“Responsible recreation activities have a crucial role in taking care of the National Recreation Areas, especially in times when recreation use peaks,” the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Rangers advised visitors this December. In the rugged 17-mile stretch of the Christmas Tree Pass, for years, there has been a tradition of adding color to the desert scene in the form of decorations hung on juniper bushes, strands of popcorn waving in the breeze, and even doughnuts and marshmallows on yucca spine skewers. However, this time, the message delivered by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Rangers has been different.
“The tradition is thought to have begun following the area’s proclamation as a National Recreation Area in 1964,” and it has evolved into an annual trek for some of the visitors. However, behind the festive tradition is an increasing price to be paid in terms of the environment. “The plastic ornaments and treats don’t just pick up and disappear after the holidays,” as the plastic begins to break down in the sensitive desert terrain. “Park staff have been working to clean up the area,” which this season alone took “30 hours to remove” when scattered across the pass.
For Ranger William Foster, who has protected this region for eight years, it’s not only an issue of trash, but it’s an issue of animal safety. “People place bagels, popcorn, doughnuts, and marshmallows on top of the tips of all yucca, and it’s like they’re using natural skewers,” he said. These are animal attractors, inviting them closer to the side of the road where these decorated trees are in abundance. “The longer they are in the road area, the greater chance they have of being struck by an automobile,” Foster said. These offers can also create animal dependency, which can make them ill, curious, and diminish their instinct to search for food.
Experts in wildlife management share similar views. The act of taking food to wildlife either deliberately or inadvertently may cause malnutrition, the spread of diseases, and near-human contacts and vehicles. If wildlife has been fed human food, these animals can develop a lack of natural caution, which can lead to aggressive interactions or deadly accidents, especially in areas near roads where automobile collisions are imminent.
But dangers lie beyond food as well. Hanging garlands, tinsel, and string lights have been known to entangle animals with antlers like deer and elk, hampering their movements, sight, and access to food. Wildlife officials in other states have also noted instances where animals were caught in Christmas decorations nonetheless and had to have their antlers lopped off for their freedom. Such stress can prove lethal with the added strain of the physically demanding seasons.
Another, more hidden danger posed by lighted holiday lights is light pollution. Artificial light can interfere with the circadian rhythms of nighttime animals, making them more susceptible than usual to predators and accidents. As reported in research studies investigating the effects of holiday lightings, even temporary exposure to bright light sources can confuse bird species, disrupt their feeding behaviors, and cause plants to burst into premature bloom.
The Lake Mead park rangers’ tradition is based on the principle of “leave no trace,” which encourages visitors not to leave their mark on public properties. The call for this year is different because previously, the tradition had gone on, despite warnings against littering and graffiti in other parts of the park.
Foster recognizes the emotional pull of the tradition. “I like Christmas as much as the next person. I feel a little Grinch-like taking the decorations down,” he admitted. However, “I do encourage people to come and evaluate the natural beauty of the pass itself and its significance—the location is near the Spirit Mountain, which is significant or spiritual to many Native American tribes.”
“I don’t think it enhances it in any way to put Christmas decorations on it,” he continued. Rangers aren’t asking visitors to leave or refrain from enjoying activities like hiking, camping, rock climbing, or drives. They do hope that visitors celebrating holidays in this nature preserve will leave only pictures and memories there and allow juniper and yucca plants to remain free of human decoration. To preserve nature during celebrations, conservationists recommend re-use of premises decoration, positioning of lights high where they won’t entangle wild animals, and skipping food decoration. With this in mind, the message from Lake Mead comes through strongly as the season progresses: ‘Let the desert remain wild, unscathed by the wrappings of civilization.’
