Educating students on sustainability is a key step in raising awareness of the environmental issues that are impacting our lives. Schools in Las Vegas, Nevada have a unique opportunity to teach students about conservation and restoration efforts through a variety of programs and initiatives. The Springs Preserve offers guided and self-guided tours for teachers and their students. Before arriving, teachers must complete the “Teach the Teacher” training, which includes watching a 15-minute video and filling out the necessary forms.
This program provides educators with the tools they need to help their students understand the importance of conservation and restoration efforts in Las Vegas. Scott Abella, an associate professor of Restoration Ecology at the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV), has developed an international research program in conservation and ecology. His projects cover deserts and dryland forest systems in the southwestern United States, to the oak forests of Ohio and the deserts of Kuwait. This program connects stakeholders with information about the state of the drought, essential research, and tools that can be used to help address and assess the impacts of drought in Nevada.
The One Drop Foundation is taking action to address water issues in Las Vegas' desert climate. They have also partnered with the Nevada Conservation Districts to provide additional education and resources to help conserve Nevada's natural resources. This program educates adult volunteers who educate others and participate in environmental projects in Southern Nevada. The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has been leading collaborative resource management efforts in Northeastern Nevada for the past seven years, resulting in a model for other states and areas.
Jacob Price is a laboratory technician at UNLV's School of Life Sciences. Before joining the Conservation Ecology Laboratory, he worked as an intern at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in Luquillo (Puerto Rico) and as a science teacher at a local school in Las Vegas. Las Vegas provides an ideal setting for teaching students about conservation and restoration efforts. Through programs like those offered by Springs Preserve, One Drop Foundation, UNLV, and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, educators can provide their students with valuable knowledge about how to protect our environment.
