Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

February 2026

The hum of conversation, the shuffle of agendas and brochures, and the shared love for Nevada’s rugged past made this year’s expo more than just an event—it became a meeting ground for preservation, passion, and community.

NVFCP hosted an educational table that drew in a steady stream of curious locals and visitors alike. What stood out wasn’t just the interest—but the enthusiasm. People weren’t simply stopping by; they were engaging, asking questions, and most importantly, expressing a genuine desire to protect Nevada’s cultural resources. Time and again, we heard the same sentiment: these places matter, and they deserve to be treated with care. That message—one of preservation over exploitation—clearly resonated.

We weren’t alone in carrying that torch. Our valued partner, the Nevada Offroad Association, joined us in reinforcing the importance of responsible recreation. They brought a practical, boots-on-the-ground perspective, reminding attendees that enjoying Nevada’s vast landscapes and protecting them can—and must—go hand in hand.

Also lending her voice was preservation advocate Tami Force of Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond, whose passion for the state’s historic sites is both infectious and inspiring. She highlighted the delicate balance between exploration and conservation, encouraging visitors to experience Nevada’s heritage sites with respect and mindfulness.

Beyond the conversations and shared ideas, the expo proved to be a powerful space for connection. We had the opportunity to meet a wide range of individuals—from local business owners to community leaders, and even the Mayor. Each interaction opened the door to new partnerships and future collaboration, strengthening the network of those committed to safeguarding Nevada’s history.

Events like this remind us that preservation isn’t a solitary effort—it’s a collective one. And judging by the energy and support we saw at the expo, Nevada’s past has a strong and passionate future.

February 2026

Speaker Series Presentation by Kayla Wolfe

Park Interpreter, Kayla Wolfe took folks on a virtual tour of Valley of Fire State Park’s new Visitor Center, opened November 2025. She explored the new exhibits, focusing on the thought process behind their concepts and design. By honoring the interests of guests, knowledge of professionals, and needs of the park’s history and wildlife, the team at Valley of Fire was able to create an interactive space that captures the magnificence of, and inspires stewardship for, the surrounding landscape. We’re excited to give viewers a deeper look into the thoughtful consideration given to each educational display.

To watch a video of the talk on our YouTube Channel click here. 

February 2026

On Sunday morning, nine dedicated volunteers chose service over sleep and gathered at Little Red Rock for a community cleanup effort. What started as a simple trash pickup quickly became a powerful reminder of how stewardship and education can go hand in hand.

Armed with gloves, trash bags, and determination, our group spread out across the area. One team focused on removing small debris—carefully collecting shards of broken glass and scattered nails. Piece by piece, they combed through the site, ensuring that unsightly reminders of past vandalism were safely removed.

Meanwhile, another group hiked through the nearby wash. Along the way, they discovered rusted-out car parts, illegally dumped linoleum, and countless bits of miscellaneous trash. The hike turned into a meaningful mission as they cleared debris from areas that often go unnoticed but are deeply impacted by neglect.

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the day came when we encountered individuals trespassing in the area. Instead of conflict, we found opportunity. Volunteers took time to respectfully educate them about the importance of protecting the site. To our surprise and gratitude, those individuals didn’t just listen—they joined us. Gloves went on, trash bags were handed out, and together we worked toward a cleaner landscape. It was a powerful example of how simple conversations can inspire immediate action.

By early afternoon, bags of trash and buckets of nails and glass were gathered, and the difference was visible. Yet the experience also left us reflecting on a sobering truth: it takes only moments to shatter a bottle or scatter debris, but hours of patient effort to restore what’s been damaged. The burned nails and broken glass we collected were small reminders of how easily a special place can be harmed—and how much care it takes to make it whole again.

It was more than a cleanup. It was a day of stewardship, education, and shared responsibility. We left tired but encouraged, reminded that even a small group of committed individuals can make a meaningful impact—and that sometimes, all it takes is an invitation to turn bystanders into partners in preservation.

February 2026

The Bureau of Land Management and the Friends of Avi Kwa Ame recently hosted their first-ever Junior Ranger Day at Walking Box Ranch in Searchlight, Nevada — and it was a fantastic celebration of public lands and hands-on learning.

The event featured interactive stations staffed by a variety of “-ologists,” giving visitors the chance to explore everything from archaeology to ecology and learn how to responsibly enjoy and protect our shared landscapes. Nevadans for Cultural Preservation brought out a mano and metate along with other artifacts to demonstrate the importance of archaeological context and why artifacts should always be left where they are found.

Guests also enjoyed guided tours of the historic Walking Box Ranch, adding a rich layer of local history to the day’s activities.

Interested in future events at Avi Kwa Ame National Monument? Be sure to check out the events hosted by the Friends of Avi Kwa Ame to stay connected and get involved!

Photo is of the NVFCP booth. Jr. Rangers come in all ages!

February 2026

Southern Nevada Gem & Mineral Society invited NVFCP to talk at their February meeting. These rockhounds spend ample time in the Nevada backcountry and run across cultural sites like old mining buildings and Native American petroglyph sites. We are honored they invited us to share preservation information with their members. 

​The purpose of the Southern Nevada Gem & Mineral Society is to promote interest and education in the various earth sciences, mineralogy, gemology, and to foster the exchange of knowledge in the lapidary arts. They are a non-profit, community service organization. They also have a Lapidary and Education Center in Las Vegas where they have a shop and hold most of their classes and some events such as rock swaps.

