Don't forget to stop by the Pioneer Park clean up tomorrow morning from 9am to noon. Help with small trash pick up, graffiti clean up, and weed removal. If you can't make it out you can still help us by picking up any litter you see out on the trails when you are enjoying the Reserve. If you spot any large items, such as couches or refrigerators, please give us a call so we can get them removed. Remember to tell your friends that taking larger appliances and unwanted furniture to the county landfill is FREE so there shouldn't be any need for Reserve dumping. To learn more about the landfill please visit http://www.wcsw.org/ Have a great weekend out there!

Spring Cleaning at Pioneer Park has been re-scheduled! Come out this Saturday, March 24th, from 9 am to noon to help with trash pick-up, graffiti removal, and weed pulling. *Gasp* while scrolling through these "before" pics, and stay tuned for the gorgeous "after" pics next week... Thanks in advance from Washington County's Give Your Land a Hand committee for helping keep our public lands clean and beautiful.

As temperatures slowly creep upward, keep your eyes peeled for desert tortoises and other reptiles emerging from hibernation. In fact, we have already observed a desert tortoise (pictured below near its burrow), a gopher snake, and a Great Basin rattlesnake on a hike through Paradise Canyon last week. Some migrant bird species have already arrived, and many have begun to nest. Sound like springtime? Wait, it is springtime! Happy Spring Equinox!

Did you know the Dino Cliffs Trail has dino tracks about 200 yards from the stepover? Some of those tracks were likely left by theropod dinosaurs, ancestors of today's birds. While out enjoying the prehistory, it's also a great time to spot some modern-day bird activity in the Reserve. The Red Tailed Hawks, Canyon Wrens, and Peregrine Falcons are out and about and ready for spring!

The first day of spring is right around the corner (March 20), and the desert marigolds have already begun blooming. Weather forecasts predict temperatures in the mid-60's with the possibility of rain next week, aka, an excellent recipe for spring blooms! With April shaping up to be a sensory treat of wildflower colors and fragrances in the Reserve, we wish you "Happy Trails!"

We have a few spots left for our guided hike next Wednesday the 14th at 10 am. Trail steward Robert Wright will be leading a group along the Prospector Trail for a two hour moderate excursion. If interested, give Lacey a call at 435-256-6313 or email at lacey.mcintyre@washco.utah.gov. Have a great weekend everyone!

Join RCDR Trail Steward Robert Wright on a 2 hour hike along the Prospector Trail. If interested please contact Lacey at 435-256-6313 or lacey.mcintyre@washco.utah.gov for reservations and more information.

Did you know that Mojave Desert Tortoises live in the vicinity of Zion National Park? Last Thursday, middle and high school students from across Washington County learned a little about tortoises in Zion (and a lot about writing) at the debut Washington County Youth Creative Writing Workshop. Over 80 students attended and some of them went on nature hikes guided by staff from the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. After tortoise education, the young writers were encouraged to sit on the ground and use sensory language to describe the land from the perspective of a tortoise... "What food plants do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear?" See the article below for more info... https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2018/03/03/raw-this-workshop-inspires-young-writers-in-a-new-way-what-does-sandstone-taste-like/#.WqAJkmrwYdU

Are you a high school student or do you know a high school student interested in the outdoors? All high school students are encouraged to apply for the Color Country Natural Resource Camp. This year the camp will be held in the Mammoth Creek area of the Dixie National Forest from May 29th to June 2nd, with an application deadline of April 27th. Please visit this website for more information on the camp: http://ccnrcamp.org/