Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has been awarded Leave No Trace’s Gold Standard Site designation, an honor awarded to parks and protected areas that demonstrate excellence in implementing the Leave No Trace principles which are essential in minimizing the impact of natural resources and ensuring a sustainable future for outdoor recreation. Red Rock Canyon earned the recognition for its role as a leader in promoting responsible enjoyment in the great outdoors.
The official designation will be awarded on April 5th, 8 a.m. at the South Oak Creek Trailhead on State Road 159.
“Leave No Trace is thrilled to announce Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area as a Gold Standard Site,” said Dana Watts, Leave No Trace Executive Director. “Red Rock Canyon is beloved by many and plays a critical role in Leave No Trace education. Red Rock Canyon and their partner of 41 years, Friends of Red Rock Canyon work hard and are dedicated to protecting natural spaces, which means they are a leading force in the Leave No Trace movement and an example of how to implement education effectively.”
In order to be designated as a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site, parks and protected areas must meet the following criteria:
- Formally train staff in Leave No Trace and outdoor ethics and provide education to visitors
- Successfully implement Leave No Trace outdoor skills, practices and ethics into management
- Demonstrate a commitment to preserving the health of the area
“Leave No Trace is extremely important to us at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area,” said Catrina Williams, Red Rock/Sloan Field Manager. “We are honored our work is recognized with this designation.”
“For forty-one years, our volunteers have led by example to meet the Leave No Trace guidelines,” said Christina Bishop, Executive Director of Friends of Red Rock Canyon. “We will continue our education efforts as we bring new volunteers to help take care of these beautiful public lands.”
About Red Rock Canyon NCA
Red Rock Canyon NCA was designated as Nevada’s first national conservation area. It is located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159. The area includes a 13-mile Scenic Loop Drive, miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking and nature observing. Almost 4 million people a year visit Red Rock Canyon NCA from all over the world.
About Friends of Red Rock Canyon
Friends of Red Rock Canyon, founded in 1984, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the preservation and enhancement of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area through volunteerism, philanthropy and education. The first friends group in the BLM system nationwide, Its members donate on average 20,000 hours of their time and talents to Red Rock Canyon NCA annually — the equivalent of 13 full-time employees. As the philanthropic arm, Friends has donated over $2,000,000 in goods and services.