Join Us for a Fun Evening at Craft Wine and Beer in Midtown Reno with Nevada Wildlife Federation!

Photo: Ed Ruiz

6:00pm - Panel Discussion on Forest Health and Climate-Resilience Forestry Strategies in Nevada

Speakers will focus on climate resiliency and strategies in forests in the Tahoe area and Nevada at large. Speakers will share innovative research and forestry applications, lessons learned in relationship to climate impacts on our forests, and a look ahead for what is to come in the field.

7:00pm - How to get involved with your public lands followed by trivia with prizes

Hear from Russell Kuhlman, Executive Director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation and Olivia Wolff, Northern Nevada Programs Coordinator for Friends of Nevada Wilderness about how you can get involved both on the ground and through educating and advocating for conservation.

Trivia!

Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness for a week of conservation, recreation, and exploration at Lake Mead National Recreation Area!

Alternative Spring Break is a 4-day long service-learning experience designed for college students and young adults (18-39).  This year we will be camping and stewarding at Lake Mead National Recreation Area!

We will camp by the lake at Boulder Beach Campground and will spend the week doing restoration projects like pulling invasive plants, collecting native seeds, and visiting an archaeological site!

Participants will get the chance to meet with local environmental experts, learn to camp, and get the chance to experience public lands stewardship in a way not many people get to experience!

Friends of Nevada Wilderness provides tent, sleeping bag, and other necessary gear FREE OF CHARGE for ASB participants to borrow.  We also enjoy delicious, gourmet camp meals and desserts each night. 

Interested in a career in the outdoors, conservation, recreation, or STEM?  We'll be visited by representatives from our land management and non-profit partners to discuss their career paths and ways to get started on your dream career!

Sign up today for more information and to save your place! Check out photos from our last Alternative Spring Break here!

Questions? Our ASB-FAQ page may help - click here for frequently asked questions about Alternative Spring Break. 

RSVP today, space is limited!!

Our Alternative Breaks are funded by the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership (SNAP).  Friends of Nevada Wilderness is proud to partner with the Federal public lands agencies that make up SNAP and manage more than 10 million acres of public lands and water in Southern Nevada to provide conservation and recreational opportunities.  SNAP's “Engaging Communities through Stewardship” project is delivering a continuum of activities, including environmental education programs, stewardship events, and responsible outdoor recreation trainings designed to engage our local community, from childhood into adulthood, in their public lands.  To learn more and get involved visit https://nvpubliclandspartners.org/.

Become a Weed(end) Warrior!

ENGLISH: Join us for a weedy weekend in Mount Rose Wilderness! We will meet at the Hunter Creek trailhead at 8 am and hike to a location along the Hunter Creek Trail as a group to remove the invasive musk thistle.

We will be leading an invasive weed removal project as part of the Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful Great Community Clean-up! We will have Bilingual (both English & Spanish speaking) Staff on this project!

Musk thistle is classified as a noxious weed which spreads prolifically and negatively impacts native ecosystems. This weed thrives in disturbed areas like fire scars and replaces native plants. As wildfire seasons rage hotter and longer, restoration is vital to ensure native species have a fighting change at survival. Musk thistle competes with desirable native plants, and because of it's spiny nature, wildlife rarely graze upon it. When left unmanaged, it can take over and transform the landscape. Removing this invading species directly supports the health of our native ecosystems. Weed pulls are a fun way to spend time outdoors and help support the health of our native ecosystems. 

See one of last years Weed Removals here!

Read more about the beautiful Mount Rose Wilderness here!

SPANISH: ¡Únase a nosotros para un sábado en Mount Rose Wilderness! Nos reuniremos en el comienzo del sendero Hunter Creek a las 8 am y caminaremos hasta el sitio del trabajo en grupo para eliminar las plantas invasivas: musk thistle.

 ¡Lideramos un proyecto de eliminación de plantas invasivas como parte de la Gran Limpieza Comunitaria (Great Community Clean-Up) de Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful! ¡Contaremos con personal bilingüe (que habla inglés y español) en este proyecto!

