Jewel of the desert

Let's talk about the Mojave Desert for a minute.

It is one of the smallest North American deserts (22,000 square miles), stretching from Southern California into parts of Southern Nevada, Northwestern Arizona and Southwestern Utah. Sometimes referred to as the High Desert, the Mojave is named after the Mohave tribe of American Indians, with boundaries defined by the presence of Joshua trees -- considered an indicator species for the desert. Beyond the Joshua tree though, the desert is believed to have between 1,750 and 2,000 species of plants spread across elevations ranging from 2,000 feet to 5,000 feet.

Beginning next week, many of these plants can be found at the Springs Preserve.

OK, now let's talk about the Springs Preserve, a $250-million project that is set to open Friday at 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Its 180 acres are an active preservation site, with archeologists, restoration ecologists and wildlife biologists ready to instruct and explain. Historically known as "Big Springs," the Springs Preserve is one of the most unique cultural and biological resources in Southern Nevada, featuring 5,000 years of local history displayed in two museums, water conservation gardens and 2 1/2 miles of hiking trails.

Pete Duncombe, curator of gardens at the Springs Preserve, knows just about everything about the gardens and the Mojave-native and non-native plants on display.

"Many of the plants were grown from seed collected in the Las Vegas Valley, making them genetically true and allowing them to easily adapt to the climate," he said. "Almost all the native cacti and Yucca species were salvaged from local lands that were being developed for residential or commercial use. We also restored thousands of plants and planted them throughout the entire Preserve, along with thousands of plants within the gardens. Our botanical garden was specifically designed to explore native and non-native plants, with information about landscaping techniques explained through interpretive stations and hands-on activity."

There are six distinct gardens that will feature themed classes and workshops throughout the year. The gardens are classifed as: Understanding the Mojave, Sustainable Home, Shaping Your Environment, Using Water Wisely, Outdoor Living, and Planting and Maintaining.

Within those garden groups are a Dr. Greenthumb office, a station where a gardening expert will be available for troubleshooting and to answer gardening and landscaping questions; the Watering Can Theater, an outdoor area seating approximately 35 for all aspects of irrigation instruction; the Frame House, a partially enclosed area with seats for 70 that features a kitchen area for outdoor cooking demonstrations; Design Demonstration, an outdoor interpretive exhibit that explores the principles of design and elements of garden art in a fun and whimsical way; and a display of retrofitted landscaping that compares water-smart landscaping to that of inappropriate desert landscaping.

Duncombe said more than 400 mature trees and plants, some 20 years old and over 30 feet tall, were transplanted from an existing garden to new locations throughout the site. Among those trees and plants on display are banana yucca, Death Valley monkeyflower, wide-bannered lupine, jumping cholla, Mojave prickly poppy, prairie clover, Lupinus arizonicus, desert rock pea, Mormon tea, barrel cactus, Pinus monophylla, Erigeron concinnus and desert candle. These plants have different irrigation systems. For instance, the restoration area showcases temporary irrigation that will be removed once the plants are established. The permanent gardens, even though drought-tolerant, still require minimal irrigation.

Among other exhibits at the Springs Preserve are a complete fruit orchard in individual containers, displays of various organic and inorganic mulches, a rose garden trellis and shade area, turf options that compare six different types of turf watered by subsurface drip irrigation, vegetable gardens in raised beds, hardscape displays such as brick, stone and treated concrete, and an exhibit featuring miniature houses representing different sun exposures and different microclimates.

Another attraction, The Trails, one of the most scenic components of the Preserve, has been left largely undeveloped due to the abundance of historical and archeological resources. Visitors can stroll the 2 1/2 miles of walking trails and interpretive overlooks, reliving the early settlement and development of Las Vegas.

"This is an incredible place, unique to this region," said Duncombe. "In time, besides becoming a cultural and tourist attraction, it will be an awesome resource for students of all ages and for botanists, horticulturists and scientists from around the world."

Classes and workshops, some with a nominal fee, are scheduled to begin in the fall. Tours of the Springs Preserve, also beginning in the fall, will be led by trained docents. For more information, call 258-3205, or visit www.springspreserve.org.