Interested in volunteering locally?

Sign up below!

We need friendly faces to help with outreach events around northwest Nevada! If you like talking to people, are passionate about wilderness and dark skies, and are looking to get involved closer to town, look no further. Those who register on this page will be notified as soon as possible before an outreach event. At that point, you can let us know if you are available. 

Primary Topics for Outreach:

• Save Starry Skies! 
  • Promote the value of dark skies, talk about dark sky areas folks can visit across the state, and promote our 'Save Starry Skies' License Plate
• Volunteer Recruitment
  • Encourage folks to sign up for a volunteer project, talk to them about upcoming opportunities, and answer questions about the volunteer experience. 
• Public Lands Protection
  • Discuss current threats to public lands in Nevada, encourage civic participation, and inspire fellow citizens. 

Facts About Outreach Volunteering:

• We are not setting specific dates at this time. Those who register on this page will be notified as soon as possible about volunteer opportunities at outreach events. At that point, you can let us know if you are available. 
• Spots are limited for each event.
• Opportunities may include working alongside an FNW staff member, with another volunteer, or on your own. If you sign up for an event without an FNW staff member, you will meet at the office before the event to get the necessary supplies and training. After the event, volunteers will coordinate a time to return the supplies to the northern Nevada FNW office in Sparks. 
• Events are mainly in the Reno/Sparks area, but there may be others in the region.
• While at events, outreach volunteers represent Friends of Nevada Wilderness and must treat everyone with respect, maintain FNW's reputation as credible and trustworthy, and generally behave in a way that reflects well on the FNW community as a whole. 
• Volunteers must be able to physically help set up the table, pop-up shelter, and stand on their feet for periods of time while talking to event attendees.

Interested in volunteering locally?

Sign up below!

We need friendly faces to help with outreach events around southern Nevada! If you like talking to people, are passionate about wilderness and dark skies, and are looking to get involved closer to town, look no further. Those who register on this page will be notified as soon as possible before an outreach event. At that point, you can let us know if you are available. 

Primary Topics for Outreach:

• Save Starry Skies! 
  • Promote the value of dark skies, talk about dark sky areas folks can visit across the state, and promote our 'Save Starry Skies' License Plate
• Volunteer Recruitment
  • Encourage folks to sign up for a volunteer project, talk to them about upcoming opportunities, and answer questions about the volunteer experience. 
• Public Lands Protection
  • Discuss current threats to public lands in Nevada, encourage civic participation, and inspire fellow citizens. 

Facts About Outreach Volunteering:

• We are not setting specific dates at this time. Those who register on this page will be notified as soon as possible about volunteer opportunities at outreach events. At that point, you can let us know if you are available. 
• Spots are limited for each event.
• Opportunities may include working alongside an FNW staff member, with another volunteer, or on your own. If you sign up for an event without an FNW staff member, you will meet at the SNV office before the event to get the necessary supplies and training. After the event, volunteers will coordinate a time to return the supplies to the southern Nevada FNW office. 
• Events are mainly in the Las Vegas Valley, but there may be others in the region.
• While at events, outreach volunteers represent Friends of Nevada Wilderness and must treat everyone with respect, maintain FNW's reputation as credible and trustworthy, and generally behave in a way that reflects well on the FNW community as a whole. 
• Volunteers must be able to physically help set up the table, pop-up shelter, and stand on their feet for periods of time while talking to event attendees.

Join us this year in the Mt Moriah Wilderness as we take on Horse Canyon! This is your chance to be part of a hands-on effort to restore a beautiful backcountry trail and make it safer and more enjoyable for everyone who visits.

We’ll be rolling up our sleeves and getting to work—clearing overgrown brush, removing downed trees, rebuilding sections of trail, and possibly building features like rock steps, retaining walls, and armored drainages. Whether you’re new to trail work or have experience, there’s a role for you on this project. We’ll share more details about trail conditions after our spring scouting trip.

Trail work isn’t just hard work—it’s meaningful work. By improving and maintaining this trail, you’ll help protect the surrounding landscape, reduce impacts to fragile ecosystems, and create a durable path for future visitors. You’ll leave with new skills, a strong sense of accomplishment, and a direct connection to the land you helped care for.

