Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

November 2025

Presentation by Dr. Samantha Rubinson - Nevada State Historic Preservation Office/Nevada Site Stewardship Program Coordinator

The Nevada Site Stewardship Program has been stewarding archaeological sites throughout Nevada for close to 20 years. This work has created a unique archive of site condition data that can elucidate the major causes of site change and damage over time statewide. An analysis of the stewardship data from 2014-2024 investigated trends related to climate change, recreational damage, and deliberate human impacts on sites. These trends were examined on state-wide, regional (Field Office and Ranger District), and individual site levels. This presentation will focus on the results of this study, the implications for land managers, and recommendations for future preservation.

Watch a recording of Dr. Rubinson's presentation on our YouTube Channel here. 

Check out NVFCP's activity and special projects pages to see what we have been doing to help land managers protect and preserve their archaeological and historic sites. 

November 2025

In mid-November, NVFCP Executive Director Rayette Martin headed north to the White River Narrows Archaeological District to meet with rock art specialist Dr. Jannie Loubser of Stratum Unlimited. Supported by a Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative Grant, the team spent a full week in the field documenting cultural features and carefully camouflaging incised graffiti at both petroglyph and pictograph sites.

What struck everyone on the project—yet again—is how quickly damage can be done, and how slowly it can be repaired. A moment of poor judgment, a few scratches made to “leave a mark,” can take hours of skilled labor by trained specialists to minimize. And even then, the truth remains: vandalism to rock art can never be fully undone. These marks are not just eyesores; they permanently alter irreplaceable cultural records.

Despite the challenges, there is good news. Stratum Unlimited and NVFCP are in the process of updating all existing site records within the district and documenting several new sites recently identified. Their work is helping build a clearer, more comprehensive picture of the area’s deep cultural history.

White River Narrows is a remarkable landscape, and one that is thoughtfully interpreted for public visitation. If you’d like to learn more about the area and its significance, you can explore additional information through the Basin and Range National Monument website here .

Together, through stewardship, education, and respect, we can help ensure that these extraordinary cultural resources remain protected for generations to come.

October 2025

Our RSVP list for October’s Sunday Stewardship at Little Red Rock filled up months in advance. 

Girl Scout Troop Leader Jennifer swooped in early and reserved most of the spots for her troop of enthusiastic scouts and their parents—and thank goodness she did. When cleanup day rolled around, eight powerhouse Girl Scouts and five equally awesome adults showed up, ready to roll up their sleeves and take on everything the desert threw their way (spoiler: it threw a lot).

These stewards-in-the-making tackled:

• Trash tangled in desert vegetation 

• Glittering shards of broken glass 

• Buckets of rusty nails and metal debris from illegal fires 

• Even scratched graffiti inside a beautiful sandstone rock shelter  (gently swabbed away with care, of course)

To be honest, NVFCP had a few nerves at the start. We don’t usually bring younger volunteers into areas with sharp metal, glass, and those oh-so-tempting red rock cliffs that practically beg to be climbed. But those worries quickly melted away when we met this crew. Not only were the Girl Scouts respectful, focused, and curious—they were also supported by a group of incredibly hands-on, engaged adults who worked side-by-side with them throughout the day.

Together, this dream team donated 52 hours of service in just one afternoon. That’s fifty-two hours of conservation, community, and connection to the land.

Even more impressive? These young stewards didn’t just clean up—they learned.
They soaked up knowledge about:

• Respectful visitation to cultural sites

• Why places like Little Red Rock still hold deep significance for Native communities today

• And how one single bottle can become a thousand tiny glass pieces scattered across the landscape

We walked away from the day inspired, grateful, and honestly a little in awe. 

October 2025

When Vegas Verdes Elementary School reached out to NVFCP with a request to chat about cultural site preservation (specifically graffiti removal), we were all ears—and slightly stunned. Why? Because these students were already deep in the world of archaeology at their school.

Yes, you read that right.

After a visit from BLM archaeologist Annette Bennett, who gave them a powerful glimpse into the vandalism issues at Sloan Canyon's Petroglyph Canyon, these curious kids didn’t just nod and move on. Nope—they rolled up their sleeves, fired up their imaginations, and started crafting a LEGO set idea centered around archaeological site preservation. 

The students didn’t stop there—they’re also working on public service announcement (PSA) videos to spread the message of stewardship and respect for our cultural treasures. Naturally, NVFCP’s Executive Director Rayette Martin was stoked to help.

Armed with photos of graffiti removal projects, a replica petroglyph and pictograph, Junior Ranger books, and some real-life graffiti cleaning tools (because props are everything), Rayette headed to the school. What she found was a room full of excited, engaged, and absolutely brilliant future site stewards.

One student even researched NVFCP before the visit and proudly quoted our mission:
“We cannot expect people to care about things they know nothing about, follow laws they've never heard of, or protect things they cannot identify.”
Talk about doing your homework!

Throughout the visit, students asked insightful questions, took notes for their video scripts, and showed genuine care about protecting Nevada’s cultural heritage. If this is what the next generation of preservationists looks like, we are in very good hands.

We couldn’t be prouder to support these young visionaries. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a difference is exactly what the world needs—preferably in LEGO form.

