Northeastern Nevada Conservation Volunteer
Cindy and Larry Hyslop
We all know Larry Hyslop. You may have met Larry volunteering at the California Trail Interpretive Center, Elko Sage-grouse Experience, Northeastern Nevada Stewardship, Friends of the Ruby Mountains, Public Lands Day, National Trails Day. Or one of many other non profit programs that benefit Elko County. Maybe you accompanied him birding, Christmas Bird Counts, or on Greater Sage-grouse lek surveys. What you may not know is that his wife Cindy is usually right there with him. Thus, this month’s shout out is to the Hyslop Team, who lend their hands each year to preserve and enhance the health of our Elko County community, landscape, and wildlife.
Cindy and Larry are retired from Great Basin College, where they practiced and honed their communication skills. They excel at forming and leading committees to mobilize volunteers in addressing community challenges. For example, in the restoration of Lamoille Canyon after the Range 2 Fire. We’ve watched them organize the volunteer team and lead the collaborative effort that creates the annual Elko Sage-grouse Experience. Former Elko resident Leta Collard initiated the event in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to see Greater Sage-grouse in the wild and observe their mating ritual. Since this activity usually occurs only in remote lands and only at dawn, the Experience has provided some lucky Nevadans an opportunity to witness this phenomenon in person.
Besides surveying sage-grouse, the Hyslops’ also provide the Nevada Department of Wildlife with winter data on eagle and raptor sightings along established routes. Larry has also chaired the sage-grouse local area working group, which uses the data in evaluating the health of the region’s rangelands. Trends in sage-grouse populations can reflect success in implementing rangeland improvements, or suggest the need to apply proactive solutions.
Cindy and Larry frequently volunteer at local education outreach events. Keep an eye out for them, say “Howdy!” and be sure to thank them for their service to the Elko community. You can join them at the Friends of the Ruby Mountains campfire talks each summer, or hosting their Lamoille Canyon visitor information booths. The Hyslops clearly embody the ideal that volunteering is family fun.
If you missed a previous story (or recipes), Everything Elko’s back issues are all online at everythingelko.com. We are featuring a conservation volunteer on this page each month. If you know of an active conservation volunteer who deserves community recognition, please email Susanne Reese at susannereese@earthlink.net.