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October 22, 2004
Proud in Beatty
The Landscape Design Workshop was sponsored by the Beatty Habitat Committee (BHC) in cooperation with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. The purpose of the workshop was to guide the BHC in developing the Habitat Trails Projects, the project the BHC has been developing to create and protect habitat for the Amargosa Toad, develop trails through Beatty/ Oasis Valley and to Rhyolite, picnic and wildlife viewing areas, and generally make Beatty a more attractive place to visit and to live. The areas to develop habitat, trails, etc., would come from a 25-year lease from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). At the end of that time, if the plans are developed, the area (approximately 5,500 acres) would be turned over to the town and/or Nye County. There were about 60 participants at the workshop, coming mostly from Nevada and California. The participants included members of the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, instructors and students from UNLV School of Landscape Design, instructors and students from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo campus, School of Landscape Architecture and Design, graduate students from UNR Biological Resources Research Center to provide guidance in planning for habitat preservation and development compatible with the creation of trails, picnic and viewing areas, etc. There are 35 local, state, federal and private agencies, private companies, societies and individuals that cooperate with the expertise of professional staff, student training, volunteers and publicity. When considering the financial support through the Beatty Town Advisory Board, Nye County, "pro bono" work by lay and professional people, and monetary grants already received or committed for future work on the Habitat Trails Project, the total amounts to almost $7 million. Gov. Kenny Guinn declared Jan. 24, 2004 (the final day of the Landscape Design Workshop) as a day in honor of the Beatty Habitat Trails Project, being created by the Beatty Habitat Committee. Several townspeople attended the workshop and saw the possibilities for improving the recreational and educational opportunities, as well as clean up and beautify Beatty. Among these participants was David Spicer, owner of D&H Mining, and Brad Hunt, local supervisor of NDOT. David Spicer has contributed the rock, labor and equipment; Brad Hunt and other volunteers have also labored on the project ... I'm sure they could use more help! Also, thanks goes to Eric Maciaszek, who designed some of the changes in the Beatty park, and those volunteers who have made the park into an attractive place to have fun. These changes have encouraged several property owners to "spruce up" their properties, so the center of Beatty is now quite attractive, although there is more to do. The Landscape Design Workshop has created designs for permanent "gateway" markers at the north, south and west entrances/ exits in Beatty, which will encourage travelers to see Beatty as an interesting destination instead of just a "pit" stop. It was hoped that gateway signage could be completed by the Centennial, but that was not to be. Booklets showing pictures of Beatty, design ideas for current and future projects that came out of the workshop, and more detail on these projects will soon be available. The "Progress Report, 2003 through Feb. 2004" shows the progress made by the Beatty Habitat Committee since its inception in July 2000, and is available at the Beatty Library. The Beatty Habitat Committee thanks all the participants who are making the Habitat Trails Project possible. If anyone wants more information or to come to BHC meetings, call J. R. at 553-2346. J. R. SCHULTZ CHAIRMAN BEATTY HABITAT COMMITTEE |
