Author and retired educator Terry Lee Marzell recommends exploring Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada. The area is a great place for teachers who are looking for ways to include environmental lessons in their curriculum. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

Teachers are often looking for ways to include environmental lessons in their curriculum. Given the fact that field trips, especially field trips to places far from home, are difficult anytime, but especially during a pandemic, teachers could help their students explore natural environments virtually. A place I recently visited that would make a good lesson for students was Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Red Rock Canyon was designated as Nevada’s first National Conservation Area. The area is visited by more than two million people each year. Administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Red Rock is an area of international geologic interest. The area encompasses 195,819 acres within the Mojave Desert and features a diverse mix of plants and animals, from seasonal wildflowers and wildlife to year round plants and animals.

My husband and I visited the conservation area last month. We took the 13-mile scenic drive, with a couple of stops to take a little nature walk. We took a short hike down into a canyon to explore some rock formations. Rock climbing is also available for those who are interested. In fact, there are 26 different hikes, climbs, and trails of different degrees of difficulty that can be explored, from the deepest canyons to the highest points.

Of course, not everyone can visit the area in person. But you can find a variety of instructional resources online. You can view Teacher Resources, which provide teachers with information and resources about Red Rock Canyon and the surrounding area, and also offers general teaching aids. Also, you can browse these links: Red Rock Canyon A-Z, Wildlife Wednesday, and Flower Friday where you will find articles to learn more.