Ranger Rick: Exploring the Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Long before the Las Vegas Strip took shape and mobsters ever thought about relocating their money to a desert oasis, Las Vegas was a cow town with natural springs and meadows.
The 180-acre Springs Preserve clings to Sin City’s original heritage with botanical gardens, interpretive trails through wetlands along with museums, galleries and outdoor events.
Step onto more than three miles worth of trails where you can walk or bike through a scene that early settlers saw when they dubbed the area Las Vegas, or the meadows in Spanish. Along the trails, you’ll find opportunities for bird watching, rare plants that thrive in the harsh Mohave Desert weather, wildlife and an archeological dig site.
The gardens offer displays of everything from an array of cacti from across the world to six different turf options with a visual comparison of how much water each takes to sustain.
The Desert Living Center is the place for children and adults to learn about how much energy is used to run the lights in the living room, how treasure can be found in your garbage and video games to teach about sustainability.
Not all displays are static or about desert life. Occasionally the Springs Preserve will welcome in a batch of animals that will make appearances at the outdoor amphitheater. Guests also get the chance to go behind the scenes with the animals on the weekends for a one-on-one experience with bearcats, lizards, snakes and more.
The Las Vegas Strip may preserve our right to gamble and have a good time, but the Springs Preserve holds on to another part of Vegas that has been long forgotten.
In addition to serving as a window to the past, the Springs Preserve is a look towards the future, home to the Springs Cafe, where you can enjoy delicious and sustainable food with a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip, the Farmers Market, shop for local, organic produce and other goods Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. as well as events, workshops and programs for all walks of life.
Here's a list of their upcoming events.
Skip the daycare and explore 180 acres of summer adventure! The Springs Preserve is offering 11 week-long summer camp programs for children ages 6 to 12.
When: Weekdays from June 11 to Aug. 24 | 09:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m.
Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964
Bittersweet Harvest" examines the experiences of bracero workers and their families through photographs and artifacts, providing rich insight into Mexican-American history, and historical background to today's debates on guest worker programs.
When: May 19 to July 29, 2012 | 10:00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Envenomators: The Venomous Snakes of North America
"Envenomators" tells the story of four venomous snakes indigenous to North America: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Coral and Rattlesnake.
When: June 4 to Sept. 16, 2012 | 10:00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Trash to Treasure: The Sculptures of Dave Thompson
Found-object artist Dave Thompson is the ultimate recycler: He finds discarded items -- often metal -- and transforms them into whimsical works of art.
When: March 3 to Sept. 9, 2012 | 10:00 a.m. - 06:00 p.m.
Deadly fangs! Menacing rattles! Crushing jaws! Challenge your curiosity and fears during this live show with some of Nevada's most toxic--and awe-inspiring--reptiles. Back by popular demand!
When: Daily from June 1 to July 15 | 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Deadly fangs! Menacing rattles! Crushing jaws! Challenge your curiosity and fears during this live show with some of Nevada's most toxic--and awe-inspiring--reptiles. Back by popular demand!
When: Daily from June 1 to July 15 | 01:00 p.m. - 01:30 p.m.
Bet on the Farm! Farmers Market
Every Thursday at the Springs Preserve, shop for a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as nuts, dairy products, coffee, and more, all grown and produced locally or regionally.
When: Thursdays | 10:00 a.m. - 03:00 p.m.
Bring your little ones for kid-friendly activities and stories, with new themes weekly!
When: Thursdays | 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Drop in and make a one-of-a-kind bird feeder. It's a fun way to bring some feathered friends to your yard!
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 10:00 a.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Kids, come in and paint a slithery snake.
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 10:00 a.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Mix and layer colorful sand to create a one-of-a-kind pendant you'll want to wear all summer.
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 10:00 a.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Join our experts for a free guided walk through our beautiful botanic gardens.
When: Saturdays and Sundays | 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Join our experts for a free guided walk through our beautiful botanic gardens.
When: Saturdays and Sundays | 01:00 p.m. - 01:45 p.m.
Kids, come in and discover the exciting world of volcanoes! We'll even create a powerful volcanic eruption of our own!
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 01:00 p.m. - 02:00 p.m.
Animals Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Get up close to lizards, bugs and snakes with zoologists in the animal care area.
When: Saturdays and Sundays | 02:00 p.m. - 02:45 p.m.
Reptiles in the U.S. and South America
"Reptiles in the U.S. and South America" (30 min.) takes you on a two-continent journey with host Jeff Corwin to see some of his favorite cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates.
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 02:30 p.m. - 03:00 p.m.
Join our experts for a free guided walk through our beautiful botanic gardens.
When: Saturdays and Sundays | 03:00 p.m. - 03:45 p.m.
Kids, come in and discover the exciting world of volcanoes! We'll even create a powerful volcanic eruption of our own!
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 03:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m.
Reptiles in the U.S. and South America
"Reptiles in the U.S. and South America" (30 min.) takes you on a two-continent journey with host Jeff Corwin to see some of his favorite cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates.
When: Saturdays and Sundays in June | 04:30 p.m. - 05:00 p.m.
Kick-off Independence Day week with family-friendly fun and patriotic music by the UNLV Community Band as the Springs Preserve hosts Red, White & Tunes.
When: Saturday, June 30 | 08:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
