The popular speaker series brought to you by the Friends of Gold Butte has once again returned to the Mesquite Community Theater, 150 N. Yucca Street, for the fall 2018 season. The informal educational series, held once a month, is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The first presentation, entitled “Wild Utah: America’s Red Rock Wilderness,” will take place on Wednesday, September 19. The redrock canyon country of southern Utah is one of most stunningly beautiful landscapes on this planet, containing spectacular geologic formations, amazing cliff dwellings and rock art of ancient peoples, and world class hiking, climbing, rafting and biking. Terri Martin from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance will present a short video, and then and show stunning images of Utah’s redrock as she tells the story of the citizens’ campaign to protect this priceless part of our natural heritage.
Coming up on Wednesday, October 17, Anne Marie Lardeau from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program will present “Monarchs and Milkweed, Backyard Buddies.” Originally from France, Ms. Lardeau will explain the relationship between Monarch butterflies and native species of milkweed, some of which grow in the Mojave Desert. She will give tips for observing these beautiful insects in their natural habitat, explain their life cycle and even tell how attendees how to attract them to their own yards. Free milkweed seeds will be available for attendees to plant in their own gardens.
November is Native American Heritage Month, and in keeping with that theme, “A Land and Its People” will feature speakers from local Paiute tribes along with a sample of Native American storytelling and songs. Be sure and attend on Wednesday, November 14 to learn more about the history and culture of the indigenous people, past and present living in Southern Nevada’s Mojave Desert.
Rounding out the fall season will be Florence Gardipee from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday, December 19, with “What the Shell? meet the Mojave Desert Tortoise.” Ms. Gardipee is the Desert Tortoise Recovery Biologist from the Southern Nevada Office and she will discuss basic facts about these curious desert creatures, including their physiology, life cycle, habitat, protected status, and what is being done to protect the species from further decline.
For more information on Friends of Gold Butte, and scheduled hikes and activities, visit our website: www.friendsofgoldbutte.org