 El musk thistle está clasificado como una planta invasiva que se propaga prolíficamente e impacta negativamente los ecosistemas nativos. Esta planta invasiva prospera en áreas perturbadas por incendios y reemplaza a las plantas nativas. A medida que las temporadas de incendios forestales se vuelven más intensas y prolongadas, la restauración es vital para garantizar que las especies nativas tengan una oportunidad para sobrevivir. El musk thistle compite con las deseables plantas nativas y, debido a su naturaleza espinosa, la vida silvestre rara vez lo come. Si no se remueven, pueden apoderarse y transformar el paisaje. La eliminación de esta especie invasora apoya directamente la salud de nuestros ecosistemas nativos. La extracción de plantas invasoras es una forma divertida de pasar tiempo al aire libre y ayudar a mantener la salud de nuestros ecosistemas nativos.

 ¡Vea una de las eliminaciones de malezas del año pasado aquí!

¡Lea más sobre el hermoso Mount Rose Wilderness aquí!

Information:

Difficulty: Easy - See our difficulty rating scale here. This project is suitable for a wide range of physical abilities. It’s great for individuals new to volunteer conservation work. Appropriate for children over 12 years old with a parent or guardian. The project involves hiking 1-2 miles, partially off-trail, some steep hills up and down, carrying a shovel, using the shovel, and bending up and down.

Location: Hunter Creek Trailhead

Dates: Saturday, April 27th, 8am - 12pm

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Bring at least 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and a lunch/snacks. Shovels and gloves will be provided. 

More Details: Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful is hosting a lunch with food and drinks right after the project. More details will be provided day of, the morning of the project. 

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page here or email [email protected]

RSVP on the KTMB Website HERE! 

Información:

Dificultad: Fácil: consulte nuestra escala de calificación de dificultad aquí. Este proyecto es adecuado para un amplio rango de habilidades físicas. Es fantástico para personas nuevas al trabajo de voluntariado. Apropiado para niños mayores de 12 años acompañados de un adulto. El proyecto implica caminar 1 a 2 millas, parcialmente fuera del sendero, subir y bajar algunas colinas empinadas, cargar una pala, usarla e agachándose repetidamente.

Ubicación: Hunter Creek Trailhead

Fechas: Sábado 27 de abril de 8 a 12 hs.

Equipo/Ropa: Mangas largas, pantalones largos, zapatos cerrados de trabajo o para caminar. Llevar al menos 2 litros de agua, protector solar y snacks. Daremos palas y guantes.

Más detalles: Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful organizará un almuerzo con comida y bebidas inmediatamente después del proyecto. Daremos más detalles el mismo dia del proyecto.

¿Preguntas?: Consulte nuestra página de preguntas frecuentes aquí o envíe un e-mail a [email protected]

¡Confirma tu asistencia en el sitio web de KTMB AQUÍ!

Restore Native Ecosystems!

Join us for a Saturday in Mount Rose Wilderness! We will meet at the Hunter Creek trailhead at 8 am on Saturday, May 18th and hike to a location along Hunter Creek Trail as a group to remove the invasive musk thistle. 

Musk thistle is classified as a noxious weed which spreads prolifically and negatively impacts native ecosystems. This weed thrives in disturbed areas like fire scars and replaces native plants. As wildfire seasons rage hotter and longer, restoration is vital to ensure native species have a fighting change at survival. Musk thistle competes with desirable native plants, and because of it's spiny nature, wildlife rarely graze upon it. When left unmanaged, it can take over and transform the landscape. Removing this invading species directly supports the health of our native ecosystems. Weed pulls are a fun way to spend time outdoors and help support the health of our native ecosystems. 

See photos from a weed pull last year here!

Read more about the beautiful Mount Rose Wilderness here!

Information:

Difficulty: Moderate - See our difficulty rating scale here. This project is suitable for individuals in good physical condition who participate in a semi-exercise routing. Most people who are physically active can participate at this level. The project involves hiking 2-4 miles, partially off-trail, creek crossings, steep hills up and down, carrying a shovel, using the shovel, bending up and down

Location: Hunter Creek Trailhead

Dates: Saturday, May 18th, 8 am - 3 pm

Travel: Meet at Hunter Creek Trailhead

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Bring at least 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and a lunch/snacks. Shovels and gloves will be provided. 

