Nevada's master trainer teaches to Leave No Trace

Our congratulations to Fish Springs' resident Sylvia Arnett as she has completed the Leave No Trace train-the-trainer program and is now the only master trainer for the State of Nevada. The purpose of the program is to teach backpackers, stock-users and anyone who uses the backcountry how to minimize their impact on wilderness lands and primitive areas. Then they take what they've learned back to their community and teach others how to protect our natural resources.

The program was held at Ninemile Wildlands Training Center in Huson, Mont. That's where the main pack station for training rangers how to pack is located. The U.S. Forest Service furnished all the horses and gear for the participants for the four-days of riding and camping and learning all about Leave No Trace. Things like how to clean up everything in your camp, including how to get rid of human waste. Be considerate of others. Don't be loud or messy, as it's not pleasant for other campers. When you leave you want to look back at your campsite and not be able to tell anyone was there, and remember to always stay on established trails.

"If we don't take care of the land, the government will take our right to use it. We're really concerned about our right to hike and ride in our own backcountry. We need to start using the Leave No Trace principals," said Arnett.

There are about 35 members in the local Back Country Horsemen Chapter and she thanks them for paying for her expenses for the very informative program.

"I really enjoyed Montana's beautiful scenery with the mountain goats and moose I saw, but nothing was as beautiful as the High Sierra," said Arnett.

Now it's her job to get more people around here that are interested in becoming trainers. Then she will put on a two-day workshop out in the backcountry. Remember not to litter - it lasts too long - such as: aluminum cans, 100 years; plastic bottles, indefinitely; glass bottles, one million years; and fire shelters, 150 years. For more information about the local chapter of the Back Country Horsemen, call Truddie Arkell at 882-5239.

Just married: It just happened May 19 and they promised it would last forever. "Two lives, two hearts joined together in friendship and united forever in love." That's what the wedding announcement said and I think it's the truth. Both the bride and the groom are residents of Fish Springs and so are their parents.

John and Tami Pagen are the parents of Katie, and Rich and Cathy Hackler are the parents of Mike. (Also known as "Mikey" to his fellow firefighters). We wish them every happiness in their lives forever beautiful.

-- Linda Monohan can be reached at 782-5802.