Over the last 39 years, Friends of Nevada Wilderness volunteers have donated thousands of hours to keeping Nevada’s spectacular public lands wild and healthy. Our annual volunteer appreciation party, the Wilderness Wingding, is on December 15th, 2023, and we are partnering with dozens of local and national businesses and individuals to show our volunteers appreciation. Check out this article to see who is giving back and how.

In the vast landscape of American territory lies the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of special places where nature thrives, where people reconnect with the wild, and where conservation is the primary mission. A testament to America’s enduring commitment to the environment, this system plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the country's natural heritage.

In August 2023, President Biden issued a proclamation declaring September as National Wilderness Month. Wilderness Areas represent some of America's most precious natural resources, and Americans have done a great job in protecting these lands for future generations. The proclamation celebrates the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964 (60 years ago next year!) which created the National Wilderness Preservation System. Today this system protects nearly over 760 Wilderness Areas totaling over 110 million acres of federal public lands.

Comencé mi camino hacia la conservación como escalador. Antes de eso, no sentía una conexión con la tierra que me rodeaba. La tierra pública no era algo sobre lo que yo tenía mucho conocimiento. La búsqueda de rocas y acantilados para escalar me transportó a muchos nuevos espacios al aire libre, todos en terrenos públicos y algunos en áreas silvestres. A través de la comunidad de escalada, conocí de la administración y la conservación y aprendí la importancia de cuidar la tierra que utilizaba con tanta vehemencia.

‘Latino Conservation Week’ fue creada para incentivar a la comunidad latina salir al aire libre y participar en actividades para proteger nuestros recursos naturales. Para mí también es un espacio para reflexionar de dónde vengo y qué me ha inspirado.

From the snowy peaks of the Rubies and the wildflower meadows of Mt. Rose to the sand dunes of the Desert Refuge and red hoodoos of Gold Butte, we're celebrating 39 years of Keeping Nevada Wild! Check out this timeline of Friends' history and how many of our favorite protected places came to be.

Public lands stewardship is powered by the community. People from all walks of life give their time to maintain trails, install signs, and otherwise maintain Nevada’s wild spaces and trails. Such was the case on Saturday, February 25th when we hosted the community during their annual Wahoo volunteer appreciation day. Through rain and wind that has been a hallmark of this wild winter season about 25 volunteers and supporters met under the giant group picnic canopy at the Red Springs to celebrate the stewardship work accomplished this past year with sandwiches and hot soup plus a flurry of high-fives and wahoo’s.

Thank you to everyone that volunteered to keep southern Nevada’s wilderness wild in 2022!!

We couldn't host our annual Wingding Volunteer and Supporter Appreciation event without our wonderful donors - from cooking up barbeque to providing water bottles and gift cards for volunteer goodie bags, these people and businesses helped us celebrate our wild community at the 2022 Wingding!

Enjoy a virtual visit to the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge - one of the most remote and rugged places in the lower 48!