2024
Friends Applauds new BLM conservation rule: April 18, 2024 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness, celebrating its 40th anniversary as a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Nevada’s public lands, is applauding the Biden Administration’s final version of a new rule elevating conservation as a valid “use” of public lands on par with others uses, such as grazing and energy development.
Friends announces Nevada's new Save Starry Skies License Plate: April 2, 2024 - To launch International Dark Sky Week, April 2 – 8, Friends of Nevada Wilderness today revealed Nevada’s newest specialty license plate that celebrates the state’s uniquely dark skies.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness celebrates 40 years as non-profit organization: March 21, 2024 - While some folks who shared a passion for conserving public lands as Wilderness Areas had already been volunteering their time and energy for many years, a fledgling young group called Friends of Nevada Wilderness made it official in 1984 when it filed incorporation papers as a statewide non-profit organization. The purpose, the founders agreed, was to give Nevadans a strong voice in how their wild public lands would be managed for them and for generations to come.
2023
Friends of Nevada Wilderness crews make popular White’s Creek Trail safer, easier to use: August 22, 2023 - Staff and volunteers with Friends of Nevada Wilderness just wrapped up a multi-day project to improve White’s Creek Trail, making the highly-popular trail in the Mount Rose Wilderness much safer for hikers and equestrians.
It's Time to Celebrate the Stars at Annual Dark Sky Festival: August 1, 2023 - It's time once again to round up family and friends for a weekend of amazing stargazing at the annual Dark Sky Festival in Cedarville, CA.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Hosts Weekend Hike for Latino Families: July 19, 2023 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness invites Reno/Sparks area Latino families to hike the beautiful Jones-Whites Creek Trail this Saturday in celebration of Latino Conservation Week. The trail is a relatively level 1.7-mile loop, easy enough for the entire family.
Friends Celebrates, Stewards Nevada's newest National Monument: March 21, 2023 - The designation of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is a historical addition to the list of legacy public land designations in Nevada, according to the non-profit Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
Students Seek An Alternative: February 17, 2023 - College and university students from across the state are once again choosing an alternative to the noise and bright lights of spring break parties to spend their school vacations out in the solitude and star-studded skies of the desert landscape.
Friends Names NV Energy Foundation as 2022 Corporate Sponsor of the Year: February 1, 2023 - NV Energy Foundation has received the coveted “Corporate Sponsor of the Year” award from Friends of Nevada Wilderness in recognition of the company’s generous financial support of the non-profit’s stewardship and outreach programs.
2022
Friends Celebrates Volunteers and Supporters at Annual Wingding: Dec. 13, 2022- Friends of Nevada Wilderness honored its outstanding volunteers and supporters at the annual Wingding at Rancho San Rafael Friday night, but didn’t have time to read off the names of every person who donated time, money and energy in 2022.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Celebrates 1st Designation of New Nevada Wilderness in Eight Years: Dec. 12, 2022 - The U.S. Congress is expected this week to approve designation of more than 180,000 acres of new Wilderness Area (WA) in Nevada, marking the first time since 2014 that new Wilderness has been added to the previous inventory of 3.4 million acres. In addition, Congress will create the new Numunaa Nobe National Conservation Area, for a total of more than 346,000 acres of land with new conservation protections. The designations are part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which the House has approved and the Senate will vote on this week.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Gets Gift of a New Truck to End 2022: Dec. 8, 2022 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness will end 2022 as the proud owner of a brand new heavy duty truck after receiving a $28,000 grant from the William N. Pennington Foundation that was matched by individual donors in just 30 days.
Celebrate the Stars at the 2022 Dark Sky Festival: July 5, 2022 - The stars are beckoning once again, luring families from Nevada and California for a weekend of fun and fascination at the 2022 Dark Sky Festival August 19 -20 in beautiful Cedarville, CA.
Friends Volunteers “Clean Up” in 1st Half of 2022; Scrubbing graffiti and pulling weeds all part of stewarding the land: June 28, 2022 - There’s so much natural beauty to see and experience in Nevada’s wild open spaces that one could wander for a lifetime and still not take it all in. But every now and then, wilderness explorers come across something they’d rather NOT see or experience.
2021
Friends Honors Volunteers for Outstanding Stewardship: Nov. 12, 2021 - Dozens of miles of trails were maintained. More than three tons of metal garbage carried out of a wildlife refuge. Thousands of invasive weeds were yanked and graffiti scrubbed from rocks high up in the hills.
Volunteer crews accomplished those feats and much more over the last year or so, led by the Friends of Nevada Wilderness Staff Coordinators.
Friends Celebrates National Public Lands Day: Sept. 22, 2021 - While every day is a public lands day at Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the organization has planned three special projects to celebrate National and Nevada Public Lands Days this weekend.