Come be part of this rewarding trip, we’d love to have you out there with us.

You can see more pictures from the area here.

Learn more about the Mt Moriah Wilderness area here.

Information

Difficulty level: Challenging- see our difficulty rating 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. 

When: Friday May 22nd - Monday May 25th

Where: Mt Moriah Wilderness Area - about 6.5 hours from Reno and roughly 5 hours from Las Vegas there will be no FNW vehicle leaving from the Las Vegas area.

Travel: An AWD vehicle is needed to reach the campsite, high clearance recommended, please contact staff if you have any questions. There are limited spots in FNW vehicles from Reno, there will be no FNW vehicle leaving from the Las Vegas area. 

What to bring: sturdy work or hiking shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sun protection, a pack with the ability to carry at least three liters of water, lunch, and snacks. As this is an overnight trip you will need camping gear, dinner for Thursday, lunch and snacks for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a camp chair, and any entertainment you would like for the evenings. Check out our suggested Packing List.

What to expect: In-depth information, such as weather, travel plans, parking/camping, and project specifics, will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project. This is a multi-day project; we will provide breakfast for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and dinner for Saturday and Sunday. You will need to provide food for yourself on Friday, lunches, and any other snacks you would like. We will hike to the project area with all tools, safety equipment, lunch, and whatever else you may need for the day, and we will return to camp in the afternoon to make dinner. 

Are Dogs Allowed? Due to the dangerous nature of trail maintenance, no dogs are allowed on this project. 

What we need from you: If you're interested in joining us for this project, you must RSVP. When you RSVP, you are committing to join us on this project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. If you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project.

Want to bring a friend? All participants must RSVP individually (even partners, spouses, children, etc). Please send them to this link and tell them to sign up.

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

We can't wait to see you out there!

Musk Thistle Your Time is Up

Join us for a Tuesday in Mount Rose Wilderness! We will meet at the Hunter Creek trailhead at 8 am on Tuesday, June 2nd, and hike to a location along Hunter Creek Trail as a group to remove the invasive musk thistle. 

Check out these photos from a weed removal project last year.

Read more about Mount Rose Wilderness here!

Information:

Difficulty: Moderate - See our difficulty rating 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: Hunter Creek Trail

Dates: Tuesday, June 2nd, 8am - 3pm

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. Check out our 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 here or email owolff@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 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].

Come help us maintain the North Loop Trail in the Spring Mountains! We will be visiting this trail 3 times this summer to make sure it's in fantastic condition!

Winter weather often leaves the trails in the Spring Mountains looking a little less than desirable, which gives us a great opportunity to get out there and do some good work that will benefit everyone on the trail!

Trail maintenance is essential for keeping our Wilderness areas open, safe, and enjoyable for all, while also protecting the natural ecosystems from unnecessary damage. Trail maintenance is very important work and is highly rewarding! By maintaining existing trails, there is less overall damage to our Wilderness areas, and rebuilding damaged trails creates a safe and durable surface (a key principle of Leave No Trace) for trail users to experience these Wilderness Areas. As a volunteer, you’ll help cut back overgrown brush, clear fallen trees from the trail, and learn sustainable tread repair techniques to redirect water from the trail to prevent erosion. No experience? No problem! Friends of Nevada Wilderness will provide all the training, tools, and safety gear you’ll need. All you need to bring is your love of the outdoors and a willingness to get your hands dirty for a good cause.

Check out these photos from a previous North Loop project here! 

This project is possible thanks to the Mt. Charleston License Plate Grant! 

Information

Difficulty level: 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.

When: Thursday June 4th, 8AM-4PM

Where: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, North Loop Trail

What to bring: sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sun protection, a pack with the ability to carry at least three liters of water, lunch, and snacks. Check out our suggested Packing List.

What to expect: In-depth information, such as weather, trailhead, parking, and project specifics, will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project. Day of: Friends staff members will provide any tool training necessary for the project. We will meet in the morning for a safety/stretch circle and to talk about the project, and then we will hike to the project site and begin working, stopping for lunch and snack breaks as necessary. 

Are Dogs Allowed? Due to the dangerous nature of trail maintenance, dogs are not allowed on this project. 

What we need from you: If you're interested in joining us for this project, you must RSVP. 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 this project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. If you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project.

