News
Henderson Project GREEN Seeks Additional Volunteers
Efforts will restore Pittman Wash natural habitat
June 8, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
PLEASE CONTACT CINDY HERMAN, (702) 267-2051
Henderson, Nev. – The city of Henderson residents and employees who initiated Project GREEN (Green Valley Ecology, Environment and Nature) are seeking more people to help in the efforts to preserve one of the largest open space areas in Henderson: a natural habitat in the Pittman Wash spanning 2.5 miles.
The public is invited to attend an informational meeting about Project GREEN on Thursday, June 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway, south of Warm Springs Road between Green Valley Parkway and Valle Verde Drive.
Project GREEN was initiated in the fall of 2004. A collaboration of residents, city staff and local businesses has resulted in the removal of debris from the Pittman Wash between Pecos Road and Arroyo Grande Boulevard. In addition, the National Park Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service removed tamarisk, a “thirsty” invasive weed that threatens natural ecosystems. After the clean-ups, volunteers planted more than 400 cottonwood and mesquite trees along with native plants and flowers to provide desert landscaping that also serves as a functional part of the wash system.
"Project GREEN has really made a significant impact in improving the wash," said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson. "Our residents and businesses display a strong sense of community by partnering with us on this common cause. Now, it is time to build on the project’s success by expanding participation and working toward new goals."
Additional volunteers are needed to plan, coordinate and work on future planting and clean-up events, to distribute information, and to research grant opportunities. Sponsors and donors are also being sought to fund the program. So far, grants from the Nevada Division of State Lands Question One Program, the Eastman Kodak Company, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the High Desert Resource Conservation and Development Council have supported the efforts, along with contributions from local corporations of plants, equipment and other in-kind materials. Long-range plans for Project GREEN include adding amenities such as recreational trails and informational kiosks in the wash.
The more than 70 acres covered by Project GREEN offers residents an opportunity to see a variety of indigenous flora and fauna. Native plants include pencil and silver cholla, rabbitbush, palo verde, catclaw trees, and desert willow. More than 20 types of wildlife inhabit the wash, including cottontail rabbits, white-tailed antelope squirrels, red-tailed hawks, mourning doves, roadrunners, hummingbirds and various lizards.
The collaborative approach of Project GREEN earned recognition from the Nevada Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The 2005 DeBoer Award for Excellence in Planning for Outstanding Public Outreach and Journalism honored Project GREEN as a community initiative that involves the general public in a planning activity above and beyond the minimum state or local requirements.
"The City of Henderson strives to approach projects like this in partnership with our community, and the outreach process is part of what makes Henderson 'A Place to Call Home'," said City Manager Phil Speight. "The remarkable progress made so far is a catalyst to keep the program moving forward.”
For more information, contact Curt Chandler, city of Henderson land development manager, at (702) 267-3020 or visit www.cityofhenderson.com and select Project GREEN under Community Outreach.
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