Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

May 2023

Archaeologist, Jeff Wedding, presented RAILROAD ARCHAEOLOGY: Investigations along the Union Pacific’s Salt Lake Line in Southern Nevada.

Between 1997 and 2001, Archaeologists from the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (HRC) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), initiated and completed the investigation of more than a dozen historic era archaeological sites across the Las Vegas valley. All were found to be associated, directly or indirectly, to the construction of the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad between 1903 and 1905 (the progenitor of today’s Union Pacific line). Now, 120 years after the railroad’s construction and 20 years since shovels scraped dirt, Jeff Wedding presented the history behind the Salt Lake Route and reflect on the findings of those archaeological investigations.

For a video of this Zoom Webinar click here. 

March - May 2023

NVFCP was contracted to remove decades worth of graffiti from a sensitive cultural area. Community support was seen through over 40 volunteers signing up to help. We used chemicals, air abrasives, power tools, and a ton of elbow grease. Volunteers learned about archaeology, preservation, and the variety of techniques used to carefully remove paint graffiti. Some spent a day with us, others came out everyday, and many volunteered for a few days here and there. Combined their efforts had a huge impact and much was learned. Each rock surface and paint interact differently. We had to do spot testing and change up our techniques fairly often. NVFCP can say we have a group of experienced graffiti removal volunteers for future projects.

May 2023 

Henderson Nissan hosted a Community Off-Road Meet & Greet with over 11 Clubs in attendance. NVFCP was invited to have an educational booth and explain how we often go off-road to do our preservation jobs. Our Executive Director's truck bed was full of graffiti removal supplies that were used earlier that day. Before and after photos of that work really resonated with booth visitors. We added several new folks to our monthly email list, got a few new OHV Preservation Ambassadors trained, and shared public reporting cards.

April 2023

NVFCP spent Saturday at the fair inside the Nevada Division of Wildlife tent coworking at a booth for the Nevada Off Highway Vehicles. We were able to talk to thousands of visitors throughout the day. People were drawn to the artifacts on display and were receptive to reporting damages they find to cultural sites when driving off-road. Kids had to answer questions about how they can ride smart before getting a stamp on their passport. Once full, from visiting all the booths, they got a prize. Many of the kids understood the importance of leaving artifacts where they are found! 

April 2023

This symposium was a discussion with archaeologist - Justin DeMaio, Co-curators Katie Hoffman and Hikmet Sidney Loe, and land art scholar - Kirsten Swenson about land use and the future of the Land Art Movement. This program is related to the exhibition "Modern Desert Markings." A video of the symposium is available here.

March 25, 2023

NVFCP hosted a tour of the Modern Desert Markings exhibition at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Attendees were guided through the works by co-curator and NVFCP President, Katie Hoffman. Ten artists prepared 1-3 original contemporary artworks in response to 5 now historic land art pieces/performances. Katie provided the background for the project and details like the mandatory field outings for each artist. She also provided insight into each work on display. Artist Emily Budd was in attendance and provided insight to her two works.  NVFCP will have an online gallery available in the near future.

March 24, 2023

The Opening Reception for Modern Desert Markings was held at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art. The reception was for a total of three exhibitions. Poet Ms.AyeVee, provided a special reading for Modern Desert Markings. To learn more about this exhibition, visit our webpage. For a video by UNLV of the opening reception click here. Note a second exhibition "Am I Your Type" was also having its opening reception.

March 2023

From February into March, UNLV and CSN students recorded archaeological features and sites at Atlatl Rock in Valley of Fire State Park. NVFCP joined in on their second Saturday to see how the engagement with the public visitors was going. Surprisingly, students were not approached by the public. We believe this is due to the fact that they were wearing high visibility vests and the public did not want to disturb them while they were working. Students had a great experience during this first of what will likely be many field school opportunities in Valley of Fire. 

March 2023

Rayette Martin with NVFCP came out to the OHV Registration event in Las Vegas to promote the preservation of our cultural sites and ask folks to report any damages they find when they are out recreating. OHV Preservation Ambassador, Paul Krachenfels with Dunes and Trails also helped and promoted his club. Lora Hendrickson with MXT media represented Nevada OHV and helped ensure paperwork was properly completed. Last but not least, Boulder City police did VIN inspections and answered questions.

March 2023

NVFCP partnered with Tread Lightly! to engage with racers and spectators at the Mint 400 Great American Off-Road Race. Tread Lightly! generously provided us a booth at the tech inspection/vendor area on Fremont. Each racer had to drive past our booth and fans walked along side them. Then after the races, we all joined up with Fox's Trail Trust to clean up the spectator areas at Jean Dry Lake.