Summertime events at River Fork Ranch

The Nature Conservancy hosts a guided nature walk 11 a.m. Saturday at the River Fork Ranch Preserve, 381 Genoa Lane.

The community is invited to participate in these free walks, which are held the second Saturday of each month from May-October and feature a different discussion focus depending upon the season. Additional dates are Aug. 10, Sept. 14, and Oct.12.

The topic for Saturday’s nature walk will be “How to use the iNaturalist App” and will be led by Suzy Miladin. In addition to volunteering at River Fork Ranch, Suzy is a UNR Extension Master Gardener.

The fourth Thursday of each month, TNC hosts a Science & Nature Speaker Series featuring TNC experts and presenters from partner organizations sharing their knowledge and information on a variety of topics. Sessions are 6 p.m. at the River Fork Ranch and have a suggested donation of $10.

On July 25, Stewardship Manager Chris Sega presents, “Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and Conservation at Independence Lake.”

Independence Lake Preserve, located about 20 miles north of Truckee, is “home to one of only two wild, self-sustaining lake populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout in the world…” (https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/independence-lake/). The preserve supports both wildlife and human populations and offers plenty of fishing, hiking, kayaking, and bird watching opportunities.

Remaining talks scheduled during this year’s series are: “Pinyon Jay Conservation: The Power of Community Service” by Great Basin Bird Observatory Biologist Ned Bohman on Aug. 22; “Can Markets Really Drive Conservation?” by TNC’s Large Scale Fisheries Director Mark Zimring on Sept. 26; and “Nevada Springs are…all about the Weather!” by Nevada State Climatologist and University of Nevada, Reno College of Science Associate Professor Thomas P. Albright, Ph.D., on Oct. 24.

The Nature Conservancy hosts Gentle Yoga 11 a.m. the fourth Sunday of the month with instructor Kathy Giebel at the RFRP from 11 a.m. Gentle Yoga is held the fourth Saturday of the month through October and has a suggested donation of $20 (50 percent of proceeds benefit TNC). Additional dates are Aug. 24, Sept. 28, and Oct.26.

Questions about River Fork events may be directed to Preserve Manager Lori Leonard at lori.leonard@tnc.org.

Library hosts third annual Tiny Art Show

As a complement to the 2024 summer reading program, “Adventure Begins at the Library,” the Douglas County Public Library is hosting a Tiny Art Show.

Community members are invited to stop by the Minden or Zephyr Cove library branch to pick up a free canvas and art supply kit (one kit per person). Participants may use colored pencil, crayons, markers, paint, or opt to affix a photo to their canvas with glue.

Completed canvases and kits are due back at the library by August 23. Entries will be prepped for display and may be photographed and/or represented on the library’s website or social media accounts.

The art show will be displayed at both library branches through September, and participants may pick up their entries from Oct. 1-15.

Tiny art canvases are the planned activity for the Library’s Monthly Adult Crafters’ Club on July 17. The club is held at the Minden Library from 4-6 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month and is open to those age 18-plus.

No reservations are required, and participants may join the fun anytime during the two-hour session.

The Tiny Art Show and ACC are both sponsored by the Friends of the Douglas County Public Library (library.douglascountynv.gov/support_the_library/friends_of_the_library).

The Minden Library is located at 1625 Library Lane. The Zephyr Cove library is located at 233 Warrior Way. Connect with the DCPL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, on their webpage at library.douglascountynv.gov, or by calling 775-782-9841.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.