March 24, 2026 – Friends of Nevada Wilderness plans to engage volunteers in more than 40 stewardship projects in 2026, an ambitious statewide effort despite the loss of some federal funding, primarily from the Bureau of Land Management.
The field season schedule has been released and volunteers are encouraged to sign up soon as slots fill up quickly for these popular outings.
Nevada has the highest percentage of federally-managed land in the nation, but BLM stewardship funding agreements approved in previous years are currently on hold and may be permanently disapproved. In the meantime, Friends’ private donors have come through with enough new funding to support the stewardship season.
“We can’t thank enough the businesses and individuals who came through for us in these uncertain times,” said Friends Executive Director Shaaron Netherton. “Because of them, we are once again able to lead teams of volunteers out to some of our most wild places to help steward these lands we all love.”
“Our public lands are for everyone to enjoy, and that can result in some wear and tear,” said Friends Stewardship Director Chris Cutshaw. “Extreme weather and wildfire can also wreak havoc. Our volunteers play a vital role in keeping these special places safe and accessible for people, and in restoring habitat where plants and wildlife can thrive.”
Volunteers have a wide variety of projects and places from which to choose, from Mt. Charleston in the south, to the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in the far north to Mt. Moriah in eastern Nevada, Mt. Rose in the west and many points in between. The projects range in difficulty from easy to challenging in physical exertion. Some are single-day projects; others involve backpacking and camping for multiple nights in remote areas. Project types include invasive weed removals, fish habitat and springs restoration, fence removal, and hiking trails maintenance.
In 2025, more than 400 volunteers contributed over 4,500 hours of service, demonstrating the growing role of community support in the wake of capacity challenges at federal land management agencies. Over the years, the Friends’ Stewardship Program has contributed several million dollars in in-kind support to care for our public lands.
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Maintaining the Griffith Peak Trail in Spring Mountains National Conservation Area
Photo by Tyler Morris
Removing old barbed wire fence in Soldier Meadows - photo by R. Reed
