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Nevada State Parks wants visitor feedback to help inform future decisions

Extension to help conduct survey project to assess needs and economic impact of parks

Molly Malloy

Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, dedicated in 1935. Photo by Nevada State Parks.

When visitors enjoy Nevada’s 27 state parks this summer, administrators want to hear from them – what they enjoyed about the park they visited, and what could be improved. They also want to know the economic impact the parks are having on Nevada’s communities. The money people spend as a result of recreating in the state’s parks often gets overlooked when looking at the state’s economy. To help gather input from visitors and measure the economic impact of the parks, Nevada State Parks has contracted with Extension’s Community and Economic Development Program.

The Extension program has developed and piloted a survey that will gather information from visitors to prioritize park needs and future parks projects, as well as measure the parks’ economic impact on the state. The full launch of the surveys will begin in all 27 state parks in July, and will continue for 18 months. Visitors who complete the survey will be entered into a quarterly drawing to win an all-access annual parks pass, which is valued at $250.

Extension worked with Nevada State Parks to identify the type of information that would be beneficial to collect to help make informed decisions in the future, created a survey tool using this input, and then trained State Parks staff to administer the surveys. For the duration of the surveying period, Extension’s Community and Economic Development team will provide an ongoing analysis of the data collected. At the conclusion of the survey period, Extension will provide a complete analysis and report.

‘Gold standard’ accreditation signals commitment to animals

University awarded full reaccreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Care International

Jane Tors

Caring for animals in farm settings are (left to right) our College’s Experiment Station Assistant Director Bo Kindred, Main Station Field Lab Livestock Coordinator Cara Goss and Experiment Station Assistant Director Scott Huber, as well as University Animal Resources Veterinarian Walt Mandevillle.

Following a comprehensive site visit and review process, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) has confirmed continued full reaccreditation to the University. This voluntary and internationally recognized accreditation reflects the University’s commitment to go beyond the standards required by regulatory agencies to achieve excellence in animal care and use.

The University connects with animals in many ways, from those in research and teaching programs both in observed field settings and in campus laboratories, to those in the farm settings of our College’s Experiment Station unit. The University’s complex animal care program is overseen by Animal Resources, part of Research & Innovation, and is further supported by the faculty-led Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

In their exit briefing, reviewers noted that of the AAALAC-accredited programs around the world, the University’s is especially impressive since it represents one of the widest varieties of animal care settings. The University’s animal care program even includes public-lands grazing at the College’s Great Basin Research & Extension Center in Eureka, Nevada, and Gund Ranch Research & Training Facility near Austin, Nevada.

Extension completes director search

Jacob DeDecker brings lifetime of experience in Extension to lead programs in Nevada

Claudene Wharton

Jacob DeDecker will assume the role of director of Extension and associate dean for Engagement with the College on July 1.

He is a graduate of Coming Together for Racial Understanding, a program that helps participants develop multicultural communication competencies. Raised on his family’s farm in Illinois, DeDecker appreciates the importance knowledge and partnerships have on solving problems and helping people thrive.

“Extension has always been a part of my life,” DeDecker said. “I have seen the land-grant mission and Extension programs impact youth, families, producers and businesses, firsthand. As a result, I want to help expand Extension’s reach, including to those underserved in both urban and rural settings.”

In his appointment as Extension director, DeDecker will have offices on campus in Reno and at Extension’s Lifelong Learning Center in Las Vegas. He will also visit Extension’s many other offices across the state and will serve as a liaison for Extension with many organizations, including the Nevada Association of Counties and the USDA, Extension being a state-county-federal partnership.

Accomplished professor wins University’s Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award

Mae Gustin sets example for prioritizing student safety in labs with chemicals

Lydia Balle

University President Brian Sandoval presents the Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award to Mae Gustin.

Foundation Professor Mae Gustin, with the College’s Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, received the Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award at the 2022 Honor the Best ceremony, adding to the major awards she has received from the University and the Nevada System of Higher Education. The Honor the Best ceremony recognizes the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff and students.

The Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award recognizes Gustin’s leadership in implementing and evolving laboratory safety protocols that deal with chemicals and acids.

Gustin received the Researcher of the Year Award from the College in 2001 and 2015. Fast forward to 2018, when she was recognized by the Nevada System of Higher Education as the Nevada Regents’ Researcher of the Year for her work studying and contributing a new scientific understanding of atmospheric pollutants. Gustin continues to break new ground and innovate while conducting research at the University.

Gustin’s past accolades are extensive. She has 200 papers published in peer-reviewed journals and has served as lead or co-lead on nearly $12 million in grants.