Page 3 - 2002 DT 12 issues

with most of those in the Adopt-a-Trail Weed Warriors Unite! ○ ○
program. Like all volunteer programs, this ○ ○
number can vary throughout the year, ○ he snakeweed and Russian thistle ○ lected for more flowers, trees need to be
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therefore we are constantly looking for ○ are taking over. Snakeweed has an ○ pruned and watered, dead cactus removed
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people. At any one time, you will only Talias or two, it’s also called ○ and replaced, and designated pathways
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find one or two volunteers at the Visitor ○ ○ matchweed or broomweed. Like most ○ ○ maintained. One hundred hours per month
Center. ○ ○ children, it can be pretty when very young. ○ or twenty five “Weed Warriors” work-
We need people to help with the In- ○ ○ At an inch or so it bears a close re-
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formation Desk, assisting with schools, ○ semblance to some ground covers
monitoring trails, trail maintenance, moni- ○ ○ with a bright green velvety appear-
toring cultural sites, tortoise monitoring ○ ○ ance with tiny yellow flowers. As it
and maintenance, and graffiti removal. ○ ○ matures, it gets dry and woody. The
These are only some of the positions avail- ○ ○ resinous content of the leaves make
able at Red Rock. You can work alone or ○ ○ it a dandy fire hazard. Tortoises don’t
in a team setting, depending upon what ○ ○ eat it, burros don’t eat it, mustangs
you get involved with. Training will be ○ ○ don’t eat it. Birds and ground squir-
provided, so don’t worry. Our training ○ ○ rels would be more numerous and a
sessions occur in the winter and summer, ○ ○ lot fatter if they ate the seeds.
with individual training conducted as ○ ○ Russian thistle starts life as gray
needed. ○ green stems with a vague semblance
If you are interested, contact the Visi- to a tiny tree. Up to three inches or
tor Center and request a Volunteer so they are relatively harmless. Ma-
Application Package by phone (1-702- turity comes early, complete with lav-
363-1921) or in person; fill out the ○ ender blossoms protected by serious
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application (include two references) and ○ stickers. When the thistle completes its ○ ing four hours a month should keep the
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return it to the Visitor Center as follows: ○ growth cycle it breaks free of the earth ○ Visitor Center looking pretty spiffy!
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Attn: Ranger Cribbs ○ and tumbles across the landscape drop- ○ An organization meeting will be held
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Red Rock Canyon NCA ○ ping seeds. Tortoises don’t eat it, burros ○ on Saturday, February 2, 2002 at 10:00
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HCR 33, Box 5500 ○ don’t eat it, mustangs don’t eat it. Birds ○ a.m. with lunch at noon or at the end of
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Las Vegas, NV 89124 ○ and ground squirrels don’t eat the seeds. ○ ○ the meeting. If you think being a gardener
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So, come on up and join us in making ○ To my knowledge, these non-native in- ○ at the Visitor Center would be interesting
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a difference at Red Rock Canyon . . . and ○ vasive weeds have no redeeming qualities. ○ —maybe even fun— join us in the Friends
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thanks for caring.— J. Cribbs, Volunteer ○ Probably the only environmentally safe ○ Room. It’s very important that you call
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Coordinator. ○ way to rid ourselves of this plague is pull- ○ me at 643-1296, leave your name and
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○ ing and digging them out. number and let me know by January 21,
Announcements ○ ○ Unfortunately, gardening (like house- ○ ○ 2002 if you’re going to be there (I need
○ ○ to count the cheese cubes). No call . . . no
o There will be a planning meeting after ○ ○ work) is a continuous job. The flower ○ ○
the January 8, board meeting. Commit- ○ ○ beds need water, seeds need to be col- eat!—Clara B. Hatz, Master Gardener
tee Chairs are asked to attend. Please ○
present at least one goal for each stand- ○ ○
ing committee. ○ ○ Needed: Desktop Publisher
o Melissa Campbell has returned as ○ ○
Natural Resources Chair. ○
o Clara Hatz will be the new Landscape ○ ○ If you use either PageMaker or Quark programs, the
Committee Chair. ○ ○ Desert Trumpet is looking for someone to publish 3 - 4
o Jay Bartos would like more volunteers ○
for the Environmental Education Commit- ○ ○ issues annually. Format will be provided, along with
tee. Anyone with teaching experience is ○ ○ graphics, if necessary. Call B. Wolin (256-8043) or e-
especially needed. ○
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o BLM District Office moves to 4701 N. ○ mail at sagebrush88@hotmail.com.
Torrey Pines on January 14. ○ ○

FORRC/January, 2002 Page 3