We don't think this is the last we will hear from these students!

September 2025

Lincoln County residents took a step back in time at our hands-on, high-energy Atlatl Workshop — and it was a blast (from the past)!

The day kicked off with atlatl expert Angelo Robledo, who wowed the crowd with a deep dive into the history and global use of these ancient hunting tools. He even showed off his impressive flintknapping skills, crafting stone points.

Next, participants got crafty — literally — building their own atlatl darts using replica projectile points, sinew, and turkey feathers. Some folks discovered the skill required to securely attach points and feathers.

The grand finale? Everyone took to the field to launch darts with various styles of atlatls. With each throw, you could hear the mix of laughter and surprise.

Running from 10am to 2pm, the workshop was educational, hands-on, and a whole lot of fun. Let’s just say: the atlatls weren’t the only things flying — time did too!

September 2025

Experimental archaeologist Angelo Robledo discussed his work to bring archaeology into school classrooms in his Speaker Series presentation for NVFCP. Since 2018 Angelo has worked with public, charter, and private schools in Las Vegas to introduce archaeological concepts and projects as a supplement to existing social studies curriculum. This talk provided an overview his efforts and discussed best practices when talking to children about the human past! 

Watch a recording of his presentation on our YouTube Channel here.

September 2025

NVFCP Collaborates with LCAT on Ash Springs Petroglyph Tours

As the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT) works to develop a variety of new guided excursions around the county, NVFCP was honored to be invited to contribute to their efforts—specifically by sharing insight and stewardship guidance at the Ash Springs Petroglyph Site.

Before jumping in, we coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees this publicly interpreted site, to ensure our involvement aligned with their management goals.

During the orientation for LCAT’s tour leaders, we provided deeper context around the cultural and environmental significance of Ash Springs. This site sits within a region that has seen human occupation for over 12,000 years, shaped by a shifting climate and the increasing importance of year-round water sources like the Ash Springs hot spring. These waters, along with others in the region, feed into the Pahranagat Valley, a landscape now known for its ranching heritage and as the home of the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.

Our primary message during the tour? Respect the site. Leave all artifacts, petroglyphs, and natural features undisturbed. While NVFCP will not receive any profit from future tours of Ash Springs—we feel commercialization doesn’t support our mission at this time—we strongly believe in the educational value of guided interpretation. When visitors understand the stories behind these places, they’re far more likely to protect them. Even something as simple as taking a rock can erase a piece of history.

We’re excited to support tourism efforts that prioritize education, preservation, and responsible visitation, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help shape this new chapter for Lincoln County.

August 2025

Navigating Partnerships: An Introduction to the Tribal Liaison Role and Tribal Consultation

Speaker's Series Presentation

Dr. Kathrina Aben, Archaeologist/District Tribal Liaison for the Bureau of Land Management

This talk was an introduction to the vital role of tribal liaisons in federal agencies. Tribal liaisons serve as important bridges between the U.S. government and tribal sovereign nations and communities, ensuring that the government carries out its trust responsibilities through the inclusion of Native values, beliefs, and practices in the management of public land. We will discuss the role of tribal liaisons, define what is tribal consultation, understand the legal and ethical necessities, and explore best practices. An understanding of this critical role and consultation process will help to enrich archaeological practices by recognizing the importance that cultural landscapes, places, and archaeological sites have in the daily lives of Native communities.

No recording available for this presentation.

August 2025

This Labor Day weekend, NVFCP was thrilled to host a fascinating presentation in one of Nevada’s most iconic venues—the historic Thompson’s Opera House in Pioche. With the cool comfort of air conditioning and over 70 curious minds in attendance, we welcomed Jeff Wedding, archaeologist with the Desert Research Institute, for a deep dive into the archaeological investigations of the Union Pacific’s Salt Lake Line in Southern Nevada.

Jeff took the audience on a journey through time, exploring the rise of the railroad in the region and revealing how archaeologists have uncovered and mapped historic worker camps that once lined the tracks. From forgotten encampments to the legacy of industrial expansion, it was a powerful reminder of the hidden stories just beneath our feet.

A huge thank you to Jeff for sharing his knowledge and passion—and to everyone who joined us for this special event. It’s moments like these that bring the past to life and remind us why preserving Nevada’s cultural heritage matters.

Illustration of a railroad camp below.

August 2025

Labor Day weekend, NVFCP brought the spirit of stewardship to one of Nevada’s most unique celebrations—the 2025 Pioche Labor Day Festival! Our outreach booth was buzzing with energy as we connected with festival-goers about the importance of responsible visitation and the preservation of the incredible sites that make Lincoln County so special.

From lawnmower races to street dancing and classic parades, visitors from far and wide flocked to Pioche to join the fun. We were thrilled to add to the excitement with a special NVFCP-hosted event at the historic Thompson's Opera House, where history and heritage took center stage.

A heartfelt thanks to Lois Etzel for her invaluable help throughout the weekend—your support made a big difference!

Here’s to keeping Nevada’s cultural treasures protected and appreciated for generations to come!

See a photo of Digger the tortoise hanging out at our booth below.