January 2026

Speaker Series presentation by Isabelle Guerrero

The Nevada Archaeological Association (NAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of Nevada’s antiquities. The NAA preserves Nevada’s antiquities, encourages the study of archaeology and educates the public to the aims of archaeological research. The NAA promotes common professional and avocational interests of NAA members furthers its purposes through non-profit activities including, but not limited to, education, training, meetings, workshops, publications and other relevant activities.

In this talk Isabelle shared information about some of the past NAA meetings, and revealed details about the upcoming 2026 Annual NAA Membership meeting in Mesquite, NV. It was clear that Annual Membership meetings always offer exciting field trips and incredible workshops.

She explained that one of the more recent focuses of the NAA has been support of University student researchers; and shared some details on the amazing past and ongoing student projects funded through the NAA.

Finally, she introduced the phenomenal research coming out through their Nevada Archaeologist publication.

To watch a video of the talk on our YouTube Channel click here.

December 2025

Record high temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s made for an unexpectedly pleasant December day as volunteers headed out to Little Red Rock for a major cleanup effort. Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, volunteers relocated and removed large trash from bushes, washes, and crevasses throughout the area.

We are happy to report that most of the trash and dumping encountered was left by past visitors—not historic material (over 50 years old) and, importantly, nothing dumped too recently. This is encouraging news and suggests that recent stewardship and monitoring efforts are making a real difference.

Ten dedicated volunteers spent their Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. hauling out truckloads of debris, including mattress springs, car parts, plywood, and other miscellaneous trash. Thanks to their hard work, these large-scale cleanup efforts shouldn’t need to be repeated anytime soon.

That said, there is still important work ahead. Smaller debris—such as broken glass, shell casings, clay pigeons, and windblown bags, cans, and bottles—remains scattered across the landscape and will require continued care and attention.

If you’re interested in helping, keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities. Our next Stewardship Sunday outing should be posted soon, and we would love to have you join us in protecting this important cultural area.

December 2025

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, NVFCP was proud to host a volunteer appreciation event at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve to recognize the incredible dedication of our volunteers. With generous support from Howard Hughes, guests enjoyed lunch together in one of the Preserve’s outstanding meeting spaces while reflecting on a year of meaningful impact.

During the event, volunteers learned about the remarkable efforts made in 2025 at the area known as Little Red Rock. Over the course of 24 outings, 43 volunteers contributed a total of 303 hours toward protecting this important landscape. Their work included removing old trash, testing an online reporting system, and scouting red sandstone outcrops to identify areas experiencing high activity, illegal dumping, and/or vandalism.

These efforts build on a strong foundation of stewardship. Since 2022, when NVFCP began assisting with the preservation and restoration of Little Red Rock, volunteers have donated an impressive 1,231 hours to caring for this culturally significant area. Their commitment plays a vital role in safeguarding the site for future generations.

The afternoon concluded with a special guided tour of Nuwu Pahsats led by archaeologist Nathan Harper. Nuwu Pahsats—the Nuwuvi term for “The People’s Garden”—is an outdoor education space that highlights sustainable relationships with water, plants, and the landscape, rooted in the traditional lifeways of the resilient Native peoples of Southern Nevada.

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers and partners for their time, energy, and passion. Events like this remind us that preservation is a shared effort, made possible by a community that truly cares.

December 2025

NVFCP was honored to serve as a guest lecturer for ART 478/678: Great Basin Art and Artifacts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The course, taught by Hikmet Sidney Loe, explores the rich artistic and cultural traditions of the Great Basin through an interdisciplinary lens.

Our Executive Director, Rayette Martin—also a proud UNLV alum—led the lecture and shared insights on the importance of preserving cultural resources in context. She discussed the many challenges associated with cultural preservation, including human impacts like graffiti and looting.

Students were highly engaged throughout the class, asking thoughtful questions and connecting the discussion to concepts they had been learning all semester. The dialogue highlighted how art, archaeology, and cultural heritage are deeply interconnected, particularly in the study of the Great Basin.

This course serves as an excellent bridge between the arts and archaeology, fostering collaboration and shared understanding across disciplines. We are excited to hear that ART 478/678 will likely be offered again and are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an impactful learning experience.

NVFCP appreciates the invitation to participate and looks forward to continued partnerships that support education, preservation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

November 2025

On a beautiful Sunday morning, volunteers from the Dunes and Trails UTV Club joined NVFCP in the field to install 10 new educational signs aimed at protecting sensitive archaeological sites. Their support was invaluable—not only could their UTVs reach areas that a standard work truck simply couldn’t, but they also came equipped with an electric jackhammer and generator. Thanks to their tools (and enthusiasm), we saved our backs and shoulders and were able to set the signs deeply and securely for long-term durability.

After several productive hours of hauling equipment, digging holes, and setting signs, the team enjoyed a well-earned break by exploring part of a soon-to-be-designated off-road trail within the BLM Red Rock National Conservation Area. The route offered a mix of fun and occasionally challenging segments, all surrounded by the stunning scenery that makes the Red Rock NCA such a special place.

It was a fantastic day of stewardship, adventure, and partnership. Huge thanks to our UTV friends for their commitment to protecting Nevada’s cultural resources!