THE LAS VEGAS WATER VALLEY DISTRICT

Mojave Desert Preserve

A proposed a 16-acre interpretive facility dedicated to teaching new and existing residents how to live sustainably in the Mojave Desert. The facility was named the Mojave Center. The team was then asked to provide a master plan for property across the street showing how to not destroy biological and cultural resources located at the original vegas or springs for which the city is named. See Mojave Center Research Report

Mojave Desert Preserve - Field Analysis

A comparative analysis of thirteen botanical gardens and interpretive centers in the U.S. Southwest. This document interprets information recorded by the Schematic Design Team during the summer of 1998. The field trips recorded yielded valuable lessons to the Team as it immersed itself in the community-based design models for the Mojave Desert Preserve and tested the conceptual Master Plan. The information was also valuable to the Las Vegas Valley Water District management staff, to Foundation members and staff, and to the Board of Trustees during the process of all teams working together to seek a common vision and scope for the Preserve. Finally it was used to foster and guide discussion in public forums. See Mojave Desert Preserve Master Plan

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

After conducting archaeological and biological surveys, we recommended converting the Mojave Center into a 180-acre interpretive center with the added mission to interpret the history and biology of Las Vegas. For eight years, we led teams of private sector consultants on pre-planning the facility. Today The Springs Preserve contains and interpretive facility, demonstration gardens, an interpretive trail through the original ranch and springs, restored wetlands, and an outdoor amphitheater. See Las Vegas Springs Preserve Research Report.