A PROPOSAL FOR THE 1 OCTOBER MEMORIAL AND OUR FUTURE

THE COMPASS

THE MISSION: The Compass* will guide Southern Nevada’s future by nurturing awareness, appreciation, and actions that support the inter-relational wellbeing of humans, desert habitats, and natural resources.

Threatened. Our personhood. Our planet. Our peace.
es that humans, habitats, and all life systems are experiencing. It 
will designate mindful places of rest, reflection, and renewal that invite experiencing our living desert —including the four distinctive mountain ranges that encircle the Las Vegas valley — as a natural compass capable of grounding and guiding our journeys.

The Compass will nurture oneness with the natural world as we navigate our way to better mental, emotional, and physical health and the healing of our common home.  

THE WHY: The Compass was first envisioned just days after the 1 October tragedy to promote hope and healing, pay tribute to the compassion and courage of our community, and provide resources for continually nurturing our inner compasses by spending time in and with nature. 

Its prominent features will include: 

1) Cardinal Trails — Four mountain range trails representing the cardinal directions — the Sheep (north), Frenchman (east), McCullough (south), and Spring (west) — and featuring Compass Points will create The Compass framework.
2) Compass Points — Distinguished by flat natural stones engraved with core value words, e.g., Be Still, compassion, hope, forgiveness, and peace, etc,, Compass Points will offer places to ground in and appreciate nature (along with our better nature) while gazing at awe-inspiring views of the Las Vegas Valley (Details on the Compass Points page)

3) Compass Center — A fifth, larger Compass Point proposed for the 1 October Memorial site will serve as The Compass Center or Compass Rose. (More details on The Compass Center page and in the Look Book & Blog)
4) Community Sites — After establishing The Compass framework with the Cardinal Trails and Compass Center, additional Compass Points sites will be added. (Details on Community Sites page)
5) The Campaign, Inspiration, and Education — The Compass project will offer web- and app-based educational tools and lifestyle resources that support the mental, emotional, physical wholeness of humans and the thriving of our desert habitat (More on Educate & Inspire and The Campaign pages)

*Note that the Compass Points above are for visioning purposes only. Actual Compass Points sites will be designated through collaboration with community stakeholders.

CARDINAL TRAILS

Creating The Compass framework

COMPASS POINTS

Inspiring Hope and Healing

COMPASS CENTER

Remembering and Celebrating

COMMUNITY SITES

Welcoming to All 

THE CAMPAIGN

Educating & Inspiring 

LOOK BOOK

Look Book (IN PROCESS)

Q & A

Answers to Expected Questions

MY WHY. MY WAY.

FROM A PATH OF PRAYER TO A SENSE OF PURPOSE. 

After the 1 October tragedy, I walked my mind and soul from rumination to contemplation on a dusty desert path. When I reached the top of the McCullough Range Bursage Loop Trail and looked across the valley, I was struck still by how Southern Nevada was divinely designed to hold and heal a hurting Las Vegas. 

Our distinct mountain ranges encircled the valley like a warm hug.
Our wide valley floor absorbed some of our shock.
Our crisp blue skies spoke a message of great light even in a dark time. 

As I stood still filled with emotions — holding the lost, the left behind, and those who responded with courage and compassion in love and light — I hoped that all who suffered might have a similarly moving experience.


My hope led to the why for THE COMPASS. 

Kiss the earth and love it with an unceasing, consuming love . - Fyodore Dostoevsky 

Healthy Humans

People are hurting. Our planet is hurting. The path to healing, wholeness, and wisdom is, like a desert hiking trail, not a straight line. There are twists, turns, switchbacks, and setbacks.

Amid recent crises, people have more routinely headed to the great outdoors. Spending passive or active time in nature offers mind, body, and spirit benefits. The Compass will offer an array of resources that support whole person health.

Healthy Habitats

Connecting people to living landscapes impacts their inner landscape. They become more likely to engage in reciprocal relationships of care and concern for habitats and their inhabitants. 

The Compass will foster awareness, appreciation, and action in support of the sustainability of our backyard!  

The Compass will celebrate the best of nature ... and nurture our good nature!

Healthy Economy

People are increasingly seeking mindful, immersive opportunities — transformational experiences — in their community and in their travels. The Compass 1 October Memorial site will offer a place of grounding, remembrance, and appreciation for courage, compassion, and resilience in response to tragedy. Trails with Compass Points will inspire respecting, protecting, and enjoying our desert surroundings.

What community might best meet the inner compass wants and need of locals and travelers looking to make meaning? It's Vegas, naturally! 


THE COMPASS


, US

RIGHTS 

At all times, Shauna Walch shall have and retain ownership of any and all intellectual property related to The Compass proposal, concepts, and work. Shauna Walch’s submission of The Compass proposal and concepts to the County, other organizations or entities or any of their agents shall not be construed as a waiver or release of any intellectual property rights held by and retained Shauna Walch in and to The Compass proposal and concepts, or any written, visual, or digital materials related thereto. Shauna Walch hereby expressly reserves any and all intellectual property rights in and to the materials submitted, referred to, or contemplated to be created in connection with submittal of The Compass proposal and concepts (including any and all written, visual, or digital materials related thereto) to the County and/or its agents, notwithstanding any contrary intellectual property provisions set forth in the prescribed electronic submission process. 


© 2025 THE COMPASS

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