Public Invited to Celebrate the Stars at Dark Sky Festival in Cedarville: July 12, 2021 - The uniquely dark skies of Surprise Valley and the surrounding area will be celebrated August 6 & 7 in Cedarville, CA with a series of free events for the whole family to enjoy.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Receives National Advocacy Award for Protecting Desert Refuge: April 15, 2021 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness Executive Director Shaaron Netherton and former Southern Nevada Director Jose Witt have received coveted national recognition for their advocacy of permanent protection for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Nevada.
2020
Congress, Nevada Delegation Deny Long Sought Military Expansions Onto Public Lands: Dec. 11, 2020 - A broad coalition of conservationists, Native Americans, sportsmen and women, elected officials and others are celebrating the Congressional vote today that denies the U.S. military long sought-after expansions of two major facilities in Nevada, the Fallon Naval Air Station and the Nellis Test and Training Range.
Give the Gift of Wild Nevada: Nov. 18, 2020 - The phrase "gift of giving" takes on additional meaning when you both give and gift at the same time this holiday season!
Help Observe National Wildlife Refuge Week - Save the Desert Refuge: October 15, 2020 - Nevadans are being asked to observe National Wildlife Refuge Week October 11-17, by urging their representatives in Congress to save the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
The Griffith Peak Trail is Open: Sept. 24, 2020 - Just in time for National Public Lands Day, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the U.S. Forest Service are thrilled to invite the public back to hike the Griffith Peak Trail, which had been closed for several years due to extensive damage from the 2013 Carpenter 1 fire.
Visit Another World and Stay Close to Home: April 21, 2020 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness invites all Nevadans to take a trip to a magical place this week...and stay safe at the same time.
Friends Sends Out SOSS - Support Our Starry Skies!: March 9, 2020 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness is observing the one year anniversary of the Massacre Rim International Dark Sky Sanctuary by asking the public to support expanded efforts to preserve dark skies throughout the state.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Offers a "Wild" Alternative Spring Break for College Students: February 24, 2020 - Need a break from school, the city, and the daily grind? Have we got a spring break alternative for you!
2019
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Responds to Introduction of DNWR and NTTR Withdrawal and Management Act: Dec. 20, 2019 - “We are so grateful for Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s leadership in introducing a bill that pushes back on the military’s proposal to take over huge chunks of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge,” said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
Patagonia Matches Giving Tuesday donations up to $10,000!: Dec. 2, 2019 - 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.
Annual Wilderness Wingding Dec. 6 Honors Stewardship Volunteers: Nov. 11, 2019 - It’s time for the Wilderness Wingding! Friends of Nevada Wilderness is busy planning the 2019 event when the non-profit conservation organization honors 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.
Wild Nevada 2020 Calendar Now Available: October 14, 2019 - Reno, NV - The perfect gift to give for Nevada Day or any other holiday or special occasion is now available from Friends of Nevada Wilderness. The 2020 Wild Nevada Calendar features stunning photographs of wild and scenic public lands all over the state. Thirteen photographers, more than half of them women and including long-time and first-time contributors, submitted their best work to the photo selection committee.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Seeks to Repair Martin Fire Damage: Sept. 25, 2019 - While political wrangling continues at the highest levels of government over whether Nevada will receive federal emergency funds to restore vast swaths of rural lands ravaged by wildfire, the Friends of Nevada Wilderness is rolling up its sleeves in an effort to begin restoring sensitive riparian areas damaged by the Martin Fire along the North Fork of the Little Humboldt River. At nearly 435,000 acres, the Martin Fire that began in early July is the largest single fire in Nevada history.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Invites Southern Nevadans to Celebrate National Public Lands Day: September 23, 2019 - In celebration of National Public Lands Day, Friends of Nevada Wilderness is inviting Southern Nevadans to get out outdoor this September 28 & 29 to explore Big Rocks Wilderness and help protect the area from illegal motorized use.
Friends Celebrates National Public Lands Day in the Black Rock Desert: September 23, 2019 - Compete in a Dutch oven cook-off, send the young ones to Kids Camp and help protect our precious public lands, all in one action-packed weekend to celebrate National Public Lands Day September 27 – 29 in the greater Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area (NCA).
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Awarded NV Energy Grants for Public Lands Stewardship: September 10, 2019 - Nevada’s public lands and the people who enjoy them are the beneficiaries of two NV Energy Foundation grants recently received by Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
Celebrate the Stars This Weekend at the Dark Sky Festival: July 30. 2019 - The uniquely dark skies of northwest Nevada and eastern California will be celebrated at free public events this weekend in Cedarville, CA. The celebration is sponsored by a partnership including the Bureau of Land Management, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Cedarville businesses.
