Page 11 - Spring 2018 issue v1

10 Friends oF red rock canyon Friends oF red rock canyon 11

Volunteers, BLM and Great Financial support during
Basin Institute staff installed 2017, unrelated to volunteer
split rail fencing, financed work events, include funding
by Friends and Pine Creek for four animal proof garbage
parking lots during National cans at the Calico, Sandstone
Public Lands Day and a Natu- Quarry and Pine Creek park-
ral Resources Team workday. ing lots. Friends paid for two
By Kristi Weeks All costs for the construction benches that were installed at
supplies, equipment rentals the Sandstone Quarry parking
and fees for having emer- lot after the area was expanded.
Friends of Red Rock Canyon was formed in 1984 and was the first partner gency medical assistance on Friends also pays the training
organization affiliated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Since 1984, site were underwritten by costs for volunteering members
Friends’ volunteers have provided the equivalent of more than 12 full-time employees Friends. For Make a Difference to take First Aid/CPR/AED
annually. Through September 30, 2017, Friends provided in excess of $10,000,000 in Day, supplies to improve the classes at the Visitor Center
volunteer labor and direct financial support for the benefit of Red Rock Canyon National campground were bought by classroom.
Conservation Area. Friends, including 13 tent pad
frames, signposts for 22 camp- However, Friends most
sites and 15 Mesquite trees. In important role is the continuing
ur members and volunteers work to improve Due to these large numbers of visitors, many addition, paint was purchased education of the ever-increas-
ORed Rock Canyon in so many ways. We are trails have “social” trails branching out and it is for the interiors of the camp ing number of visitors to the
fortunate to have approximately 150 active volun- difficult for people to find the main trail. Trail host bathrooms at the camp- Conservation Area, so that they
teers who help with community volunteer events, signage greatly benefits visitor safety and reduces ground. Planting a mesquite tree at Red Rock enjoy this beautiful and fragile
staffing the information desk, volunteer recruit- impacts to desert vegetation. Friends was able Campground. Photo: Roger Hembree place in a responsible and
ment and caring for the resident tortoises and their to fund the sign decals for Carsonite signposts, sustainable way.
habitat. They also provide trail maintenance (two reflectors, Triview posts and trail sign markers
teams handle both light and heavier trail work), through a $5,000 grant from REI. In addition, trail
graffiti removal, trash removal, transportation signs were purchased and installed at the Sand-
funding for at-risk Clark stone Quarry lots. Friends bought Turtlehead Peak Right: New benches Left: Installing new
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
campsite signage.
County School District trail markers as well as supplies for signs placed and split rail fencing at
students, and cultural re- within Cottonwood Valley with the REI grant Sandstone Quarry. Below Center: Remov-
source monitoring, docu- money. Below: Vermin proof ing rotting wood from
mentation and protection. trash receptacle at Pine the tent pad bases at the
Campground.
Without its members and Friends also assists with the BLM’s commu- Creek Canyon
the continuing volunteer nity volunteer events in Red Rock Canyon such Opposite page: One of Below Right: Installing
and financial support of as Red Rock the new trail signs. new tent pad bases at the
Friends, many of the Day, National Photos: Kristi Weeks Campground.
critically needed pro- Public Lands Photos: Roger Hembree
grams and services at Day and Make a
Red Rock Canyon would Difference Day.
be severely impacted. Friends recruits
Light Trail Maintenance and registers
Photo: Roger Hembree volunteers,
Other ways Friends supports Red Rock Can- helps advertise
yon and the BLM is through applying for grants on social media
that improve the infrastructure of the conservation and procures
area. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation snacks, lunch
Area has over two million visitors annually. It is and water for
one of the premier rock climbing locations in the these events. Friends regularly funds needed sup-
world with climbing and hiking activities peaking plies such as construction materials, paint, tools
in the fall and spring. and other necessities.

the Rock - Volume 8 Issue 3 Spring 2018