Friends of the Black Rock/High Rock
Board Executive Committee meeting 07-15-2010
Conservation Chair Report
By Graham Stafford

I have just recently been elected to the board and appointed Conservation Chair. First, I want to assure the Executive Committee and the Conservation Committee that I take my responsibilities seriously and will give my responsibilities my best efforts.

Unfortunately it is mid-summer and I don't think I can really get anything going this year. But if any board or staff member has any ideas, please let me know.
I will list what I have been doing, what I'm planning and some other ideas.

1. The inventory of the 1200 or so springs in the conservation area is, of course, the primary concern for the Conservation Committee. I have downloaded from the Black Rock website and am reading the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area and Associated Wilderness Lentic (Small Springs) Workshop Report.

http://blackrockdesert.org/friends/national-riparian-service-team-situat...

2. I have started communication with Roger Farchon about the inventory, and asked to be added to the next volunteer training.

3. Roger Farchon has assigned Friends of Nevada Wilderness as the primary for volunteer service projects in the conservation area. I have a very good relationship with FNW, and I have been in contact with Shaaron Neatherton and Brian Beffort about Friends of the Black Rock/High Rock's involvement in this and all other service projects.

4. For my education on the conservation area I hope and wish to spend 2 to 3 days out in the area with Dave Cooper, Metric, Dave Book, Jim owner of the Soldier Meadow Ranch and any other board members who wish to join me. Through these people I wish to learn all about the conservation area. From them I would like to know about their favorite areas and their own conservation concerns. Because of my own personal time restraints this can't happen any sooner than Sept.

5. Through the Sierra Club I hold a Fall and Spring weekend digital photography Black Rock outing. From now on it will be featured as a Sierra Club/Friends of the Black Rock/High Rock outing.

6. I will look into having other outings in the conservation area.

7. I will be joining the Reno Photography Club. I hope to spark interest in the conservation area for the club.
8. I think it may be a good idea to have a photo contest for the Black Rock/High Rock.

9. I know many local artists. I will talk to some about how we may get them interested in the area.