Thank you to all of the decades of advocates who have worked tirelessly to preserve this unique natural wonder that we are proud to call home. We are ever indebted to all who have fought to keep open space, dark skies and rural areas protected for all to enjoy. Much gratitude to everyone who sees Washoe Valley as a unique beautiful space to protect for all sentient beings...Much love to you all !!

New Year Message from Gail B. – South Valleys resident! Washoe Valley, Photo of Bellevue Exit Kiosk U.S. Hwy. 395 Washoe Valley, Nevada Learn about history of Washoe Valley by Discover the unique history of visiting Nevada Historical Markers Washoe Valley through videos and photographs along the Washoe Valley Scenic Byway. shared on these websites. Brochures are available at Davis Creek Park and State Park. Scanning the QD code on the back of the brochure will take you to Washoe County Parks www.washoevalleyalliance.org to learn more about www.washoecounty.us/parks/park each marker and the history of Washoe Valley.

Washoe Valley Alliance Parks Foundation www.washoevalleyalliance.org www.tmparks-foundation.org/new-washo-city-park Public land acquisition began in1946 in effort to protect natural resources, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities in and around Washoe Valley.

McEwen Creek Conservation Easement 2020 320 Create an unfragmented acreage of wildlife habitat and mature pine stands. 50 acres 1969 – 400 acres

1994 - 20 acres

New Washoe City Park 1982 20 acres 1988-1999 kkkkkk

- 8,053 acres

“ was established in 1977 to preserve a portion of Washoe Valley for future generations to enjoy. With both land and water-based recreation opportunities, there is something for everyone. In the wake of the rapid urbanization of nearby Carson City and Reno, the park is a treasure to be protected.”

Bureau of Land Management Winter’s Ranch 2002- 2015 1,800 acres U.S. Forest Service

Bowers Mansion 2002 179 acres Forest Service land, trails, riparian area

Ophir Creek 2009 69 acres Connecting trail from to Davis Creek

McEwen Creek 2020 320 acres Forest area

Rusk Conservation Easement 45 acres near Wilson Commons Park

23,835 acres In 2004, Washoe County Planning invited citizens to join with the many dedicated Citizen Advisory Board members and concerned citizens to form the South Valleys Area Plan Update Working Group. The South Valleys Area Plan would become part of the Washoe County Master Plan. A large number of volunteers from West Washoe Valley, East Washoe Valley, Pleasant Valley, and Galena/Steamboat areas included business owners and residents. They worked with agencies, organizations, and Washoe County Planners. Draft plans were reviewed and discussed over the next six years. The final plan was adopted in September 2010.

Washoe County Parks suggested that citizens apply for designation of a Nevada State Scenic Byway in Washoe Valley. Volunteers from the Washoe Valley Working Group and Scenic Nevada completed the application that described the Scenic, Natural, and Cultural features as well as the Economic Development and Transportation assessment along every segment of the twenty- mile drive around Washoe Valley. The completed eighty- page application included maps and photographs for each assessment category. After many public meetings and consultation with all interest groups, the Washoe Valley Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan was completed. Nevada Department of Transportation’s Director, Susan Martinovich, officially announced the Washoe Valley Scenic Byway designation on February 25,2010 with Governor Jim Gibbons. Cheryl Surface, Washoe County Parks Planner, and representatives of the Washoe Valley Working Group and Scenic Nevada were present. With the guidance of key founder, Carol Christensen, Washoe Valley Alliance, a Nevada non-profit 501 (c) (3) was established and incorporated in March 2013.

“Protecting Washoe Valley’s Unique Qualities through Education and Stewardship.”

Carol Christensen Gary Houk Retired from Desert Research Institute President Nevada Land Conservancy Volunteer Local Business Owner Thank you to Courtney Meredith, Chris Meredith and Tucker Monticelli of Design on Edge for their generous donation of an amazing amount of time in the development of the Washoe Valley Alliance website and the Nevada State Washoe Valley Scenic Byway brochure. www.washoevalleyalliance.org The first Celebrate Washoe Valley was May 2014 at Washoe Lake State Park. The thirty-five governments agencies and community service organizations that support Washoe Valley enjoyed meeting and sharing information with neighbors and visitors to the valley. Learn more about participants and sponsors at www.washoevalleyalliance.org.

Karen Critor Director of Celebrate Washoe Valley

Karen, retired Washoe County School District teacher is pictured with her husband, Chris. Members of Washoe Valley Alliance receive notification of opportunities to volunteer with these organizations.

This notification is sent four times a year.

Washoe Valley Alliance, in cooperation with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, schedules clean-ups of Eastlake Blvd from Old Hwy 395 to the Truckee Meadows Protection District Station 32 along Little Washoe Lake (a distance of 1 mile) on designated Saturdays at 9:30 AM. Meet at the dirt parking lot at the corner of Old Hwy 395 and Eastlake Blvd. Safety vests, pickers, trash bags and latex gloves are provided. You might wish to bring heavier gloves. Please allow one to one and a half hours. West Washoe Association

• The West Washoe Association (WWA) is a Nevada not-for-profit corporation that exists to protect the interests of Washoe Valley and its residents. • The WWA evolved from previous homeowners’ associations that had done so much to preserve the rural quality of life in Washoe Valley. The WWA provides information on local issues, creates a line of communication between and among residents and communicates our interests to elected officials. • The WWA is an all-volunteer, non-profit group of residents and property owners from the west side of Washoe Valley who are concerned about how their rural quality of life may be affected by land development. One focus has been to defend the South Valleys Area Plan (SVAP), developed over a period of years with substantial input from WWA and approved by Washoe County. Another focus has been on public safety, with an emphasis on fire and emergency medical services. • The WWA also conducts an annual volunteer Spring cleanup of the Franktown Road and Old U.S. Route 395 roadsides. • WWA Board Meetings are held throughout the year on an as-needed basis. All West Washoe Valley residents and property owners are encouraged to join the WWA and to attend the meetings. • Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the WWA was inactive during 2020. • You can contact the WWA at [email protected] or PO Box 1022, Carson City, NV 89702. Friends of Washoe Lake State Park

Pam Wilcox Founder and Director Administrator of the Division of State Lands, retired. Little Washoe Lake The Truckee Meadows Regional Plan Update 2019 was completed through the cooperative effort involving many individuals, agencies, and organizations. Washoe Valley is a designated Rural Area. Hope is that community spirit to preserve and protect Washoe Valley for future generations stays alive!