We are excited to share that we will be participating in the 2024 Latino Conservation Week!

Friends of Nevada Wilderness organizará una caminata grupal en español e ingles que comenzará en Hunter Creek Trailhead, cerca de Galena Visitors Center. ¡Hablaremos sobre Leave No Trace, Wilderness y Oportunidades de conservación en Nevada durante la caminata! Esta hermosa área a las afueras de Reno esta lleno de flores silvestres, tiene mucha sombra de los pinos y el arroyo corre con agua cristalina.

Latino Conservation Week: Disfrutando y Conservando Nuestra Tierra is an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation. Latino Conservation Week was created to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources.

 This year Latino Conservation Week is September 14th - 22nd the events during this week bring the Latino community together on a variety of engaging events from guided hikes and camping trips, to trash clean ups and film screenings, bringing the Latino community together to promote conservation efforts and provide an opportunity to show their support for permanently protecting out land, water, and air.

During this hike there will be educational components about Wilderness, Leave No Trace, and the benefits to stewarding these lands. It will also be a time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes we have so close to Reno and enjoy the company of other Latinos in the outdoors. This beautiful area just outside of Reno is lush with blooming wildflowers, has plenty of shade from the pines, and the creek is rushing with crystal clear water. This hike will be family friendly and guided by Meg Tait our Bilingual Stewardship Coordinator. More details below and an email will be sent out a week before the event. If you are Latino or know of Latinos who might be interested, please spread the word and let’s get everyone disfrutado y conservando nuestra tierra (to enjoy and protect out earth)!

*This event is designed to hold space for the Latino Community in the Outdoors please refrain from participating if you do not identify as Latino/a.

Information:

Difficulty: Easy: The hike is family friendly. We will be hiking no more than 2 miles with some elevation gain. 

Location: Hunter Creek Trailhead (Google maps location)

Dates: Saturday, September 21st, 9 am - 12 pm

Gear/Clothing: Comfortable clothes and closed toes shoes. Bring at least 2 liters of water and sunscreen. 

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

Photos from 2023 Latino Conservation Week Hike

More information on Latino Conservation Week!

RSVP is required to participate.

¡Se requiere RSVP!

2024 National Public Lands Day at Soldier Meadows!

We're excited for 2024 National Public Lands Day! Come out and have a blast with a weekend full of projects, fun, and great food (including a Dutch Oven cook-off)! There will be multiple projects for all skill levels, camping in a beautiful location, and a great community of people. You don't want to miss this one, RSVP and save your spot today! Some of this year's projects will include: 

1 - Fence removal to improve wildlife habitat throughout Soldier Meadows! 

2 - Cabin/campground cleanup, trash removal, and beautification 

And more to come! We are still in the planning phase and will have projects for every level! Check back for updates closer to the event!

As always, this project is free! We will be providing breakfast with coffee Saturday and Sunday as well as a delicious dinner on Saturday night. For this project, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is not required to reach the campsites (as long as it's not too wet), but, higher clearance and good tires are recommended. We have camping gear available for those who need it.  We will have limited space in Friends trucks to transport volunteers and carpooling is an option as well. 

Check out photos from last year's National Public Lands Day here!

Information:

Difficulty: All Levels. There will be projects available for all skill levels and children. 

Location: Soldier Meadows

Dates: Friday, September 27th - Sunday, September 29th

Travel: For this project, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is not required to reach the campsites (as long as it's not too wet), but, higher clearance and good tires are recommended. 

Food: Breakfast and coffee are provided on Saturday and Sunday, Dutch Oven Cook-off and potluck 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: Details such as exact camping location, projects, daily schedule, and weather-related factors will be provided to those who have RSVP'd on a date much closer to the project. Plans are subject to change. We will always give as much notice as possible when this happens.

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].

We are excited to share that we will be participating in the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month by leading a Stewardship Project in the Spring Mountains!

Friends of Nevada Wilderness organizará un projecto grupal en español e ingles en los Spring Mountains. ¡Trabajaremos para mantener y mejorar esta área. Próximamente se darán más detalles del proyecto! Esta hermosa área a las afueras de Las Vegas esta lleno de flores silvestres y mucha sombra de los pinos.

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latinx community. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is all about respecting and honoring Hispanic people and Hispanic Americans contributions to America and to the US. 

During this project we will be stewarding these lands by maintaining and improving an area within the Spring Mountains. More details about this project to come. It will also be a time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes we have so close to Las Vegas and enjoy the company of other Latinos/Hispanics in the outdoors. This beautiful area just outside of Las Vegas is lush with blooming wildflowers and a lot of shade from the pines. This project will be guided by Meg Tait our Bilingual (English and Spanish) Stewardship Coordinator. More details below and an email will be sent out a week before the event. If you are Hispanic/Latino or know of anyone who might be interested, please spread the word and let’s get everyone disfrutado y conservando nuestra tierra (to enjoy and protect out earth)!

