GBNP AIR Brings Wild to City

The streets of Reno gained a new splash of wilderness - thanks to a collaboration between art and conservation. Our recent Artist in Residence at Great Basin National Park, Meghan Catherine Dragon, was invited to design artwork for one of Reno’s public signal boxes. She transformed an everyday urban fixture into a striking tribute to Great Basin National Park’s rich biodiversity. Meghan chose to highlight some of the region’s most vulnerable inhabitants - endangered and threatened species - as well as animals that have made a comeback through dedicated conservation efforts. 

Meghan relates the following -

My design concept is a celebration of Great Basin National Park. My time in the park as artist-in-residence not only showed me the importance of preserving crucial habitats, but also the difference that conservation efforts can make in protecting and recovering sensitive species. My design highlights these vulnerable animals as a call to action, emphasizing what is at risk of being lost. Many of these species can only be found within Great Basin, making their protection even more critical. Alongside these species, I’ve included animals that have been successfully reintroduced through conservation efforts, such as the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, serving as a hopeful reminder that restoration is possible. The Bighorn Sheep, Pygmy Rabbit, Townsend’s Big Eared Bat, Greater Sage Grouse, and Bonneville Cutthroat Trout are intricately formed from plants native to the national park. A Great Basin Rattlesnake coils in front of the silhouette of Wheeler Peak, grounding the composition in the park’s iconic landscape. My greatest hope is that this design will honor Great Basin National Park and inspire people to advocate for the protection of our natural spaces.