Want to bring a friend? Please do!! All participants must RSVP individually (even partners, spouses, children, etc.). Send them the link for the event and make lasting memories 

We can't wait to see you on the trail!

For more information on volunteering with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, check out our volunteer information page here!

Migrating Wildlife Says "Thank You!"

Spend a weekend in the beautiful and pristine Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge while working on restoration projects that will help improve wildlife habitat and re-naturalize the area. This project will directly help improve the natural area, wildlife, and their habitat. 

An article from High Country News says, "Fence ecology research shows that the West is a wiry place, containing enough fencing to circle the equator 25 times. Sage grouse, peregrine falcons, and other birds collide with fences, and ungulates 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; woven wire with barbed wire on the top, like that on Horse Prairie, is particularly lethal. 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 habitat remaining in North America. Protecting this habitat and enhancing its health is an important part of minimizing the possibility of an Endangered Species Act listing of the sage-grouse. 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 our Sheldon fence pulls last year 

Check out our Stewards of Sheldon video and Sheldon Story Map.

Information:

Difficulty: Challenging - See our difficulty rating 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.  

Location: Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Dates: Thursday, June 4th - Sunday, June 7th

Travel: An AWD vehicle and high clearance is recommended to reach the campsite. We will leave Reno on Thursday Morning, returning Sunday afternoon. A limited number of spots are available in Friends trucks from the Sparks Office to transport volunteers, and carpooling is also an option. 

Food: Breakfast and coffee are provided on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and a big group dinner (with dessert) on Friday and Saturday nights. Volunteers must bring their own lunches and snacks.

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.

Are Dogs Allowed? Due to the dangerous nature of fence removal, no dogs are allowed on this project. 

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

Want to bring a friend? All participants must RSVP individually (even partners, spouses, children, etc). Please send them this link and tell them to sign up.

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].

Join us for a Tuesday in Mount Rose Wilderness! We will meet at the Hunter Creek trailhead at 8 am on Tuesday, June 2nd, and hike to a location along Hunter Creek Trail as a group to remove the invasive musk thistle. 

Check out these photos from a weed removal project last year.

Read more about Mount Rose Wilderness here!

Information:

Difficulty: Moderate - See our difficulty rating 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: Hunter Creek Trail

Dates: Tuesday, June 9th, 8am - 3pm

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. Check out our 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 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].

Join us for a hands-on stewardship day in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area as we work to restore habitat by removing invasive plants around MacFarland Spring. We’ll be removing invasive mullein (Verbascum thapsus) that has established near the spring. This is a great project for first-time volunteers or anyone looking for an approachable day of field work. Mullein is easy to identify and remove, and our team will provide all the guidance you need.

Mullein spreads quickly in disturbed areas and can outcompete native plants, especially in sensitive environments like springs. Its dense growth can crowd out more diverse native vegetation and alter how water and soil function in the area. Removing it helps restore the native plant community. It’s straightforward, hands-on work where you can see the impact as you go.

Come out, learn something new, and help restore an important spring ecosystem.

Information

Difficulty level: 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.  

When: Thursday June 11th, 8AM-4PM

Where: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Bonanza Trailhead

Travel: A high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended to reach the trailhead. There will be limited spots available in FNW trucks. If you need a ride, please reach out ASAP. Detailed driving directions to the worksite will be provided about 1 week before the project. 

What to bring: sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sun protection, a pack with the ability to carry at least three liters of water, lunch, and snacks.

What to expect: In-depth information, such as weather, trailhead, parking, and project specifics, will be sent to those who RSVP about 1 week before the project. Day of: Friends staff members will provide any necessary training for the project. We will meet in the morning for a safety/stretch circle and to talk about the project, and then we will hike to the project site and begin working, stopping for lunch and snack breaks as necessary.  

What we need from you: If you're interested in joining us for this project, you must RSVP. 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 this project. We understand circumstances may arise where you need to cancel. If you’re no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so another volunteer can join the project.

Want to bring a friend? Please do!! All participants must RSVP individually (even partners, spouses, children, etc.). Send them the link for the event and make lasting memories 

We can't wait to see you on the trail!

For more information on volunteering with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, check out our volunteer information page here!