I have just completed my first month working for the Springs Preserve here in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I am happy to report that it has been a wonderful month.  The desert remains dormant due to a lack of rain, so our SOS work has been put on hold.  Luckily I have been able to keep busy with work in the plant propagation facility and have been up to my ears in plants preparing for the Springs Preserve’s biannual native plant sale.

A part of the work that I do at the Springs Preserve is managing native Mojave plants in the plant propagation facility.  Over the years the Springs Preserve has collected seed from native plants and, through experimenting with different propagation techniques, has determined which native plants can be grown in a nursery setting to be used for restoration projects.  Their plant trials have been successful and thus the Springs Preserve has grown thousands of plants from native seed.  As a fundraiser, these plants are sold every Spring and Fall to members of the community.

Preparing for the plant sale was a bit exhausting since most of the work entailed moving plants and metal signs, but the sale itself was an absolute blast.  It was great to chat with the locals and I loved seeing the plants that I cared for find a good home.  We were able to offer plants that are not only beautiful, but also drought-tolerant and adapted to Mojave Desert conditions.

Now that the plants sale is over, I am looking forward to spending more time scouting for plants for SOS.  So far I have found the desert to be breathtakingly beautiful and am excited to explore more.  Here is a photo of a desert favorite, the Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata).

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

Allison Clark

CLM Intern: Springs Preserve, Las Vegas, Nevada