More Details: In-depth information such as weather and project specifics will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project.

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page here or email [email protected]

RSVP is required to participate.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so other volunteers can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].

2024 Black Rock Rendezvous

Join Us at the 2024 Black Rock Rendezvous! 

Come join us out in the Black Rock Desert for a weekend full of learning, conservation, and the famous Dutch oven cook-off! This annual event brings together a large and varied group of people who love the Black Rock Desert. Partners for this event include Friends of Black Rock-High Rock and the Bureau of Land Management. 

We are still in the planning stages of this event...more information about the specific tours, volunteer projects, and presentations will be available soon. 

As always, this project is free! We will be providing breakfast with coffee on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning as well as a delicious dinner on Saturday and Sunday night. We have camping gear available to loan for those who need it. The road to the camping area should not require 4-wheel drive and high clearance. We will have limited space in Friends trucks to transport volunteers and carpooling is an option as well. 

Check out some of our 2023 Black Rock Rendezvous photos here!

Information

Difficulty: all levels!

Location: Black Rock Desert

Dates: Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 24th - Monday, May 27th

Travel: Most cars should be fine

Food: Breakfast and coffee are provided on Saturday and Sunday, big group dinner on Saturday night!

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Camping gear is available for loan. Check out our suggested Packing List.

More Details: In-depth information such as camping location, weather, and project specifics will be sent out about a week before the Rendezvous to those who have RSVP'd

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page here or email [email protected].

RSVP is required to participate.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so other volunteers can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].

Give back to hiking trails! 

Get to work in an awe-inspiring place! This year National Trails Day will be held out at Steven's Camp, north of High Rock Canyon and the Black Rock Desert. The work will include maintaining the Upper High Rock Canyon Trail, maintaining the public-use cabin, and repairing a section of High Rock Canyon damaged by vehicle travel. Trail maintenance helps keep a trail open and available to the public while minimizing damage to its fragile environment. The work involves cutting back overgrown brush, sawing fallen trees to remove them from the trail, and creating a safe durable surface to hike on. Friends of Nevada Wilderness will provide all the training, safety equipment, and trail maintenance tools needed to get the job done. We'd love to see you at National Trails Day to help maintain this beautiful area. 

About Steven's Camp and the Upper High Rock Canyon Area

Steven's Camp is located on the north side of High Rock Canyon Wilderness and High Rock Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Steven's Camp Recreation Area has a public-use cabin available for visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is located in a unique area surrounded by desert rims and vistas with large meadows. Another cool feature of the area is The Applegate Lassen Emigrant Trail which goes through High Rock Canyon and was used by thousands of Emigrants and their wagons starting in 1848. The journey through was often slow and arduous, fraught with risks from infectious diseases, dehydration, malnutrition, injury, and harsh weather. Who knows, maybe some ruts of the trail can still be observed in this area?

Read about the High Rock Canyon Wilderness here!

Check out some photos from our 2023 National Trail Day at Steven's Camp on our Flickr here!

Information:

Difficulty: Easy! See our difficulty rating scale here.  This project is suitable for a wide range of physical abilities. It’s great for individuals new to volunteer conservation work. Appropriate for children over 12 years old with a parent or guardian.

Location: Steven's Camp, north of High Rock Canyon and the Black Rock Desert

Dates: Friday, May 31st - Sunday, June 2nd

Travel: Leave Reno at 12 pm on Friday, returning Sunday afternoon. Most cars should be fine, Higher Clearance and 4WD are recommended to reach the campsite (one small creek crossing near the campsite). A limited number of spots are available in Friends trucks to transport volunteers and carpooling is also an option. 

Food: Breakfast with coffee on Saturday and Sunday and big group dinners and dessert will be provided!

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Camping gear available for loan. Suggested Packing List  

More Details: In-depth information such as camping location, weather, and project specifics will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project.

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page or email [email protected]

RSVP is required to participate.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].