Go Wild for Art! Friends of Nevada “Wild Artivist” ArTown Gallery Returns in July: July 1, 2019 - Once again, the Friends of Nevada Wilderness office will undergo a transformation into one of the area’s premier art galleries as part of the annual ArTown celebration. Art and nature lovers
will enjoy a variety of visual art including paintings, photography, mixed media and more – all celebrating the colors, textures, and beauty of wild Nevada.
Nevada Legislature Sends Strong Bipartisan Message to Congress Opposing Military Expansion in Wildlife Refuge: May 28, 2019 - Carson City, NV – In a nearly unanimous bipartisan vote, Nevada state legislators have adopted a resolution telling the U.S. Congress they are strongly opposed to the U.S. Air Force’s plan to expand the training facility at the Nellis Test and Training Range (NTTR) into more of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The 2.9 million-acre bombing and training range currently sprawls across three counties in the southern part of the state. The Air Force now wants another nearly quarter million more acres. The U.S. Congress is expected to act on the proposal next year.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Recognizes Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary: April 19, 2019 - Reno, NV. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today presented Friends of Nevada Wilderness with a framed copy of her April 4 Congressional Record statement recognizing the designation of the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Public lands at Massacre Rim named Dark Skies Sanctuary: March 30, 2019 - The Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area in far northern Washoe County, Nev. has been designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, only the seventh place in the world with the elusive designation.
Resolutions Opposing Military Expansion in Desert National Wildlife Refuge to be Heard in Legislature: March 4, 2019 - – Resolutions expressing the state legislature’s strong opposition to the U.S. Air Force’s plan to take over another quarter million acres of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR) and close it off to the public will be heard by the Senate and Assembly Committees on Natural Resources March 5 and March 6 in Carson City.
2018
Annual Wingding Honors Conservation Volunteers: November 27, 2018 – It’s Wingding time again at Friends of Nevada Wilderness when the non-profit conservation organization throws a party to honor the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their valuable time and energy. The annual celebration will feature great food, live music, and unique raffle and silent auction items.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Receives Power of Good Grant for Habitat Restoration Project: October 4, 2018 – The fire-damaged North Fork of the Little Humboldt River was a big winner in NVEnergy’s recent Power of Good Giveaway that awarded $3,000 to Friends of Nevada Wilderness for a habitat restoration project in the sensitive riparian area.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Seeks to Repair Martin Fire Damage: September 25, 2018 - While political wrangling continues at the highest levels of government over whether Nevada will receive federal emergency funds to restore vast swaths of rural lands ravaged by wildfire, the Friends of Nevada Wilderness is rolling up its sleeves in an effort to begin restoring sensitive riparian areas damaged by the Martin Fire along the North Fork of the Little Humboldt River. At nearly 435,000 acres, the Martin Fire that began in early July is the largest single fire in Nevada history.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Celebrates Nevada Public Lands Day with Stewardship: September 26, 2018 - Friends of Nevada Wilderness (having observed National Public Lands Day last week) will celebrate NEVADA Public Lands Day this weekend at the 3rd Annual Desert Dace Days in the Black Rock Desert National Conservation Area. The threatened Desert Dace is a fish species that lives only one place in the world, in the hot spring waters of Soldier Meadows in the heart of the Conservation Area.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Celebrates 25th anniversary of National Public Lands Day: Sept. 17, 2018
Friends of Nevada Wilderness will observe National Public Lands Day on Thursday, September 20, with an open house celebration of the beauty of Washoe County’s public lands and how they contribute to the local quality of life. The open house will feature a new art exhibit, “Wild Washoe – Where the Pavement Ends,” a series of beautiful landscape paintings of area public lands by local artist Erik Holland.
Tapas Night with Big Horn Olive Oil Company: July 16, 2018
Lovers of good food and the great outdoors are invited to The Grove on Friday, August 10, 2018, for a fun and flavor-filled evening benefiting Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Receives Donation from Paul Simon: July 31, 2018
The Friends of Nevada Wilderness has received a generous gift of $25,000 from legendary musician Paul Simon, a long-time supporter of conservation and other charitable causes.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Wraps Up First Half of 2018 Field Work
Volunteers generate thousands of dollars in in-kind trail work: July 3, 2018
Tens of thousands of weeds pulled, miles of trail cleared and repaired, bags of trash picked up, retaining walls built, boundaries marked, and campsites cleaned – all of that and more was accomplished in the first six months of the Friends Stewardship Program’s field season.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Extends Call for 2019 Calendar Photos
Popular calendar celebrates beauty and solitude of Wild Nevada: June 4, 2018
The non-profit Friends of Nevada Wilderness has extended the deadline for submitting photos for the 2019 Wild Nevada calendar to 5 pm on Friday, June 22. The popular calendar features stunning professional and amateur photos that showcase Nevada’s most wild and scenic places.