*This event is designed to hold space for the Latino/Hispanic Community in the Outdoors please refrain from participating if you do not identify as Latino/a.

Information:

Difficulty: Easy: The 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: To be determined

Dates: Saturday, October 5th, 8 am - 2 pm

Gear/Clothing: Long pants, sturdy closed toed shoes, and long sleeve. Bring at least 2 liters of water, snacks, a hat, and sunscreen. 

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

RSVP is required to participate.

¡Se requiere RSVP!

We are excited to share that we will be participating in the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month by leading a Family Friendly Group Hike!

Friends of Nevada Wilderness organizará una caminata grupal en español e ingles que comenzará en Fletcher Canyon Trailhead. ¡Hablaremos sobre Leave No Trace, Wilderness y Oportunidades de conservación en Nevada durante la caminata! Esta hermosa área a las afueras de Las Vegas esta lleno de flores silvestres y mucha sombra de los pinos.

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latinx community. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is all about respecting and honoring Hispanic people and Hispanic Americans contributions to America and to the US. 

During this hike there will be educational components about Wilderness, Leave No Trace, and the benefits to stewarding these lands. It will also be a time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes we have so close to Las Vegas and enjoy the company of other Latinos/Hispanics in the outdoors. This beautiful area just outside of Las Vegas is lush with blooming wildflowers and a lot of shade from the pines. This hike will be family friendly and guided by Meg Tait our Bilingual (English and Spanish) Stewardship Coordinator. More details below and an email will be sent out a week before the event. If you are Hispanic/Latino or know of anyone who might be interested, please spread the word and let’s get everyone disfrutado y conservando nuestra tierra (to enjoy and protect out earth)!

*This event is designed to hold space for the Latino/Hispanic Community in the Outdoors please refrain from participating if you do not identify as Latino/a.

Information:

Difficulty: Easy: The hike is family friendly. We will be hiking about 2 miles round trip. 

Location: Flectcher Canyon Trail

Parking and Meeting location: Acastus Trail:  NV-157, Mt Charleston, NV 89124

Dates: Sunday, October 6th, 9 am - 12 pm

Gear/Clothing: Comfortable clothes and closed toes shoes. Bring at least 2 liters of water and sunscreen. 

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

RSVP is required to participate.

¡Se requiere RSVP!

We are looking for volunteers to help us at this year's Wild and Scenic Film Festival! This year the event will be held at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park - there will be food, drinks, and an exciting selection of inspiring short films about adventure, education, and advocacy in our environment. This event is our yearly flagship fundraiser for Southern Nevada, and we can't pull it off without some help from our amazing volunteers! Everyone who volunteers will of course receive free admission in exchange for their time.

Difficulty: This project is suitable for a wide range of physical abilities. It’s great for individuals new to volunteer conservation work.

What you will be doing: We'll meet at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park at about 3:30. We will need help with set-up and take down before and after the event. We will also need assistance with will call and ticket sales, running the raffle table, and directing parking. If anyone is willing to do so, we might need someone to embody Hayford the Bighorn (and attendants to guide Hayford and Smokey Bear). If you have a TAM card and are licensed to serve alcohol, please let us know - we need one more volunteer to help us bartend. The event will wrap up at about 9PM.

What you need to bring: Wear closed toed shoes and clothes you feel comfortable moving around in. Bring some water for throughout the day (we will bring some jugs to refill) and some snacks of your choice to enjoy during the films. Don't forget to bring some sun protection in the form of a hat and sunscreen as we will be outside from the afternoon into the evening. IT WILL BE COLD IN THE EVENING! So, make sure to bring something to keep you warm, like a jacket, once the sun goes down. Bring a picnic blanket or a low back lawn chair for seating during the films, and most importantly, bring your excitement for the film festival and an open heart for this year's selection!

What we will bring: We will bring water jugs for refills throughout the day and some snacks if you need to refuel. We will take care of all that we need to bring for set-up and take-down, so all you need to do is show up!

We will be in touch with those who RSVP more as we get closer to the event, but for now don't hesitate to reach out to Clarice ([email protected]) if you have any questions!

Join us at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park on Saturday October 12, 2024 for the twelfth annual Las Vegas Wild and Scenic Film Festival!

Friends of Nevada Wilderness invites you to join us for the 12th annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The event will be held at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park on October 12. Festivities will begin at 4:30 and films will begin at 6:30. We are looking forward to gathering with our community once again to celebrate the human spirit and activism in the outdoors. 

