Tree planting event will help restore area damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — It has been a long road to recovery for the Mount Charleston area. Last August, Tropical Storm Hilary caused extensive damage to the town, roads, hiking trails, and trees.

While the cleanup continues, there is now a need for the community to help rebuild the tree supply chain.

This includes planting up to 2,000 Ponderosa Pine saplings across the Cathedral Rock picnic area this Mother’s day.

Rosa Prasser is the site operations manager for Go Mt. Charleston and is spearheading this event.

“When you’re up in this area, you’re at a little higher elevation so this is a mixed conifer forest and you’ll see different types of trees. Ponderosa Pines are the really big ones and in the summer time they’re the ones that smell like vanilla if you stick your nose close to them,” explained Prasser. “We had a lot of people reach out to us who are interested in volunteering and helping with the recovery from the flood damage and we’re always willing to take their help.”

Tree planting is an important part of restoration to help preserve the local ecosystem.

“The trees not only keep the area from eroding and the soil from washing away, but it also helps with the wild life in this area. The wild life needs the trees and plants and everything around us to survive up here,” added Prasser.

Go Mt. Charleston is looking for 200 volunteers to plant the Ponderosa Pine saplings. Those trees can grow as high as 200 feet or more.

“We absolutely love having the community come up here. I think everybody feels like they have a sense of community and belonging and stewardship when they come up and help plant a tree or take care of this area by picking up trash and then they can come up later years with their children and they can see those trees growing up and see the work that they did. I think everybody is really happy to just lend a hand,” remarked Prasser.

The tree planting event will take place on Sunday, May 12th, 2024 with two volunteer times from 9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm.

If you would like to learn more about this volunteer opportunity or register, click here.

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