Weed Warriors Begin 2018 Attack on Invasive Thistles
Friends of Nevada Wilderness volunteers removing weeds from Mt. Rose Wilderness Area: May 11, 2018
Volunteers led by the Friends of Nevada Wilderness (FNW) Stewardship Team will head into the hills on Wednesday, May 16, and Saturday, May 19, to launch the annual effort to control the spread of invasive and damaging weeds in the popular Mt. Rose outdoor recreation area.
Sportsmen, Conservationists, Patagonia Run Full-page Ad Against Fracking in Nevada's Ruby Mountains: April 23, 2018 Center for Biological Diversity issues a press release announcing the full page ad that various conservation groups, including Friends of Nevada Wilderness, ran in Elko's Daily Free Press.
Forest Service Reopens Comment Period for Fracking in Nevada's Ruby Mountains - April 9, 2018: Friends of Nevada Wilderness signs onto a press release with the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club in opposition to fracking in Nevada's Ruby Mountains, and encouraging people to submit comments and stories to the Forest Service.
Southern Nevada Spring Breakers Spend Their Week Volunteering in Wildlife Refuges - March 15, 2018: Friends of Nevada Wilderness releases announces their upcoming Alternative Spring Break program, which will take place in southern Nevada the week of March 25-30.
Thousands Oppose Trump Administration's Attempted Seizure of Nevada's Desert National Wildlife Refuge for Expanded Bombing Range: March 8, 2018 - Centre for Research on Globalization issues a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity, along with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Defenders of Wildlife and Sierra Club, announcing the success of efforts to turn out comments to Air Force.
Friends of Gold Butte and Friends of Nevada Wilderness Applaud Introduction of ANTIQUITIES Act of 2018: January 30, 2018: Friends of Gold Butte and Friends of Nevada Wilderness issue a press release applauding the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2018, which would uphold protection for Gold Butte National Monument.
#DontBombTheBighorn Rally and Public Hearing - January 23, 2018: Friends of Nevada Wilderness releases a media advisory outlining the details for the rally and the public hearing to be held in Las Vegas, regarding the military's LEIS aiming to withdraw land from the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
2017
Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness in Honoring Nevada's Public Lands Volunteers, Land Management Agencies - November 27, 2017: Friends of Nevada Wilderness announces the 11th Annual Wilderness Wingding, to be held on Friday, December 8, at the California Building in Idlewild Park.
2018 Wild Nevada Calendar Celebrates Nevada's Public Lands, Female Conservationist - November 9, 2017: Friends of Nevada Wilderness announces the release of the 2018 Wild Nevada Calendar, which features Nevada specific dates and facts and inspirational quotes from female conservationists and wild women.
The Wild and Scenic Film Festival - November 17, 2017: Friends of Nevada Wilderness will host the 5th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival at the Clark County Theater. The festival will feature 10 short films that focus on subjects that relate to nature, conservation, and/or outdoor recreation.
Volunteers Celebrated National Public Lands Day in Black Rock Desert - October 3, 2017: Friends of Nevada Wilderness partnered with the Winnemucca Bureau of Land Management to host the 24th annual National Public Lands Day Celebration in Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
National Public Lands Day with Friends of Gold Butte and Friends of Nevada Wilderness - September 30, 2017: Friends of Nevada Wilderness partners with the BLM and Friends of Gold Butte to host a National Public Lands Day project in Gold Butte National Monument.
Volunteers Will Celebrate Public Lands Day in Black Rock Desert - September 26, 2017: Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness in celebrating National Public Lands Day for a weekend of habitat restoration and volunteer stewardship on the Black Rock Desert – High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.
BLM Hosts Black Rock Rendezvous with Partnering Organizations - May 9, 2017: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Winnemucca District and partner organizations are hosting the annual Black Rock Rendezvous event May 26-29. BLM, Friends of Black Rock, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Nevada Outdoor School to host the three-day, family-friendly event to kick off the summer season.
Volunteers Gather on Earth Day in the Santa Rosa Range to Assist in Wildfire Recovery Efforts - April 19, 2017: This Saturday on April 22nd, northern Nevada volunteers will spend Earth Day volunteering to plant native sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings in the Santa Rosa Range in areas affected by wildfires.
KEEN, Zappos.com and Friends of Nevada Wilderness to Host Employee Clean Up Day at Tule Springs National Monument - March 8, 2017: KEEN Footwear, based in Portland, Oregon, and Zappos.com, Inc. an online shoe and clothing retailer based in Las Vegas, are teaming-up with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, a local non-profit organization, to rekindle the annual employee volunteer event, KEEN Zappos Day. On March 16th, one hundred employees from Zappos.com and KEEN Footwear will pitch in to clean up areas in Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, just north of Las Vegas.