Join us for a weedy weekend in Mount Rose Wilderness! We will meet at the Hunter Creek trailhead at 8 am on Saturday and hike to a location along Hunter Creek Trail as a group to remove the invasive musk thistle. 

Musk thistle is classified as a noxious weed that spreads prolifically and negatively impacts native ecosystems. This weed thrives in disturbed areas like fire scars and replaces native plants. As wildfire seasons rage hotter and longer, restoration is vital to ensure native species have a fighting chance at survival. Musk thistle competes with desirable native plants, and because of its spiny nature, wildlife rarely graze upon it. When left unmanaged, it can take over and transform the landscape. Removing this invading species directly supports the health of our native ecosystems. Weed pulls are a fun way to spend time outdoors and help support the health of our native ecosystems. 

See one of last year's Weed Pulls here!

Read more about the beautiful Mount Rose Wilderness here!

Information:

Difficulty: Moderate - See our difficulty rating here. This project is suitable for individuals in good physical conditions who participate in a semi-exercise routing. Most people who are physically active can participate at this level. The project involves hiking 2-4 miles, partially off-trail, creek crossings, steep hills up and down, carrying a shovel, using the shovel, bending up and down

Location: Hunter Creek Trailhead

Dates: Saturday, June 8th, 8 am - 3 pm

Travel: Meet at Hunter Creek Trailhead

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Bring at least 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and a lunch/snacks. Shovels and gloves will be provided. 

More Details: In-depth information such as weather and project specifics will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project.

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page or email [email protected]

RSVP is required to participate.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].

Annual 'Give Back to Trails' Event

Table Mountain Wilderness!

This trail maintenance event is a way for all of us to get together, share our passion for Wilderness, and have a great time while working towards a common goal of keeping trails accessible in our beautiful state. This year, we will be joining forces with our local chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA).  

Join us in beautiful Table Mountain Wilderness, in central Nevada for this rewarding project. We will be camping at the trailhead and hiking into the Wilderness to work. The trail work will involve cutting back vegetation as well as mitigating water damage along the trail from the heavy snow melt and rainstorms in 2023. Bring your fishing gear to pass the time in the late afternoon after a day of trail work! 

Volunteer trail maintenance is hard work, but it is also very rewarding and lots of fun. You will leave this project with a sense of accomplishment, some new skills, and hopefully some new friends! So please, read the info below and RSVP today! 

Read about Table Mountain Wilderness!

Check out last years photos from the Give Back to Trails Event with BHA!

Read the info below and RSVP today! 

Information:

Difficulty: Challenging - See our difficulty rating scale here. This project is suitable for individuals in good physical condition who participate in a regular exercise routine. This project may be physically challenging to some people, participants need to be in good physical condition and aware of their physical abilities and limits before joining this project. The project will involve a variety of tasks with 3-5 miles of hiking, on trail with creek crossings, carrying and using a hand tool, and bending up and down. 

Travel: We will be leaving by noon on Thursday from Reno in order to drive to the trailhead and set up camp before dark. Road conditions are still unknown for this year. We will be reaching out with more information closer to the project. There are limited number of spots available in Friends trucks, so let us know if you need a ride. 

Dates: Thursday June 27th, 2024 - Sunday June 30th, 2024

Food: Breakfast and coffee provided on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, big group dinners (with dessert) provided Friday and Saturday night!

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Camping gear is available for loan. Suggested Packing List 

More Details: In-depth information such as weather and project specifics will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project.

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page or email [email protected]

RSVP is required to participate.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].

Spend a weekend in the beautiful and pristine Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge while removing non-essential barbed wire fence that will help improve wildlife habitat and re-naturalize the area. 

Research shows that the West contains enough fencing to circle the equator 25 times which creates a huge problem for wildlife. Sage grouse, peregrine falcons, and other birds collide with fences, and ungulates (hooved wildlife such as deer and pronghorn antelope) must navigate an endless obstacle course. A 2021 paper found that pronghorn in Wyoming encountered fences an average of 249 times in a single year and changed their behavior around the barriers nearly 40% of the time. Fences often ensnare and kill large animals and is a leading factor in sage grouse mortality. Fences also separate mothers from calves, exclude herds from prime habitat, and exhaust and injure animals.

