Pershing County High School junior Annie Uhart has earned one of the Nevada Youth Range Camp’s highest honors, receiving the Trail Boss Award during the camp’s closing ceremony at Berry Creek Campground near McGill.
Uhart, 16, will be a junior this fall. As the Trail Boss winner, she received a plaque and a trip to the Society for Range Management’s national meeting in Wichita, Kansas.
At the national gathering, Uhart will join youth award recipients from other states and give a presentation on a range or public lands issue of her choosing.
“It’s a pretty big honor,” said Elizabeth Williams-McNeff Uhart, who shared news of the award.
The Trail Boss is selected by the Nevada Youth Range Camp staff based on a camper’s performance and participation throughout the week. Campers complete a plant identification test, navigate a compass course, maintain a journal and work together on a group presentation. Staff members also consider each camper’s attitude, leadership and overall participation.
Uhart was selected following a full week of activities focused on rangelands, wildlife, water, soil and natural resource management.
Campers participated in electrofishing with wildlife specialists to count and study fish, evaluated sagebrush habitat and learned about careers connected to Nevada’s public lands and natural resources.
The group also heard from farmer Dave Baker, who discussed the use of a hay steamer in agricultural operations. Other guest speakers represented the National Pony Express Re-Ride, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and natural resource internship programs.
The Nevada Youth Range Camp invites high school students from across the state to spend a week camping while learning about rangelands and the relationships among people, plants, livestock, wildlife, soil and water.
This year’s camp was based in the Berry Creek Campground area northwest of McGill, providing campers with a hands-on setting for studying natural resources.
The program has been held since 1961 and has introduced hundreds of Nevada students to range science and resource management. Many former campers have gone on to manage natural resources for their families, communities or government agencies.
Throughout the week, instructors challenge students to examine resource management problems and develop practical solutions. Campers learn to identify range plants and study how those plants support livestock, wildlife and watersheds. They also examine the connections between soil and vegetation and learn about wildlife habitat conservation.
A local rancher traditionally leads campers on a ranch tour and discusses the business side of range management. Students also work in teams to develop and present a rangeland management plan and take part in a conservation project.
Camp instructors and counselors include specialists from the University of Nevada, Reno; Nevada State Parks; the Natural Resources Conservation Service; Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Forest Service; Nevada Division of Forestry; Nevada Division of Conservation Districts; Nevada Department of Wildlife; and other organizations.
The schedule runs from early morning until evening and combines instruction, field projects, meals, recreation and campfire programs. Activities can include fishing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, wildlife presentations and conservation workshops.
Uhart’s selection as Trail Boss recognizes not only her knowledge and performance during the camp, but also the leadership, attitude and participation she demonstrated throughout the week.
Her next challenge will be selecting a Nevada range or public lands issue to research and present before fellow youth honorees at the national Society for Range Management meeting.
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