Green

PHOTO/SAGE LEEHEY

Dawn Harris studies in the Center for Molecular Medicine between classes.

All fracked up

The possibility of fracking in Nevada awakens environmental activists

To frack or not to frack? This question is asked by more and more people as decisions are being made about whether hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, by Noble by Energy Inc. will be allowed in northeastern Nevada.

Sage Leehey While the public is divided on this issue, Dawn Harris, founder of sagel@ the Frack Free Nevada website and Facebook page and a University of newsreview.com Nevada, Reno student, believes fracking is dangerous and should be stopped—at least until further research can be done. “It’s our water and our air,” Harris said. “We cannot survive without it. We need to protect these things.” The main issue Harris has with fracking is that there has not been enough research done on the topic for various reasons. She wants the practice to halt. “I think that we need to have a moratorium until there’s science that can say what the effects are,” Harris said. “A pharmaceutical company cannot issue a drug unless it’s tested. Why is this industry allowed to perform all of these actions without any testing to prove that it is safe?” Through her own research, Harris has spoken to people in areas where fracking has been done to see how it has affected them. She has found various health issues. She stated that the industry claims these are not scientific, only anecdotal, but Harris doesn’t feel this is reason to dismiss these findings. “It’s a very wealthy, very powerful industry, and they want to protect their interests,” Harris said. “The people experiencing the problems are just everyday citizens. They don’t have anything to gain by standing up and saying, ‘Hey, I’m having nosebleeds, and my horses’ hair is falling out. The horses are having nosebleeds. Livestock is dying. And my children have asthma now.’” Harris is currently looking into the implications of fracking on public health through her personal and university studies. Although Harris does not agree with the practice of fracking, her goal is to raise awareness and general knowledge of fracking so people can make educated decisions about it. Harris reached out to the Sustainable Energy Network on campus to get Gasland and Rooted Lands—documentaries on fracking—shown on campus April 2 and 7 as part of this. The Senate Committee Harris wants the public to realize the issue of fracking is not a matter on Natural Resources of choosing sides but choosing what’s good for the country’s health and will hear a bill, S.B. 390, that will ensure that hydraulic future. She believes the industry has created a division in the public to deal with this issue, pitting people against each other who aren’t neces fracturing in Nevada sarily at odds. does not happen “They put people who are trying to have money to raise their families without environmental protections. For more information about against people who are trying to protect our air, water, soil and our way of life,” Harris said. “If we didn’t have that division, if we could see the bill, go to www. we are all on the same side trying to protect our basic rights to raise our leg.state.nv.us/ families and eat good quality food and drink clean water and breathe

Session/77th2013/ Reports/history. cfm?ID=917. clean air, the industry wouldn’t be able to stand.” When reached by email to comment on the issue, Noble Energy said it would provide responses to our questions, but at press time, has not. Ω

Educational Workshops

Running throughout the day in two locations. Attend at least 2 workshops during the day and receive one of 600 prizes from the Prize Gallery!

Conservation Zone Workshops

This area will include local organization booths with fun, interactive and educational activities for kids and adults. There will also be a “Picnic for Earth” area with available picnic blankets so that visitors can relax on this beautiful day. Great Basin Bird Observatory – Bird Identification and Research.

Sponsored by

The Great Basin Workshops

Focusing on the Great Basin region – wildlife, ecology, natural resources, issues, etc. • Reno Herpetological Society – Reptiles – lizards and turtles • Plastic Free Reno - Make your own reusable bag from a T-Shirt • River School Farm – Backyard gardening and worm soil

2013 Earth Week: April 15-19, 11AM-2PM

The University of Nevada’s Earth Week will help kick-off Reno Earth Day! Learn about options for more sustainable living through educational programs and demonstrations focusing on sustainability and examples of green campus and community resources.

Visit the Reno Earth Day booth at UNR’s Earth Week on Thursday, April 18th for a special token which can be redeemed for a prize at the big event on Sunday. For more info on UNR’s Earth Week and a complete schedule of events, scan:

Little Explorers’ Expedition

Something special at Reno Earth Day this year, especially for kids, The Little Explorers’ Expedition is a treasure map game, mapping out many of the kids’ activities throughout the event. The map will highlight all types of activities from arts and crafts to planting seeds, role playing and storytelling to learning games and exercises. Activities cater to kids ages 3-12 and all include some type of interaction for 5-15 minutes. Kids completing at least 5 of the activities on the map can turn in their maps for a special treasure at the Reno Earth Day Prize Gallery. This integrated approach allows families to remain together in what is considered a family event. Please come show your support and feedback, and bring the kids for an exciting and educational adventure!

Animalia Kingdom

The Animalia Kingdom is a pet friendly zone, with doggie day care available for you to utilize while you visit the rest of the event! You’ll find pony rides, dogs and cats available for adoption, education booths on area animal organizations and a pet fashion show (sign up by calling 775-771-1828).

Sponsored by

Reno Earth Day

10am-6pm, Sunday, April 21st Idlewild Park, Reno

For more info: www.RenoEarthDay.com Sponsorships/Donations: 775.762.0651 Vending/Exhibiting/Performing: 775.771.1828

BEST PRICE BYMAY 7

TAHOE

Photo by Bill Kozitsky

THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF FRIENDS OF BLACK ROCK / HIGH ROCK

Friends of Black Rock / High Rock assists in the management of the Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trail National Conservation Area (NCA). Education on fostering stewardship and preserving the regions unique character is a key focus, with boots on the ground action on the landscape. Straight from our mission statement, education requires an understanding of the fragility of the region and human impacts on wildlife, water, and ecosystems. Communication with cattle ranchers, ohv enthusiasts, hunters, campers and recreating families is part of the daily work at Friends.

In 1999, this non-profi t was established under the vision of the founding Board Susan L. Weeks, Susan Lynn, John Ryczkowski and Garth Elliot. The board’s fi eld work showed such strength as to open the door for a BLM grant to assist in funding projects in the NCA which continues today.

Friends is now in it’s fourteenth year and more strongly focuses it’s work in spring assessments due to drought issues which are facing wildlife and plant life in this area of northwestern Nevada. Executive Director, Karen Dallett, is completing her fi rst year and is excited about this refocus, “For many years, Friends hosted the Visitor Contact Trailer every weekend from April to October sharing the wealth of cultural, wildlife and recreational information. Friends work has always been collaborative with the BLM and other partnering conservation non-profi ts at the annual Black Rock Rendezvous, at Steven’s Camp, Coyote Dunes, and hosting an interpretative camp annually at Burning Man. Friends managed the creation of the interpretative panels at the new Black Rock Field Station which tells an amazing story of emigrants, native peoples and nature. Now, we’re ready to be boots back on the ground in 2013 and beyond. The past was impressive,” Karen says, “Friends future is even more so.”

Board President, Debbie Lassiter and Vice President ,Will Roger Peterson, whole heartedly agree with this fresh focus. New staff member Stephanie McKnight, a botanist in ecological restoration, will lead the charge in the fi eld for twenty-fi ve volunteer projects from trail and land cleanups, drought and wildlife monitoring, and educational trips in 2013.

Over 150,000 people come to this NCA annually to hunt, bike, hike and play on the Lahontan lake bed fl oor, known as the playa and surrounding lands. These 1.2 million acres of public lands needs attention and Friends of Black Rock High Rock is there to be a force in helping mitigate impacts from all directions. Ms Dallett states, “It’s an honor to work on this landscape and be active in inspiring individuals to protect, and preserve this land for generations which are yet to come.”

Find out more about Friends of Black Rock High Rock today, www.blackrockdesert.org or call 775.557.2900.