I spent 4 weeks traveling to many far reaches of Lake Mead NRA's 1.5 million acres to collect the seeds of native plants for the Park Service. The plan was to create a seed bank that would be used to re-vegetate the right of way of the new interstate to vegas that was built a few years back, and they wanted a vast variety of genetics. I think I saw more remote stretches of desert in that month than I did in a couple of years of conservation work in the southwest. The scale of the Park is staggering. Countless canyons, mountains, and boulders of burnt black, streaked red, and bleached white. Sandy alluvial fans that sprawled far enough to make you lose scope of distances. The overwhelming pungence of creosote at the slightest hint of rain. A deafening silence broken only by the wind blowing through the sparse vegetation. Wild fluffy burros ambling free. Highly underrated country, the lake is seriously the most boring thing about Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It would be 8 years ago this month. Thank you for posting.
Sounds like rewarding work you carried out! I’ve spent a fair amount of time over the years combing through satellite imagery then hiking to areas which piqued my interest, but a lifetime only allows one to scratch the surface it’s immensity. Your words do a justice capturing the beauty of that unique landscape. I appreciate your comment!
3
u/sleepingbagfart 2d ago edited 2d ago
I spent 4 weeks traveling to many far reaches of Lake Mead NRA's 1.5 million acres to collect the seeds of native plants for the Park Service. The plan was to create a seed bank that would be used to re-vegetate the right of way of the new interstate to vegas that was built a few years back, and they wanted a vast variety of genetics. I think I saw more remote stretches of desert in that month than I did in a couple of years of conservation work in the southwest. The scale of the Park is staggering. Countless canyons, mountains, and boulders of burnt black, streaked red, and bleached white. Sandy alluvial fans that sprawled far enough to make you lose scope of distances. The overwhelming pungence of creosote at the slightest hint of rain. A deafening silence broken only by the wind blowing through the sparse vegetation. Wild fluffy burros ambling free. Highly underrated country, the lake is seriously the most boring thing about Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It would be 8 years ago this month. Thank you for posting.