Page 9 - B Fall 2012 magazine

By Sharon Schaaf

Even before they came to Las Vegas, Dan and Vera belonged to the Cactus So-
ciety in England where cactus grows only in greenhouses. Their personal col-
lection holds some four hundred species. Through the society, they have met
people from all over England. Because of their vast knowledge and work with
cacti, they were asked by Richard Leifried, a Master Gardener, to help rescue
cacti endangered by blasting or infilling at the Blue Diamond James Hardy

Gypsum Mine. The Wray’s reward for their work was helping save many speci-
men cacti and monitoring the Blue Diamond cholla, a species found only on the
Blue Diamond Hill.

There are tangible rewards for volunteering at Red Rock and the Wrays have
received several awards. The most memorable one was the 2004 Volunteer of
the Year Award. Since Dan
and Vera were in England for In their England home with one of their
many cacti.
the Volunteer Appreciation Photo by Pat Williams
Banquet, Friends picked Har-

vest Festival to present the award to them while they were at work in
the Tortoise Habitat. To make sure it was a surprise, Melissa Camp-
bell, dressed as “Trashy Poo” for a “Leave No Trace©” exhibit, en-
tered the habitat throwing trash around to distract Dan and Vera. As
Dan tried to forcibly evict Melissa, she pulled out the award. They

“Trashy Poo”, Dan, Vera and Mark Morse, BLM Field were definitely surprised! Vera’s photo from that day, along with all
Manager, with 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award. their awards, is in a place of honor in their home. It reflects the pride
Photo by Chuck Williams
they take in their work at Red Rock.

Now I know what happens to volunteers like the Wrays. You acquire longevity in life and marriage — Dan and Vera

have been married 57 years. It makes you well read, well
traveled, diverse in your interests and a great conversation-
alist. You stay physically active, healthy and cheerful. You
make lots of good friends. Your love and knowledge of na-
ture deepens; and, as Dan and Vera
have done, you get to share that with
thousands of Red Rock Canyon visitors.

Dan and Vera at the Information Desk
Photo by Pat Williams
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