Mining, Ranching and Nevada's Public Lands.

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 Over 80% of Nevada is public lands, the highest in the country. Some of that is managed by the US Forest Service and Nevada State Parks, but most of it is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. Public lands allow for all types of uses, from camping, off-roading, over-landing, hot spring hunting, rock hounding and pretty much anything else you can think of. The BLM also grants leasing access to grazing and for mining – two of Nevada’s big legacy industries, both of which have shaped the current state since American settlers came in the 1800s.

Public land is even enshrined in the Nevada state constitution. The access to big open spaces is intrinsically linked with the identity of this place – whether that’s for enjoyment of the dark skies, the big swaths of sagebrush sea, or for industrial and agricultural use.

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 If you’ve got a story to share, submit yours to www.america250nevada.org/our-nevada-stories.

Nevada's Gaming and Urban Stories

One interesting fact about Nevada is that it’s the most urban state in America. Even though it’s made of huge tracts of open land, a huge percentage of the population lives in two metropolitan areas: Reno and Las Vegas. The history of these two cities is very different, but each of their stories – being in the state of Nevada – has been intertwined with the presence of gambling, which the state legalized in 1931. The casinos led to urban booms, often associated with the glittering lights, and the buzzy 24hr glow of downtown: Virginia Street in Reno, and one of the world’s most iconic main streets, the Las Vegas Strip.  Though these places have been tourist meccas for almost a century now, they’re also home to workers, academics, socialites and people from all types of fascinating backgrounds. Hear from a group of Nevadans who have worked and lived in the silver state's big cities.

There is no single way to become a Nevadan, so today we’ll hear from some folks who have found their own path into it.

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Our Nevada Stories is hosted by State Folklorist Brad McMullen. This podcast is part of America 250 Nevada, celebrating the voices of this place. For more information, visit https://www.america250nevada.org, and for future episodes subscribe to Our Nevada Stories on your podcast app. Support for Our Nevada Stories provided by the NV Energy Foundation and the Nevada Department of Tourism and Culture.

Introducing "Our Nevada Stories" - part of America 250 Nevada. A podcast exploring the Silver State through storytelling and oral history. Hosted by State Folklorist Brad McMullen.