A variety of activities and events are planned at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the coming weeks. These include:
n Lake Mead Institute Night Sky Program, May 10: Meet with the institute and Outside Las Vegas Foundation to learn about the planets and the moon. Meet at the Railroad Tunnel Trail before 7 p.m. Hike on the Historic Railroad Trail, an easy 2.5 miles. To make a reservation for this program, call 702-293-8990.
n Native Seed Collection Day, May 10: Join park staff in an effort to collect native seeds for future restoration projects. Volunteers will be trained on the specific plants the nursery needs seeds for future projects and how to collect the seeds correctly. This is a great opportunity to learn about native plants and the restoration process at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Bring a lunch and plan to spend six hours in the park. Space is limited to the first 20 people. Register by contacting Christopher Pietrafeso at 702-293-8711 or Christopher_Pietrafeso@nps.gov. For more information, visit www.getoutdoorsnevada.org/events.
n BBSC Your Cause Sports Triathlon, May 10: Around 400 athletes will race through the recreation area during the BBSC Vegas Sunrise Tri Du Run. In addition to spring and Olympic triathlon courses, the race includes a duathlon course, a 5K run and a kid’s triathlon. Visitors to Lake Mead may experience delays along Lakeshore Drive and Northshore Road. For more information, visit www.yourcausesports.org.
n Lake Mead 50th Anniversary Summer Kick-off, noon to 4 p.m. May 17: The recreation area is turning 50 this year, and the National Park Service and its partners are throwing a party to celebrate. Come out to Hemenway Harbor to learn about the park’s various recreation opportunities such as boat rentals, raft trips, bicycle tours, kayak lessons, scuba diving, fishing, hunting and more. There will be activities throughout the day, including cruises on Lake Mead, free vessel inspections, demonstrations and the chance to break a world record.
n Swim Las Vegas 10K Open Water Swim, May 17: About 300 swimmers will complete in an open water swim race at Boulder Beach. For more information, visit www.lv10k.com/10k-swim.html.
n Lake Mead Yacht Club Poker Run, May 17: About 200 boaters will join the Lake Mead Yacht Club on their annual Props and Wheels Poker Run. The event will take place at Boulder Basin. For more information, visit www.thelakemeadyachtclub.com.
n University Forum Lecture: America’s Wilderness, 6-7:30 p.m. May 17: Mark Harvey, author of “Wilderness Forever: Howard Zahniser and the Path to the Wilderness Act,” will speak at the Marjorie Barrick Museum on the UNLV campus, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Harvey will talk about Zahniser’s vision of America’s Wilderness and the writing of the Wilderness Act of 1964.