Interpretive & Educational Programs

We fill common but essential roles federal land management agencies may not fill directly but are expected by visitors. Activities are coordinated by a small team of Managers, Interpretive Naturalists, and Field Rangers.

Through a slate of interpretive & educational programs, visitors explore the trails, wildlife, and ecology of Nevada with trained experts. Interpretive Naturalists lead guided hikes putting the site’s special ecology into context while seeing the sights. During periodic evening hikes, as the light diminishes, participants are challenged to explore the area not just with their eyes but with all senses. Special consideration is given to highlighting ethical recreation principles such as Leave No Trace. For the health and conservation of heavily visited areas, such as Spring Mountains NRA, it is vital visitors are provided tips and tools they can use to ensure they can enjoy the outdoors while preserving the ecology and trails of the area for future generations.

Junior Ranger is a popular and engaging 1-hour program that takes children through the job of a forest ranger, highlighting forest ecology, wildlife management and Leave No Trace principles. At the end of the program, participants take an oath to protect national forests and receive a badge. Staff also set up tabletop interpretive stations at trailheads highlighting local wildlife and ecology.

The Conservancy provides interpretive outdoor programming for K-12 students visiting the Spring Mountains as a school-organized field trip. Interpretive naturalists and field rangers guide groups of 60-150 students through various STEM-based programs appropriate to their grade level, where they learn first-hand about the science behind wildfires, local plants & animals, outdoor safety, and public lands stewardship, all at no cost to the schools.

The Red Rock Canyon LV team hosted a variety of public and private K-12 school kids for educational programs geared toward understanding public lands science and history, presentations that meet Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science (NVACSS.) Not everyone can make it out to Red Rock Canyon, though, so we take these programs into classrooms and community centers throughout Nevada, as well, including participating in Clark County’s Safekey program, a before- and after-school recreational enrichment program for elementary school children. Through the Department of Interior’s Every Kid in a Park program, 4th graders participate in an in-class interactive presentation by our interpretive staff. At the end of the program each child receives a pass allowing them and their families free access to National Parks, Monuments, and Conservation Areas for an entire year.