Access to nature is a right and everyone should feel at home when visiting wild public lands in Nevada. We believe wilderness preservation is the best way to protect lands within the current system, but also acknowledge its shortcomings in recognizing the people who have stewarded these lands for generations, and the people who have had a historically negative experience of the outdoors. The narrative of conservation often excludes the armed clashes that laid the foundation for our Public Lands System and the violent removal of Indigenous communities that made uninhabited Wilderness landscapes. We further recognize that these landscapes have often not been welcoming and safe because of segregation tactics endured while trying to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.

At Friends of Nevada Wilderness, we are working to remove barriers to access and honor the many ways people engage with public lands in Nevada. Everyone can make a difference in caring for wild lands, and the future of conservation relies on the meaningful involvement of diverse voices. As result of those diverse voices we expect to see:

• A more accurate accounting of the history of our lands
• Acknowledgement of the inhabitants of lands that we now recognize as wilderness
• Stewardship practices that are culturally relevant to the different ways people want to experience public lands
• Improved understanding of  public lands in Nevada and the benefits they provide, leading to increased access and enjoyment for communities who are underrepresented in the outdoors
• Increased policy support from elected officials and the public that protects wild lands in Nevada in a changing cultural landscape

Friends of Nevada Wilderness is committed to providing equal opportunities free from discrimination. We welcome and strive to unite people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, socio-economic situations, class, religions, abilities and ages and empower them as individuals and as a team. People are part of the natural world, not separate from it. When we advocate for public lands, we must understand that people are a part of those lands and we need to advocate for each other, too. We strive to promote a culture where everyone feels safe and is treated with respect and dignity. We intentionally work to foster inclusion, openness, honesty, visibility, creativity, and trust as core values within our staff, board, volunteers, and supporters.

We acknowledge our imperfections and wrongdoings in the way that we previously approached conservation. We’ve started this journey to ensure public lands are truly for all and will keep diligently working towards this goal.

If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to be involved please reach out to us at [email protected].