July 27, 2012
Save the date: August 17 - 19, 2012
SHELDON FINAL FENCE PULL
_gstafford_400x304.jpg) Volunteers pulling fence on the Sheldon. You can help finish the job AND celebrate! Photo (c) Graham Stafford
Get ready for a great event and blow-out celebration!
On August 18, Friends of Nevada Wilderness will remove the final
bit of unneeded fence internal to the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. Already, many
miles of fence have been removed by Friends' field crews and dedicated
volunteers. Join us for the final piece.
Celebration will include a fabulous desert
luau - bring your wildest Hawaiian shirt - prizes
will be awarded.
An amazing barbeque will be offered
up by chefs, Craig Demetras and Pat Bruce.
YOU are invited! Come out to volunteer to work
on the fence or just to celebrate! We will be on site Friday, August 17 and will pack
out Sunday, August 19.
RSVP by email to Darcy. Let us know
if youll be joining us to pull fence or celebrate, or both!
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Bonanza Extravaganza
by Katie Sanchez
Thirteen dedicated volunteers spent the 4th of July with
us and our SCA interns in the Mt. Charleston Wilderness at the Bonanza
Extravaganza.
 Volunteers rebuilding a water bar (c) Jose Witt
With the help of these volunteers, we were able to improve 13
water bars and restore 120 feet of switchback cuts on the Cold Creek side of the Bonanza
Trail. We got to see some storm clouds roll in while we were out there, and made it
back into town in time for thunderstorms, cookouts and fireworks! We really appreciate
all who came out to spend their holiday giving back to our wild lands in southern Nevada.
 Intrepid volunteers send Fourth of July smiles from the slopes of Mt Charleston (c) Jose Witt
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Exploring the Pahute Peak Wilderness
by Brian Beffort
 Volunteers surveying a valley of springs from an overlook on the west slope of Pahute Peak (c) Brian Beffort
The weekend following the Fourth of July, five volunteers joined
me for a backpack trip to explore the nooks, crannies, high reaches and wild waters of
the Pahute Peak Wilderness, in the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails
National Conservation Area. It was a great opportunity to celebrate our nations birthday
by caring for our public lands.
Read the full story here.
 BLM hydrologist John McCann looking over a riparian area in the Pahute Peak Wilderness (c) Brian Beffort
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Fourth annual Dutch oven cook-off
by Brenna Archibald
The 4th annual Dutch oven cook-off will be Saturday, August 25th
at Riverview Park in Winnemucca. I want to extend an invite to each of you (since
I know many of you are fantastic at cooking with dutch ovens) and let you know that
we still need cooks!! We only have one cook registered so far, and many
community members are already interested in tasting each dish!
 Dutch-oven cookoff flier (small)
I have attached the
registration packet
for all who are interested in cooking or taste-testing some great Dutch-oven cuisine.
I believe we also are still looking for judges, as well!
It should be a great family event at the park so please invite
others who may be interested. I've also attached our
flyer that
has more information. We would love to have you out with us this year!
Nevada Outdoor School Community Outreach Specialist, Charlee
Ricker is in charge of the event, so please feel free to contact her with questions
or for more details. Hope to see you there!
Email Charlee
Ricker for more info and to register.
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Citizen Stewardship Initiative
by Wes Hoskins
All photos for this story are (c) Graham Stafford
Friends of Nevada Wilderness is wrapping up a series of projects
made possible by the generous support of the Humboldt County Secure Rural Schools Resource
Advisory Committee. Friends has teamed up with the Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) and the
Santa Rosa Ranger District to complete a diverse mix of projects we call the Citizen
Stewardship Initiative.
 Volunteers revegetating wildfire-scarred Tom Basin
Our projects have included native plant revegetation
in areas scarred by wildfire, fence surveys, campsite restoration, trailbuilding and
picnic table refurbishing in the Lye Creek Campground. So far, our five
weekend camping trips have attracted 68 volunteers, who contributed 900 hours of labor
worth $19,600 in service to Nevadas public lands. Fifteen kids participated as part
of the NOS kids camps. For many of the young campers, it was their
first exposure to Lye Creek Campground as well as their first stewardship project.
 Volunteers refurbishing picnic tables at Lye Creek campground
It was an incredible experience to see the
passion of everyone
on this project regardless of age, said Brenna Archibald, Friends Winnemucca-based
Stewardship Project Coordinator. All of the campers were so proud to be making a
difference on the campground, and their personal contributions were evident —
immediately showing what a powerful difference a few volunteers can make.
 Young volunteers helped heal Tom Basin
 Volunteers revegetating wildfire-burned Tom Basin
The Citizen Stewardship Initiative still has one project
to go: National Public Lands Day with the US Forest
Service September 14th through the 16th. The event will be
on the Santa Rosa Ranger District. Come join the fun!
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