Nevada Silver and Blue - University of Nevada, Reno

Photo by Jean Dixon
On Campus
Carson Valley residents learn value of ‘Living on Land’
Mike and Robin
Catherwood have
learned many best
management practice
techniques for their 5acre
Carson Valley
parcel thanks to the
efforts of University of
Nevada Cooperative
Extension educators.
6 Nevada Silver & Blue • March/April 2004
After running a motel at Lake Tahoe for 25 years,
Mike and Robin Catherwood escaped from the
hustle and bustle and purchased their own 5-acre
slice of heaven at the
base of a beautiful
range in the Carson
Valley. Robin took up
horseback riding, and
has three horses.
There is an increasing
desire in the West to own
1-acre to 40-acre parcels,
like the Catherwoods’. Yet,
many of us don’t know
much about managing
these properties. And,
research shows that
good land stewardship is directly related to good
water quality. Needs assessments have shown that
more landowner education of landowners is needed
to improve water quality in the Carson River, which is
on the EPA’s 303(d) Impaired Waters List because of its
turbidity, temperature and phosphorus levels.
The Catherwoods and more than 900 other Carson
Valley residents are learning how better to manage
their properties with the help of University of Nevada
The Women’s Studies Program presents
Wednesday, March 3
■ YIDL MITN FIDL
Introduction by Deborah Acthenberg,
Department of Philosophy
Wednesday, March 10
■ STRUCTURES OF EVERYDAY LIFE
Introduction by Peter Goin,
Department of Art, and Pam Henning
Wednesday, March 24
■ BLUE VELVET
Introduction by Jeongwon Joe,
Department of Music
Wednesday, March 31
■ DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST
Introduction by Ann Keniston,
Department of English
Wednesday, April 7
■ EAST IS EAST
Introduction by David Fenimore,
Department of English
Wednesday, April 14
■ FAST RUNNER
Introduction by LaVerne Jeanne,
Department of Anthropology
Cooperative Extension’s “Living on the Land” program.
Cooperative Extension’s Susan Donaldson and
colleagues from eight other states collaborated to
develop a curriculum with 15 lessons on topics such as
well and septic care, pest and pasture management,
and efficient irrigation, many of which directly affect
our water quality. The curriculum is being used all over
the West. Donaldson and Cooperative Extension
colleagues Steve Lewis, John Cobourn and Mark
O’Farrell have taken the program to the Carson Valley,
providing 19 workshops to 924 participants last year.
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection provided
$91,328 to fund the two-year program, and Carson
Valley Conservation District and Western Nevada
Resource Conservation and Development are also
partners in the program.
Is it making an impact? Although it’s too early to
measure the effects on water quality, Carson Valley
residents like the Catherwoods are definitely taking
the lessons to heart. They have implemented several
of the best management practices (BMPs) taught in
the workshops. “Fortunately, the same land management
practices that lead to healthy landscapes and
productive pastures also help to protect our valuable
water resources,” O’Farrell says.
— Claudene Wharton
GENDER & IDENTITY IN FILM 2004
Wednesdays at 2:30-5:15p.m. ■ Presented by: Professor Mary White Stewart
Wednesday, April 21
■ HI, ARE YOU ALONE? (Hola, Estas Sola?)
Introduction by Joseba Gabilondo,
Center for Basque Studies
Wednesday, April 28
■ Film TBA
Introduction by Susan Chandler,
School of Social Work
Presentations are shown in the Getchell
Library, Projection Room 5 • All are
welcome on a “space-available basis”