About our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:

  • agriculture, horticulture, rangeland & veterinary sciences
  • biochemistry & molecular biology
  • children, youth & families
  • community & economic development
  • health & nutrition
  • natural resources & environmental science

Healthy-aging team works to meet the needs of older adults in Nevada

Stay safe and be kind painted rock
Extension's healthy-aging team transitioned to virtual content and coordinated volunteer efforts for delivery services in rural areas of the state.

COVID-19 has led to major changes in the lives of all Nevadans and in some cases, new challenges, especially in the lives of the 454,221 homebound elders in the state. Extension’s Healthy-Aging Specialist Natalie Mazzulo, a member of the Nevada COVID-19 Aging Network Rapid Response Team, known as Nevada CAN, and her team are working to meet the unique needs of that population, especially those in rural areas. Ensuring that Nevada elders have accurate resource information for food sites, recruiting volunteers for delivery services and developing or transitioning activities to virtual content are just a few ways that Extension is responding to the needs of this community. Some of that content included a virtual yet hands-on learning experience on how to grow your own herb garden where Extension also provided the herb kits to seniors in Clark County.

Read more about Extension’s Healthy-Aging Program and its response during the pandemic

Beekeeping training program coming to southern Nevada

The Las Vegas community will soon have access to a full beekeeping training program. As pollinators, bees play a vital role in our ecosystems, supporting the growth of trees, flowers and other plants, making this new program a natural addition to the catalog of educational horticulture and gardening opportunities that Extension already offers. COVID-19 restrictions have delayed the full opening of the program hosted at The Center for Urban Water Conservation, a collaborative demonstration orchard between University of Nevada, Reno Extension and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but volunteer training is already underway.

Read more about this new program
Wooden beehive box with bees
Those interested in beekeeping will soon have the opportunity to learn this skill.

Education efforts address the root cause of addiction for incarcerated women

Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center
Healthy Steps to Freedom program focuses on the causes of addiction in an effort to provide gender-specific treatment for women.

In Nevada, there are now nearly as many female opioid overdose deaths annually as there are male opioid overdose deaths, with women accounting for 46% of the total. In addition, heroin-related deaths in women have increased at twice the rate of heroin-related deaths in men between 1999-2015. It’s also a major factor in why a large percentage of women are incarcerated, according to Associate Warden Najera at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, located in Las Vegas.

That’s why the work Extension is doing inside the correctional center and at women’s rehabilitation centers is so important. The Healthy Steps to Freedom Program recognizes that effective treatment is not one-size-fits-all and focuses on gender-responsive programming, designed specifically with the needs of women in mind, helping to educate the women on health and body image issues that often lead them down the path of addiction.

Discover the impacts of the Healthy Steps to Freedom Program

Vote Your Voice Program engages youth

In a recent virtual series, Clark County youth participated in a lecture and discussion workshop that focused on the impact of voting and how youth can influence the future of their community. Teens ages 17 to 19 were given a safe space to share their thoughts and feelings about issues impacting them and their community.

Discover more about the Vote Your Voice program
I'm so gonna vote yard sign
Workshops give teens the historical importance of voting and a safe place to discuss issues on students' minds.

Fall Prevention Month: advice from an expert

Man doing yoga pose
Staying active and stretching are just some of the ways to prevent falls as individuals age.

More than 15% of Clark County's population is at risk for what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports as the number one cause of preventable injury-related deaths for those 65 and older – falls. 

"While falling is not uncommon, it is also not a normal part of aging,” Extension Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Anne Lindsay said. Lindsay's academic research and interest includes programs and evaluations for older adults related to nutrition, exercise and health.  

According to Lindsay, fall prevention not only helps avoid injury but also helps to maintain the independence of individuals in the aging population. And, not only do falls harm and reduce the independence of the elderly, they also have an estimated medical cost of $50 billion per year to our health care system.

Read the full article on fall prevention

Extension welcomes two new Advisory Council members

Extension’s Advisory Council’s roster is full with the addition of new members, Laura E. Perkins and Maureen Schafer, who were appointed in August. Members serve three- year terms, providing advice and stakeholder input on decisions related to Extension, including budgeting, operations and programming during their tenure. These informed advocates also provide support and serve as advocates for Extension’s goals and plans.

Learn more about Perkins, Schafer and the role of Extension’s Advisory Council
Maureen Schafer (left) and Laura E. Perkins (right)
Maureen Schafer (left) and Laura E. Perkins (right) join Extension's Advisory Council.
Lemieux, S., Malloy, M., Wharton, C. 2020, Expanding Knowledge in Clark County | Vol 20, Issue 02, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Newsletter

Extension Associated Contacts

Shauna Lemieux
Shauna Lemieux
Molly Malloy
Molly Malloy
Claudene Wharton
Claudene Wharton
 

Also of Interest:

 
2024-2025 4-H Adventures Field Trips to Nevada 4-H Camp Alamo Adult/Teacher Survey Results
During the 2024-2025 school year, Clark County 4-H reached a total of 1,257 individual youth through Around the World in-school programming and 4-H Adventures Field Trips to Nevada 4-H Camp Alamo.
 Luna, Nora 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
4-H Program Evaluation Report for 2023-2024, Urban Clark County, Las Vegas, Nevada
This report documents the outcomes of the Clark Couny, Nevada 4-H program during the 2023-2024 program year.
 Luna, N., Solis, J & Christiansen, E. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Reports
Hoover Dam in Clark County, NV
Clark County Housing Infographic Set
This housing assessment offers an overview with four infographic fact sheets including Demographic and Economic Characteristics, Housing Supply, Housing Demand and Housing Affordability Analysis.
 B. Borden, J. Lednicky, A. Martinez, R. Visuett 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Clark County, Las Vegas, Nevada 4-H 2024-25 Program Evaluation Report
During the 2024-25 4-H program year, the Clark County Extension team reached 15,468 youth participants and delivered 6,155 hours of programming. The urban Extension team reached 12,654 youth participants, delivered 5,487 hours of programming, and delivered 421 programs at 113 pro...
 Luna, N., Solis-Leon, J., Morales, Y., & Christiansen, E. 2025, University of Nevada Reno, Extension, Report
Clark County, Nevada 4-H Youth Development Evaluation of 4-H Overnight Summer Camps 2025
This report presents the analysis of 116 surveys collected across four 4-H overnight camps conducted by Clark County Nevada 4-H. The report combines quantitative survey data with qualitative feedback to assess program effectiveness in four key developmental areas: relationships, ...
 Elgeberi, N. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Report