Volunteers Spend Day of Service in Gold Butte National Monument - January 19, 2017: On the Day of Service, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, nearly thirty volunteers joined Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Friends of Gold Butte to reduce the damaging effects of illegal motorized incursions in the newly designated Gold Butte National Monument.
2016
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Thanks President Obama for Gold Butte National Monument - December 28, 2016: Today, President Obama designated Gold Butte as a National Monument. Gold Butte, Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon, is home to countless cultural, historic, and natural wonders that make this area so unique and are now preserved for future generations. For decades, Nevadans have been working to protect the nationally significant cultural, historic, and natural treasures in Gold Butte and today their hard work has paid off.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival Comes to Las Vegas - November 10, 2016: The Wild & Scenic Film Festival comes to Las Vegas. Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness when they host the fourth annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour at the Clark County Library Theater on Friday, November 18th.
Volunteers to Open South Loop Trail in the Spring Mountains - September 20, 2016: On Saturday, September 24, Over 50 volunteers at the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area will join hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans at public land sites across the country to give back to the lands where we play, learn, exercise, and relax in celebration of the 23rd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) – the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands.
Veterans Work to Maintain Trails in Mt. Charleston - July 23, 2016: Friends of Nevada Wilderness is teaming up with Team Red, White, and Blue, a veteran’s group that inspires volunteerism. Together, they will work to maintain important parts of the Bonanza Trail on the north end of the Spring Mountains Range. Volunteers will complete basic trail work that ensures safety for visitors and longevity of the longest trail in the Mt. Charleston area.
Local Volunteers to Celebrate National Trails Day in the Spring Mountains - June 2, 2016: June 4th is National Trails Day, the country’s largest celebration of trails. Friends of Nevada Wilderness, in coordination with the Bristlecone Chapter of Back Country Horsemen, United States Forest Service, and REI, will be celebrating National Trails Day in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
Celebrating Citizen Science Day in the Spring Mountains - April 19, 2016: Friends of Nevada Wilderness is kick-starting this year’s Spring Monitoring Program on Citizen Science Day, April 16th 2016. This spring monitoring training is an opportunity for volunteers to get their feet wet in by measuring water resources in Mt. Charleston. U.S. Forest Service Botanist, Jennifer Brickey, will be along for the training to help identify plant species of interest. Learning about the natural resources on our public lands is an ideal way to spend a day recognizing citizen science.
LUSH Cosmetics Hosts "Protect Gold Butte" Event - April 18, 2016: LUSH Cosmetics, an international cosmetics retailer, will be hosting a “Protect Gold Butte” event on April 30th at their Downtown Summerlin store. LUSH Cosmetics is partnering with local non-profit organizations, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Friends of Gold Butte, who will be at the event informing attendees about Gold Butte, answering questions, sharing photos, and providing immediate ways for the public to take action to gain permanent protection for Gold Butte. This is a free event open to the general public.
Volunteers Lead Wildfire Recovery Efforts Across Northern Nevada - March 30, 2016: Friends of Nevada Wilderness has begun its northern Nevada stewardship season by partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and BLM to conduct critical habitat restoration efforts in four priority areas affected by wildfires. Northern Nevada volunteers have planted well over 4,000 native seedlings and are set to plant more in the Desatoya Wilderness Study Area. The projects are funded by the Dream Tags Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Read the full press release here.
“Quiet recreation” on Nevada’s BLM land generates millions of dollars, supports jobs - March 31, 2016: Communities near Nevada landscapes managed by the Bureau of Land Management benefitted from millions of dollars in spending in 2014 as the result of visitors who came to enjoy non-motorized recreation, such as hiking, hunting, and camping, according to a new study by the independent firm ECONorthwest, “Quiet Recreation on BLM-Managed Lands: Economic Contribution 2014.” The 3.9 million quiet recreation visits to Nevada’s BLM lands generated $168 million in direct spending within 50 miles of the recreation sites. These dollars then circulated through the state economy, resulting in $171 million in employees’ salaries, wages and benefits. Read the press release here.
Wildfire Recovery Efforts Underway Across Northwestern Nevada - March 20, 2016: Friends of Nevada Wilderness will begin its northern Nevada stewardship season by partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and BLM to conduct critical habitat restoration efforts in four priority areas affected by wildfires. Projects will consist of planting native seedlings like bitterbrush and sagebrush in an effort to rehabilitate wildlife habitat and prevent invasive weeds from colonizing. The projects are funded by the Dream Tags Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Read the press release here.