Doors will open at 4:30pm with a community fair to allow folks to get to know local conservation organizations and have an opportunity to grab some food and reserve their spot on the lawn. We will have a raffle, silent auction, and will be able to enjoy our films while immersed in the natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The films will begin at 6:30pm and we expect to wrap up at about 9pm. 

Proceeds from the film festival help Keep Nevada Wild through our stewardship, advocacy and outreach programs.

Tickets on sale now! Click here to purchase

What is the Wild & Scenic Film Festival?

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival works with environmentally conscious groups across the globe to inspire activism in our local communities through the power of film.  We hope to use the festival to encourage a better community understanding of the connection we share with the planet and emphasize our role as stewards to keep it healthy for the next generations.

Why Friends of Nevada Wilderness?

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is Friends of Nevada Wilderness' flagship fundraising event to further our mission of protecting and stewarding wilderness in Nevada.  It's a place to meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts, learn about local and global environmental issues, and support our efforts to get boots on the ground in our backyard wild places.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Huge Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!

Knit seeks to build community through four key areas of work. Each of these areas is a critical component to a resilient and successful community. Come take a look and be part of the conversation about the places where you live, learn, work, and play. It is our honor to support the Wild & Scenic Film Festival each year and the work Friends of Nevada Wilderness does to protect Nevada’s wild lands.

WestStar Credit Union has served employee organizations across Nevada for nearly 50 years.  Their efforts continue to focus on understanding the unique needs of Nevada organizations in service, excellence, and convenience. They are continually expanding and revising their products and services to exceed your expectations and provide the most from your membership.

Join us in Restoring Mount Rose Wilderness! 

In Spring 2024, volunteers will work hard to remove invasive musk thistle from Mount Rose Wilderness! This fall, we will head into Mount Rose Wilderness to spread native seeds in these recovering riparian areas and help bring back native plants. We will hike bags of seeds from native grasses and pollinator-friendly plants, spread them across the meadows by hand, and then let nature take them from there. These are fun projects that usually only take half a day to complete, but can make a huge difference in the ongoing restoration efforts. 

Information:

Timing: Seeds are the most successful if spread right before snow or rain, so therefore, we are not setting specific dates at this time. Our timeframe is Late October through mid-December. Those who register on this page will be notified as soon as possible before we head out (about a week's notice). At that point, you can let us know if you are available to join us. Spots will be limited on those projects. 

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 2-6 miles, partially off-trail, creek crossings, steep hills up and down, carrying a shovel, using the shovel, bending up and down. We will carry no more than 10 lbs of seed each. These projects may not be appropriate for children under 12 years of age. 

Location: 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. 

RSVP/Registration: If you are interested in joining us, please register below. We will contact you as soon as possible before a re-seeding project (about a week's notice). Because this is weather-dependent, flexibility in scheduling is necessary, thanks for your understanding. 

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 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].

PLEASE NOTE: We are not setting specific dates at this time. Seeds are most successful if spread right before snow or rain, so therefore flexibility in scheduling is necessary.

Sawmill Fence Removal Pt. 1

Ready to challenge yourself and help wildlife? Let's go pull some fence! Join us on October 19th in the Spring Mountains for the first of two days dedicated to removing a dilapidated fence surrounding a spring complex. This fence, originally built to keep livestock out of the springs, has become unnecessary and fallen into disrepair. Removing old, broken-down barbed wire fences like this one is crucial for wildlife because they can cause injuries or fatalities to animals that get entangled in the sharp wires. Additionally, old fences fragment habitats, hindering wildlife movement and access to food and water, which causes stress and negatively impacts the overall health of wildlife populations. 

The work will include removing old barbed wire fence and metal posts, rolling up the wire, and hiking it about 0.25 miles to load in a trailer. Fence removal is a fun and rewarding project in which you can literally see the impact you are making on the landscape. No prior experience is necessary. Volunteers are essential in this effort—come help make a difference!

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. We will be hiking to the fence site and walking through thick vegetation, in a large spring complex, with varied elevation levels. 

What to wear/bring: Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy closed-toe shoes. A small day pack to carry food/snacks/water/anything else you may need (like hat, rain jacket, sunglasses etc.). Please bring snacks and lunch, and the ability to carry at least 3 liters of water. We will have water to refill your vessel. FNW will provide gloves, eye protection, hard hats, tools, and all necessary training. 

Date/Time: Saturday, October 19th at 9 am to mid-afternoon. Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and get situated.

Location/Driving: Parking is limited at the work site, so we will meet at a nearby location and shuttle to the worksite for the day. Meet up location will be shared with those who volunteer about a week before the project. 

Further Details: Closer to the time of the project, we will be sending out information regarding project location, weather, itinerary, driving directions, etc. 

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

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: https://www.nevadawilderness.org/sawmill_fence_removal_pt_1 

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].