Page 16 - magazine Spring 2011-1_Neat

Mojave Max has emerged!
Max crept out of his burrow, with a dirty face
and empty tummy, on Wednesday, March 29,
at
to
2:03 PM. We were fortunate to be there both
take his emergence photo as well as provide
some tasty tortoise chow and water.
There have been a few changes in the habitat over the winter. Max has a second burrow with
more cacti and yucca planted to discourage visitors from reaching into the habitat. The best
time to view the tortoises is every Wednesday and Saturday morning as the volunteers feed the tortoises. That is when
the tortoises are most active. The habitat is fantastic and provides a great view of the tortoises and of Red Rock
It's amazing how much effort it takes to keep nine tortoises happy and healthy. From April to November, 27 volunteer
tortoise habitat monitors spent more than 448 hours in the
habitat. They fed the tortoises about 40 pounds of tortoise
chow, watched them eat an unknown amount of cacti,
filled the water dishes and provided information and
education to the thousands of habitat visitors. We
appreciate all your help and we think the tortoises do too!
We also want to thank Amelia Savage, BLM Wildlife
Biologist, for her enthusiasm, support and assistance.

Since March 2010, she trained 55 volunteers on the new

protocols and procedures for the habitat, cheerfully and

thoughtfully answering all tortoise related questions.

Amelia has taken up a shovel and improved the habitat by

changing burrows and planting cacti as well as working

closely with the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center to get

the tortoises’ medical care. She worked on Saturdays and

Sundays and is always enthusiastic about working with the

tortoises and volunteers.

April
Saturday, 4/9 Second Saturday Salon ~ Contact Janis Kadlec (702 515-5380)
Astronomy Night ~ Contact Kate Sorom (702 515-5353)
Friday, 4/15 Dedication Walkway Application Deadline ~ Contact T. Wojciechowski (702 515-5360)
Friends of Red Rock Canyon Open Board Meeting ~ Contact V. Sudduth (702 515-5360)
Saturday, 4/16 Tortoise Habitat Training ~ Contact Jim Sudduth (702 515-5366)
Loop Ambassador Training ~ Contact Jim Sudduth (702 515-5366)
Saturday, 4/23 Red Rock Day ~ See flyer insert for registration information
Saturday, 4/30 Graffiti Removal Training ~ Contact Jim Sudduth (702 515-5366)
May
Saturday, 5/7 Natural Resource Workday ~ Contact Klaus Cobb (702 515-5366)
Saturday, 5/14 Summerlin/Friends Desert Clean-Up ~ Contact P. Williams (702 515-5360)
Second Saturday Salon ~ Contact Janis Kadlec (702 515-5380)
Volunteer and Staff Ice Cream Social ~ Contact Jim Sudduth (702 515-5366)
Saturday, 5/14 Red Rock Canyon Photo Contest Entries Accepted from 9 AM to 3PM
Sunday, 5/15 Contact Joe or Mary Labie (702 515-5360)
Friday, 5/20 Friends of Red Rock Canyon Open Board Meeting ~ Contact V. Sudduth (702 515-5360)
Saturday, 5/21 Friends Quarterly Membership Meeting ~ Contact M. Burk (702 515-5360)
Special Guest Naturalist Sharon Schafer
Saturday, 5/21 Natural Resource Workday ~ Contact Klaus Cobb (702 515-5366)
Tuesday, 5/31 Red Rock Canyon Campground Closes for the Season ~ Contact L. Kirk (702 515-5327)
June
Saturday, 6/4 National Trails Day
Saturday, 6/11 Second Saturday Salon ~ Contact Janis Kadlec (702 515-5380)
Saturday, 6/18 Natural Resource Workday ~ Contact Klaus Cobb (702 515-5366)