University Students Spend Spring Break in Service to Southern Nevada Public Lands - March 15, 2016: Friends of Nevada Wilderness is partnering with the National Park Service to provide students a unique Spring Break experience at the 6th annual Alternative Spring Break. This multi-day project will provide students a hands-on opportunity to learn land management techniques and the field of natural resources in a fun and rewarding atmosphere and is generously funded by Barrick Gold. Read the press release here.
2015
KEEN Footwear Joins Zappos for Live Monunmental Campaign - July 30, 2015: Hundreds of Southern Nevadans are coming together Thursday, July 30, 2015 to rally for permanent protection of Gold Butte, Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon. Recognizing the desire of the American public to protect the places we all play, Keen launched the Live Monumental tour (#livemonumental) this month to highlight some of these special places (read the press release here).
Wild Speaker Series Highlights Conservation Issues in Southern Nevada - April 1, 2015: Friends of Nevada Wilderness invites the public to attend the “Wild Speaker Series”, a monthly discussion on current conservation issues in Southern Nevada held on the first Thursday of every month in the REI Boca Park Community Room (read press release here).
University Students Give Back to Public Lands During Alternative Spring Break - March 29, 2015: Friends of Nevada Wilderness is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host the 5th annual Alternative Spring Break, a four day service learning program designed to provide students with hands-on experience in the environmental sciences and land management fields (read press release here).
2014
Eighth Annual Wilderness Wingding Celebrates Volunteers - December 1, 2014 Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness as we host our eighth annual Wilderness Wingding event to personally thank our supporters, agency partners, and the Northern Nevada outdoor community (read press release here).
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Celebrates 50 Years of the Wilderness Act, Las Vegas - August 28, 2014 Friends of Nevada Wilderness will be hosting a family-friendly picnic to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act (read press release here).
Local Art Exhibit to Celebrate 50 Years of Wild Nevada - July 11, 2014: Noteworthy Nevada artists will be featured in a local art exhibit organized by Friends of Nevada Wilderness, 50 Years of Wild Nevada, as part of the 2014 Artown events taking place in Reno throughout the month of July (read press release here).
Restoration Work Begins in Area Affected by Hunter Falls Fire - June 7-10, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness has begun a series of restoration work in the Hunter Creek drainage in Mt. Rose Wilderness, the area recently affected by the Hunter Falls fire. This Saturday, June 7th, and next Tuesday, June 10th, the organization will be leading groups of volunteers to the affected areas to remove hundreds of invasive weeds before they spread to the recently burnt acreage (read press release here).
National Trails Day Comes to Mt. Charleston - June 7, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the only statewide environmental organization dedicated to Nevada’s wild lands, will be celebrating National Trails Day and the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act in Mt. Charleston Wilderness this Saturday, June 7th (read press release here).
Big Horn Olive Oil Company Challenges Top Chefs in Tapas Night to Benefit Friends - April 1, 2014: Reno business Big Horn Olive Oil Company presents Tapas Night, an evening of gourmet food and drink pairings, live music, and local art on exhibit and for sale held at the Grove. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Friends of Nevada Wilderness. (read press release here).
UNLV Students Give Back to Public Lands During Alternative Spring Break - March 26, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Great Basin Institute, hosted the 4th Annual “Alternative Spring Break” volunteer and educational opportunity for UNLV students last week. Seven UNLV students, along with five volunteers from the public, gave four days and four nights in service to the National Desert Wildlife Refuge – the nation’s largest wildlife refuge in the contiguous United States (read press release here).
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Celebrate 30 Years of Keeping Nevada Wild - March 23, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the only statewide environmental organization dedicated to Nevada’s wild lands, celebrated their 30th Anniversary last Friday. A formal presentation from the Associate Director of the organization, Kurt Kuznicki, highlighted Friends of Nevada Wilderness’ accomplishments over the past 30 years, ending with a formal introduction of representatives from both Senator Heller and Senator Reid’s office. Both representatives of the Nevada Senators presented Senatorial Certificates of Commendation to the organization, honoring their work for Nevada’s wilderness areas.
30 Years of Keeping Nevada Wild: Friends of Nevada Wilderness Celebrates 30th Anniversary - March 21, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the only statewide environmental organization dedicated to Nevada’s wild lands, will be celebrating its 30th birthday later this month. To celebrate, the organization will host an open house at their headquarters featuring live music, guest speakers, hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and birthday cake (read the press release).
University Students to Attend Alternative Spring Break - March 16, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Great Basin Institute, is hosting an Alternative Spring Break volunteer and educational opportunity for UNLV students (read the press release).
