The desert is enveloped in beauty if you understand the desert and know how to look for it. Nevada’s environment is so unique, even a tiny amount of moisture can encourage flowers to bloom where least expected. Desert wildlife relies on the environment and its foliage by consuming it for nourishment and hiding in it to catch prey or protect itself from being the prey.
I ride my horse quite often in the desert around Fallon. Riding reveals so many interesting things; a bird flitting around trying to catch an insect, lizards darting from bush to bush, leaving tiny foot and tail prints through the sand as it races for an old post or up a tree. A coyote stalks an antelope squirrel that disappeared under a greasewood brush, or a small deer herd quietly moves from one area to another. Signs of wildlife are everywhere.
One of my favorite things to see is other people enjoying the outdoors. It is not unusual to encounter others out horseback riding. However, it is also common to experience off-road vehicles. When this occurs, moving off the road and into the brush is wise. Many riders prefer the quiet of the desert and how little their horses disturb the terrain and environment while off-roaders prefer to explore the open, unhindered expanse of the sand and trails at a faster pace. If careful, we can all head out to take in the desert and its beauty, all the while preventing accidents or injury.
Second Amendment enthusiasts also head out to the desert for recreation. To make sure they are aware of your presence, consider approaching them, wishing them a great day, and asking if they plan on moving and shooting in any other location. This way, they know where you are, and you know where they will be. Remember, you should be heading west if they are shooting toward the east. No matter who you meet, a wave and sometimes a few words can make the day more enjoyable. All have a right to enjoy the desert.
The Nevada landscape offers so many wonderful sights. Unfortunately, there is one not-so-wonderful desert sight we often encounter in our area – trash. Trash is usually found in spots with easy access to dirt roads. Unfortunately, finding a bit of litter in the form of fast-food trash is practically an American tradition. But a much bigger problem develops when it becomes dumping. Large items and appliances like washing machines, toilets, and swamp coolers are often discarded in the desert, as is old furniture, burn barrels, wire, and household trash.
Trash in the desert can jeopardize wildlife and its habitat. Discarded objects can trap animals, making them easy prey for predators or leaving them to die slowly of dehydration or starvation, not to mention what it does to the delicate desert ecosystem.
It makes a person wonder why.
Why do some individuals spend time, fuel, and energy driving out to the desert instead of simply taking their trash to the transfer station or the landfill? Why, if taking most of these items to the transfer station is free, would they dump their old, unwanted items in the desert? The transfer station does have fees, but they are cheaper than the cost of gas to drive into the desert these days. There are better ways to create jobs for the other people who have to clean up after you than dumping items in the desert. Leaving trash in the desert is not how to create a positive example for your children.
Please take responsibility for yourself, your family, your home, and your planet. Let’s all work together and keep our desert clean.
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