Protection for the Desert Refuge is One Step Closer!
Congress will make the final decision on whether our precious Desert National Wildlife Refuge is protected or whether it will largely be turned into a military base. On June 11th, the Senate Armed Services Committee said no to military expansion in Nevada for both the Nellis Test and Training Range and the Fallon Naval Air Station. Both bases would have their current military withdrawal extended for 20 years - but no new expansions. The House Armed Services Committee should be making their decision of these bases in the next few weeks.
Friends Board Paying it Forward for Giving Tuesday Now
We all find ourselves in uncharted waters from the COVID-19 shutdowns, requiring some skillful navigation in our personal lives. The same is true at Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Like most non-profit organizations, Friends is being impacted by the economic fallout from the pandemic. Stewardship field work, special events, and advocacy efforts are being postponed creating some uncertainty about revenue streams.
After Congress initiated the CARES Act stimulus payments to individuals, and the Giving Tuesday Now campaign was brought into focus, an idea was born. Friends' board Chair Roger Scholl wanted to make a difference to help the organization remain strong going forward. He asked the Friends Board to consider taking action by donating part or all of their individual stimulus payments. The Friends Board enthusiastically responded and has collectively committed $6,500 to help support our work protecting and caring for Wild Nevada! We are grateful for their leadership and hope that their example can inspire others to offer their support with a one-time special gift.
Giving Tuesday Now May 5th
#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. It is an opportunity for people to stand together in unity--to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and heal. This is our time to join together and ensure statewide stewardship, conservation and promotion of Wilderness values continues under the leadership of the Friends of Nevada Wilderness' staff and volunteers. Keep reading to learn how you can help!
Social Distancing With Friends
We are here working hard to keep you connected with your public lands and protecting Nevada’s wild places. While we have postponed our stewardship projects and outreach events, we are staying virtually connected with our supporters through our online resources. The Wild Speaker Series will continue digitally via Zoom for our April presentation by Get Outdoors Nevada on Thursday, April 2nd. For kids and parents home from school, we have heaps of educational outdoor content, activities, and resources you can access at the kid’s corner on our website.
Important Update in Campaign to Save Wild Washoe!
February 12, 2020 -
Two public meetings on the proposed Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act (TMPLMA) are scheduled. We need YOU to help raise our voices to protect Wild Washoe!
February 18 and February 20, 2020,
4 - 7 pm,
Reno Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia St., Reno.
Keep reading for some very important information!
Navy Releases Final EIS on Massive Expansion Plan at Fallon; Public Meeting on Jan. 28
January 21, 2020 - The U.S. Navy's final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) shows a general disregard for the reams of public comment they received after announcing plans for a massive expansion of the Fallon Test and Training Range onto public lands.
Catherine Cortez Masto introduces a bill pushing back on military’s proposal to take over huge chunks of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Nevada Delegation, Led by Cortez Masto, Announces Introduction of Compromise Legislation to Protect DNWR & Modernize NTTR on Existing Lands:
"U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with Representatives Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Mark Amodei (R-Nev.-02) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03), today announced compromise legislation, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and Nevada Test and Training Range Withdrawal and Management Act, that preserves the jurisdiction of the Refuge and boundaries of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) while also providing Nevada’s service members at Nellis Air Force Base and the NTTR the resources they need by supporting modernization requirements and accounting for increased public safety needs. If enacted, this legislation would create 1,310,806 acres of wilderness, the largest wilderness designation in Nevada history."
Patagonia Matches Giving Tuesday donations up to $10,000!
Patagonia, an outdoor clothing company and long-time supporter of conservation in Nevada, has a simple yet urgent mission statement: “We’re in business to save our planet.”
Toward that end, Patagonia is donating up to $10 million dollars between Giving Tuesday and the end of the year by matching contributions to environmental organizations that are part of the company’s Action Works network, including Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Patagonia will match individual contributions up to $10,000.
Wilderness Wingding 2019
It’s time for the annual Wilderness Wingding! Friends of Nevada Wilderness is busy
planning the 2019 event when we honor the hundreds of
members and volunteers who contribute their valuable time and energy to stewarding our public
lands. The annual celebration will feature great food, live music, and some amazing raffle and silent
auction items.
The western-themed 2019 Wilderness Wingding will be held starting at 5:30 pm, Friday, Dec. 6, at the
California Building in Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive in Reno.
Beautiful Wild Nevada 2020 Calendar Now Available!
Oct. 14, 2019 - The perfect gift to give for Nevada Day or any other holiday or special occasion is now available from Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