Friends of Nevada Wilderness Lead Guided Hike for Big Brothers, Big Sisters - February 22, 2014: Friends of Nevada Wilderness will lead a guided hike for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization this Saturday at Galena Forest. This event is part of an ongoing series to reach out to the public about wilderness and the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
2012
National Wildlife Refuge Week (October 14-21) —October 12, 2012: Friends of Nevada Wilderness' volunteers and staff to plant 300 native plants at Corn Creek in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge in recognition of National Wildlife Refuge Week. (read the press release)
Celebrating a fence-free Sheldon Wildlife Refuge —August 8, 2012: Friends of Nevada Wilderness' volunteers and staff to remove the last of more than 150 miles of fence from pronghorn, sage grouse habitat on August 17-19, 2012. You are invited to help make history! (read the press release)
Volunteers prep Lye Creek campground for youth stewards — June 26, 2012: Volunteers joined Friends of Nevada Wilderness in the Santa Rosa Range to prep Lye Creek campground for youth stewards with Nevada Outdoor School's Summer Adventure Camp II. Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Nevada Outdoor School have teamed up to bringstewardship and education opportunities to northern Nevada youth since 2005. (read the press release)
The Zappos Family and KEEN Footwear tackle trash on Mt. Charleston — June 21, 2012: One hundred volunteers clean up and repaint popular recreation sites. Teams painted 53 picnic table and bench sets, cleaned out 45 public barbecue grills, and removed 15 cubic yards of trash. The volunteers also broke up illegal fire rings, and completed five miles of trail clean-up on the Sawmill and Blue Tree trails. (read the press release)
Friends of Nevada Wilderness partners with The Zappos Family and KEEN Footwear to clean up Mt. Charleston —June 14, 2012: On June 20, over 100 volunteers will be working on five popular recreation areas, picking up litter and repainting heavily used tables and bathrooms, and public-use barbeque grills will be cleaned out and re-painted. (read the press release)
Volunteers battle invasive weeds in Mt. Rose Wilderness— June 14, 2012: Nine volunteers with Friends of Nevada Wilderness attacked two acres of invasive weeds in the Mt. Rose Wilderness this past Saturday. . . . Stewardship Technician Renee Aldrich led the charge against perennial pepperweed and musk thistle along the Hunter Creek drainage. In one day, the team pulled approximately 8,000 plants. (read the press release)
Trail crew begins work on Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail — June 14, 2012: The Nye County Trail Crew with Friends of Nevada Wilderness has started improving Nevada's hiking trails! The team is beginning on the Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail and aims to brush out and clean up thirty miles this summer. . . To find out why this is important to Nevada's hikers, ranchers, and hunters. (read the press release)
Pat Bruce receives Making a Difference National Volunteer Award — May 31, 2012: Pat Bruce was honored for his many accomplishments that help make the Black Rock desert a healthier place for plants, animals and people. “It's all the work of the volunteers that make this possible,” said Pat. “I want to accept this award on behalf of everyone who has volunteered in Nevada's public lands.” (read the press release)
Announcing 2012 Black Rock Rendezvous — May 4, 2012:Once again, Friends of Nevada Wilderness is teaming up with the Bureau of Land Management, Friends of the Black Rock-High Rock, Nevada Outdoor School and other organizations to explore, celebrate and give back to Northern Nevada's desert treasures. This is your opportunity to participate in lectures, workshops, tours, volunteer restoration projects, and much, much more. (read the press release)
Tackling Tom Basin — April 3, 2012: Volunteers to restore burn area in Nevada — April and May will be busy months for Winnemucca and the surrounding communities as they join together in a concentrated effort to restore areas that were seriously damaged by the 2011 Tom Basin fire out on the Santa Rosa Ranger District in Paradise Valley. There will be several “family-friendly” opportunities for your entire family to get out, enjoy and help the Wild. (read the press release)
Students Spend Spring Break Volunteering in Desert Refuge — March 29, 2012: Students from the University of Nevada, Reno got wild in a different way when they spent their spring break volunteering in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge outside of Las Vegas. Led by Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the team worked to restore and re-naturalize the area for wildlife and people alike. (read the press release)
Students will spend spring break rehabbing Desert Refuge — February 20, 2012: While other college students will be heading off to tan in Cancun, a team of UNR students will be volunteering in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge in southern Nevada. The group will be investing their time and energy into maintaining public hiking trails, naturalizing unauthorized vehicle routes, and planting native vegetation. (read the press release)
2011
2011 Wilderness Wingding wows attendees — December 20, 2011: The 5th annual Wilderness Wingding hosted by Friends of Nevada Wilderness at the Grand Sierra Resort on Friday, Dec. 16 was certainly an event to remember. Over 275 people enjoyed delightful nibbles donated by local businesses like Capriotti’s and The Hub Coffee Co. An awards ceremony highlighted volunteers, organizations, and corporations that played a key role during the 2011 field season. (read the press release)
