100°F
weather icon Clear
Boulder City, NV
Opinion

Partnerships crucial to LMNRA

By Traci Decker National Parks Service
February 22, 2024 - 7:35 pm
 

In September 2023, Lake Mead National Recreation Area launched the More to Mead initiative. The project aims to deepen relationships with surrounding communities and tribes.

To accomplish this task, the park and partners seek to engage with the public to identify outdoor recreation opportunities beyond motorized boating. Ultimately, More to Mead seeks to sustain recreational opportunities and improve the economic interests of surrounding communities by planning for low-water scenarios. Identifying the wants of the Boulder City community will help the park prioritize projects that will engage the public in new and unique ways.

More to Mead is a collaboration between partners, and each organization brings a unique outlook in promoting outdoor recreation. The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program is focused on conservation. According to the organization’s website, its goal is to “support locally led outdoor recreation and conservation projects by assisting communities in developing or restoring parks, conservation areas, rivers, and wildlife habitats.”

Get Outdoors Nevada, Lake Mead’s official philanthropic partner, is the second key partner promoting outdoor activities. This nonprofit aims to connect all Nevadans to the state’s outdoor experiences through education programs, conservation events, and outdoor initiatives, including “Love Lake Mead” featuring our park. Their website states that their goal is to “Connect people of all ages and backgrounds to the outdoors by providing opportunities to experience, learn about, and care for our natural and urban outdoor space.”

The More to Mead project is also supported by the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition. The group is dedicated to “fostering connections and collaborations between businesses, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to build a more robust outdoor industry.”

Though Boulder City is a hotspot for tourism, the park and partners want to identify ways to maintain it well into the future.

The park and partners are working with the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, which recently received a Travel Nevada 3D tourism and marketing analysis award. Funding from the award was used to hire a consulting firm to work with community stakeholders to formalize community ideas through a steering committee and focus groups. The Chamber’s goals complement the NPS More to Mead initiative, and the two programs are joining forces to receive public comment.

“Boulder City residents value the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and its many amenities for outdoor enthusiasts, drawing millions of people to our community every year. Public input on a sustainable future is critical to a stronger community and improving quality of life for the area,” said Taylour Tedder, city manager of Boulder City.

To collect public input, Lake Mead NRA and partners are inviting all residents of Boulder City to participate in a community outreach event on March 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Center at 900 Arizona Street. Please join the discussion to identify the community’s ideas on improving tourism while keeping the spirit of Boulder City alive. The objective is to identify new outdoor recreation projects highlighting activities other than motorized boating while promoting economic interests.

For questions about More to Mead, contact Stefani Dawn at stefani_dawn@nps.gov.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
bcr default image
Now, that’s a really good idea !
By Rod Woodbury

We generally expect our leaders to be educated, smart, and well-informed. More often than not, we support, elect, and follow those who appear to have an answer for everything. But good leaders don’t know everything. And the very best ones know that they don’t know everything.

bcr default image
Sound decisions keep Boulder City costs down
By Paul Sikora Purchasing, Grants and Risk Manager

Boulder City residents occasionally ask how the city is able to have one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, and still provide needed functions such as police, fire, and public parks. In addition to land leases that provide 35% of our general fund budget, we also look at ways to keep costs down. As the city’s Purchasing, Grants and Risk manager for the last eight years, I have seen the city make decisions that keep us lean.

bcr default image
A quick heart-to-heart with BC
By Mayor Joe Hardy

I have a lot on my heart these days. The good news is that my heart is in great health. So… allow me to start with that.

bcr default image
Celebrating America with love
By Eric Lundgaard

The USA is the longest standing democratic republic in the history of the world. Much history has passed since the country declared its independence from Great Britain, hasn’t it? Even the king of England celebrated our independence by visiting the United States of America in April of this year.

bcr default image
The dog days of summer (vacation)
By Ron Eland

For most Boulder City kids, summer vacation is quickly coming to an end as classes are set to begin the second week of August.

bcr default image
Brace yourself for a fun school year
More than Books By the Boulder City Library

While the summer may be wrapping up, we have some great resources to help you get ready for school and some amazing programs in August. No matter what grade you are going into, whether it’s kindergarten or grad school, the library has a database or program for you.

bcr default image
My memories of Goldie Begley
By Ron Eland

For four years now I’ve covered the annual Boulder City Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards night. And for four years there’s a part that always gets me a bit misty-eyed.

bcr default image
Starry, Starry Night
By Rod Woodbury

This week is primary election week. And if we had a vote on pollution, I’m pretty sure what the outcome would be.