Owned and operated by the non-profit Las Vegas Valley Water District, the Springs Preserve is a 100-acre attraction in Las Vegas, NV. An unexpected natural escape from the sweltering heat of the Mojave, the Springs Preserve is known as “the birthplace of Las Vegas” and includes museums, trails, gardens and educational resources. 

While people typically think of slot machines, entertainment and the iconic Las Vegas Strip, the city owes its name to the oasis it grew from, as early Spanish settlers named it Las Vegas, meaning “the meadows”. Prior to these settlers, the natural springs served as an important water source for the Nuwuvi, or Southern Paiute people.

Among the usual cacti, succulents and palm trees, which often come to mind when considering arid or hot climates, the Springs Preserve hosts a vegetable garden and even roses. Preserved as a historical site, the area grants a glimpse into the importance and history of water resources. 

The botanical garden, located adjacent to the teaching garden, draws a lot of visitors every year, from human to insect. What’s planted now will provide resting spots and nourishment for the thousands of migrating monarch butterflies that will pass through the state in the autumn. 

The butterfly habit is a naturally seasonal exhibit, open each fall and spring, but the gardens are open year round. Rachel Williams, a former volunteer, described a memorable visitor experience from volunteering in the gardens. 

“It’s a gorgeous garden, and we’d get butterflies there in the fall too,” she said. “Some of the children would think our butterflies had escaped from their habitat.” 

She described a little boy approaching her after seeing a monarch butterfly in the garden. “He told me, ‘You’ve lost some of your butterflies,’” she said. 

In between migrations, the gardens are calm and almost expectant for the autumn months, when the monarchs will migrate through Nevada to the California coast. 

In addition to educational videos on their website, the Springs hosts classes in their teaching garden. Currently, the teaching garden times are Thursday through Monday, 8 a.m. to noon. 

Admission is free for members and is included with general admission. Availability does depend on weather, so it’s recommended to check the weather in advance as extreme heat conditions can result in cancellations of outdoor activities. 

More information about the teaching garden can be found on their website.