Friends of Nevada Wilderness announces 2011 award winners — December 9, 2011: Friends of Nevada Wilderness will be celebrating individuals and organizations who played a special part in our 2011 field season. These awardees will be honored at the Wilderness Wingding at the Grand Sierra Resort in the Tahoe Room. The celebration begins at 6 pm with an awards ceremony at 7 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011. This event is open to the public. (read the press release)
Spend 2011 spring break volunteering in Wild Nevada —February 24, 2011: Spend 5 enjoyable days and 4 glorious nights under the stars in the spectacular wilderness just north of Vegas. Stewardship work will consist of pulling out barbed wire and fence posts, rolling up barbed wire strands and possibly hiking some of the material out. (read the press release)
2010
Volunteers sizzle on National Public Lands Day in Gold Butte, Nevada — September 28, 2010: Volunteers built up a lot of sweat equity in Nevada’s natural resources on Sept. 25, 2010 for National Public Lands Day in Gold Butte, Nevada. In triple-degree heat, 25 volunteers planted over six dozen pieces of native flora along the Falling Man Petroglyph Trail and installed 180 fence posts to direct off-road vehicles away from sensitive desert habitats. (read the press release)
Seeking the right balance — wildlife and wild horses in Nevada — January 14, 2010: Maintaining wilderness values means helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem for all our native plants and animals. ... When horse numbers reach unsustainable levels, the health of our sagebrush community suffers along with our native wildlife. But just as importantly, the horses themselves suffer. ... Wild horses have a place on the land just like Nevada’s wildlife does. Together, we must find the right balance to protect the land and the animals that depend on it for the future. (read the press release)
2009
Patagonia Reno to award $5,000 to local groups —September 18, 2009: You can help Friends of Nevada Wilderness by casting your ballot for us at Patagonia's Reno outlet store's "Voice Your Choice" campaign. It is free to participate, and you get to help Patagonia decide how they divvy up 5,000 in grant money ... (read the press release)
Fletcher Canyon graffiti removal success — September 17, 2009: Beautiful Fletcher Canyon in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness was recently marred by vandals who painted black and white graffiti on canyon walls. With spray bottles of graffiti remover and a lot of elbow grease, three volunteers working with Friends of Nevada Wilderness removed this blight from the canyon on September 16th ... (read the press release)
Economic Stimulus funds to help Nevada forests — July 28, 2009: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). About 3 million has been allocated for a wide range of projects including trail improvements at Mt Rose, the Spring Mountains, and at wild places in Nye and Lander counties ... (read the press release)
Friends signs Forest Service trails and stewardship agreement — July 23, 2009: Friends of Nevada Wilderness signed an agreement with the Forest Service to "work together to improve wilderness stewardship of the Alta Toquima and Table Mountain Wildernesses in central Nevada." (read the full story)
Sheldon Rendezvous volunteer stewardship project a huge success — June 24, 2009: More than 60 volunteers teamed up with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to improve habitat for pronghorn antelope and other wildlife on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. In eight separate work projects, volunteers removed about 10 miles of unnecessary barbed-wire fence that threatened wildlife ... (read the full story)
Sheldon Rendezvous volunteers set to give back to Nevada’s wild heritage. — June 3, 2009: People who love the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge are gathering for a fun filled weekend to labor for wildlife. On June 20th, volunteers will help the refuge by removing unneeded barbed wire fencing near Big Springs and Catnip Reservoirs ... (read the full story)
2008
Friends of Nevada Wilderness receives the FS Bob Marshall Award — September 9, 2008: The U.S. Forest Service has awarded Friends of Nevada Wilderness the national Bob Marshall Award for Group Championship of Wilderness Stewardship. Only one organization each year receives this award which recognizes exemplary leadership and outstanding accomplishments in wilderness stewardship and going the extra mile to keep these special places wild for the future ... (read the full story)
Forest Service announces Friends of Nevada Wilderness to receive the FS Bob Marshall Award — September 5, 2008: Friends of Nevada Wilderness is honored to receive the national Bob Marshall Award as Champions of Wilderness Stewardship. Winning this award was made possible "because of the dedication of our volunteers and the great partnership we have with the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest," said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of the Friends of Nevada Wilderness ... (read the full story)
Poll Shows Broad Support for Protecting Gold Butte Area— June 5, 2008: A recent poll of Clark County voters found broad, robust support for permanent protection of public lands in the Gold Butte region. Republicans, Democrats and three-quarters of self-identified off-road vehicle users also support these protections ... (read the full story)
Local Conservation Group Seeks Volunteers to Assist in Restoration Efforts along Popular Reno Trail
