LAKE MEAD WILDERNESS AREAS TO GET MORE ATTENTION

[Andrew...@nps.gov]

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA News Release

For Immediate Release: Nov. 10, 2009
Release No.: 2009-57
Contact: Andrew S. Muñoz, 702-293-8691

LAKE MEAD WILDERNESS AREAS TO GET MORE ATTENTION

BOULDER CITY, Nev. - The National Park Service is looking for partners in
the community to help restore and protect the park's wilderness areas south
of Boulder City. As part of the initiative, rangers will be increasing day
and night patrols in the Black Canyon and Eldorado wilderness areas.

"We want to develop a sense of stewardship and ownership in the community
for theses unique places," said Jim Holland park planner for Lake Mead
National Recreation Area.

What concerns rangers the most is illegal off-highway vehicle use and the
impacts from partying. They are looking for help from the community to
change this.

Some the areas are popular places for late night bonfires says Chief Ranger
Mary Hinson, "Go out there after a weekend and you can find large areas
strewn with broken glass from illegal target shooting and fire rings filled
with burned car parts and aluminum cans."

"We should take pride in the fact that we have such beautiful places right
next to us," said Hinson, a Boulder City resident.

Park officials encourage visitors to wilderness areas to follow "Leave No
Trace" principles. That is to minimize human impact to the land and pack
out anything they pack in.

Wilderness areas are rare, wild places where visitors can retreat from
civilization and reconnect with nature. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
has nine designated wilderness areas.

Anyone interested in helping with wilderness restoration projects can
contact the Lake Mead National Recreation Area volunteer office at (702)
293-8714.

- NPS -