To help with this important issue, we will be removing the barbed wire and pulling out the metal or wooden posts holding it up. It is such a rewarding project to remove these fences and see a significant difference within a few hours.

The Sheldon is a vast and rugged land that provides year-round habitat as well as major wintering areas for the Oregon-Nevada interstate pronghorn herd. This is the largest protected landscape in Nevada managed exclusively for native wildlife species. The Sheldon Refuge contains some of the highest-quality sage-grouse habitats remaining in North America. Protecting this habitat and enhancing its health is an important part of minimizing the impact of a possible Endangered Species Act listing of the sage-grouse in 2015. The area's sparse vegetation is dominated by sagebrush, grasses, and other shrubs with local areas of juniper or patches of mountain mahogany. Along the wetter drainages at lower elevations, you can find willow, cottonwood, and aspen. Away from the creeks, water sources are rare, and due to the underlying rock and soil, most upland areas are remarkably dry.

Photos from the 2021 Sheldon Volunteer Project

More Information on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Check out our Stewards of Sheldon video!

Information:

Difficulty: Moderate! See our difficulty rating scale here. This project is suitable for individuals in good physical condition who participate in a semi-exercise routine. Most people who are physically active can participate at this level.

Location: Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Dates: Friday, July 5th - Monday, July 8th (this is a 4 day project) 

Travel: Leave Reno on Friday Morning, returning Monday afternoon. Road conditions are still unknown for this year. We will be reaching out with more information closer to the project. A limited number of spots are available in Friends trucks to transport volunteers and carpooling is also an option. 

Food: Breakfast and coffee are provided on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Big group dinners (with dessert) on Saturday and Sunday nights!

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. Camping gear available for loan. Suggested Packing List  

More Details: In-depth information such as camping location, weather, and project specifics will be sent to those who RSVP.

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page or email [email protected]

RSVP is required to participate

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP online as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].

Please note: The funding for this project is tentative. We may need to cancel this trip if we do not receive funding to host the project. If that happens, anyone who RSVPs will be notified by June 1st. Thank you for understanding. 

Restore native ecosystems! 

Come help Friends of Nevada Wilderness remove invasive mullein from Willow Spring in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area on July 20th! 

Invasive mullein plants, originally from Europe and Asia, pose a significant threat to the native ecosystems of southern Nevada. Their rapid spread and dense growth outcompete native plants, reducing biodiversity and altering habitats. Mullein's deep taproots destabilize soil, increasing erosion and disrupting nutrient cycles. Moreover, its highly flammable leaves contribute to more intense wildfires, particularly in areas where fire is natural.

Controlling mullein is crucial for preserving ecosystem health. Manual removal can help mitigate its impact. By managing mullein populations, we can protect native flora and fauna, maintain biodiversity, and reduce the risk of destructive wildfires. It's a necessary step toward ensuring the long-term resilience of our natural landscapes.

Removing mullein is a rewarding way to help maintain the health of spring ecosystems and work with other like-minded folks. 

RSVP today! 

Information

Difficulty: Moderate - See our project difficulty rating scale here. This project is suitable for individuals in good physical condition who participate in a semi-exercise routine. Most people who are physically active can participate at this level. 

Location: About 1 hour Northwest from downtown Las Vegas off of Highway 95 

Date: July 20th

Travel: Those who RSVP will be sent a meet up location. Getting to the worksite from the meet up location requires a high clearance vehicle. We will meet and carpool to the worksite. 

Gear/Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, sturdy work or hiking shoes. Bring at least 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and a lunch/snacks. Tools and gloves will be provided. 

More Details: In-depth information such as exact meet up location, weather, and project specifics will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project.

Questions?: Check out our FAQ page or email tyler@nevadawilderness.org

RSVP is required to participate.

Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing volunteer projects. When you RSVP you are committing to join us on that project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. So, if you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project. You can cancel your RSVP through the cancellation link in your project confirmation email or by emailing [email protected].