Cortez Masto to plan this much-needed expansion.
If passed, the expansion will relieve pressure on Red Rock, providing more sustainable recreation opportunities. Furthermore, by preserving this gorgeous corner of our desert landscape, we will be able to protect endangered species like the desert tortoise and Blue Diamond cholla.
We are proud to support Cortez Masto’s proposed expansion of the national conservation area and are are grateful for all public officials who are joining her to pass SNEDCA.
You can join us in our call of support by visiting saveredrock.com/environmental-advocacy.
The writer is president of Save Red Rock,anonprofit organization that aims to preserve Red Rock Canyon.
