Its been five years since Nevada Public Lands Day was established on September 25, and people across the valley went out to celebrate everything Nevada has to offer.
Since being established by then-governor Brian Sandoval in 2017, events have been organized each year to celebrate the outdoors and raise awareness about conservation of public lands.
Park entrance fees were waived at Nevada State Parks, including Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead.
Saturday is also National Public Lands Day, meaning national parks around the country also waived entrance fees.
One of today's events took place at Mountain's Edge Regional Park, where advocates participated in a scavenger hunt and park cleanup.
The event saw a limited number of participants as well as social distancing and masks protocols being in place due to the ongoing pandemic.
A statewide virtual event was set to take place in the afternoon to get more people involved in today's activities while ensuring everyone's safety.
The event featured a virtual hike at Ash Spring Trail in Red Rock Canyon and prerecorded messages from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen, Congresswoman Dina Titus, Congresswoman Susie Lee, Congressman Steven Horsford, Governor Steve Sisolak, and Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft.
"Nevadans have a deep appreciation for our public lands and waters and recognize the historical, cultural, and economic value they provide to our communities," said Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, who spoke at a press conference following the park cleanup. "National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to celebrate these valued spaces and recommit to doubling down our efforts in the conservation of these treasured spaces for future generations."
Also at the press conference, Treasurer Zach Conine spoke about the economic impact that outdoor recreation brings to the state of Nevada.
"Nevada's outdoor recreation economy supports 87,000 jobs and generates over $12.5 billion in annual economic activity," said Conine. "We have a responsibility to protect and preserve our public lands so that we can support one of the State's fastest-growing economic sectors."
Groups organizing the events include Chispa Nevada, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Get Outdoors Nevada, Institute for a Progressive Nevada, Native Voters Alliance of Nevada, and Nevada Conservation League.