Veterans for Peace Opposes Military Expansion into Desert National Wildlife Refuge
August 8, 2019 -
Veterans For Peace strongly opposes the expansion of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) and increased Air Force control over Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
The National Desert Wildlife Refuge (NDWR) is located next to the Nevada Test and Training Range. The United States Air Force is attempting to take over and reduce access to over a million acres of the Refuge for bombing and combat training. The NDWN is a protected refuge that includes hundreds of species and our natural and cultural heritage.
Celebrate the Stars at Dark Sky Festival Aug. 2, 3
July 30, 2019 – The uniquely dark skies of northwest Nevada and eastern California will be celebrated at free public events this weekend in Cedarville, CA. The celebration is sponsored by a partnership including the Bureau of Land Management, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Cedarville businesses.
Go Wild for Art! Friends of Nevada “Wild Artivist” ArTown Gallery Returns in July
July 15, 2019 -
Once again, the Friends of Nevada Wilderness office will undergo a transformation into one of the area’s premier art galleries as part of the annual ArTown celebration. Art and nature lovers will enjoy a variety of visual art including paintings, photography, mixed media and more – all celebrating the colors, textures, and beauty of wild Nevada.
The Friends of Nevada Wilderness Gallery and Fair will run from July 19 – July 26. Gallery hours are 10am to 6pm, every day but Sunday.
New York Times - Bombing Range or Nature Preserve? A Battle for Control of the Nevada Desert
June 25, 2019 -
DESERT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Nev. — Beams of sunlight shone through the clouds like a celestial spotlight on a recent evening in the Mojave Desert, lighting up cliffs, tracts of yucca plants and slabs of volcanic rock covered with ancient stone carvings.
Nevada Legislature Sends Strong Bipartisan Message to Congress Opposing Military Expansion in Wildlife Refuge
Carson City, NV – In a nearly unanimous bipartisan vote, Nevada state legislators have adopted a resolution telling the U.S. Congress they are strongly opposed to the U.S. Air Force’s plan to expand the training facility at the Nellis Test and Training Range (NTTR) into more of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The 2.9 million-acre bombing and training range currently sprawls across three counties in the southern part of the state. The Air Force now wants another nearly quarter million more acres. The U.S. Congress is expected to act on the proposal next year.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Recognizes Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary in Congressional Record
April 18, 2019 – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today presented Friends of Nevada Wilderness with a framed copy of her April 4 Congressional Record statement recognizing the designation of the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Only the 7th Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world designated in Washoe County
March 30, 2019 -- The Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area in far northern Washoe County, Nev. has been designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, only the seventh place in the world with the elusive designation.
“This designation literally puts Washoe County on the Dark Sky map,” Friends of Nevada Wilderness Shaaron Netherton said. “We are just thrilled that this special place has been recognized for its natural values.”
Legislative Committees Unanimously Oppose Military Expansion into Desert National Wildlife Refuge
March 22, 2019 - Members of the Natural Resources Committees in both the Nevada Assembly and Senate have said a resounding NO to the U.S. military's proposed expansion into the heart of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, closing even more of the refuge off to the public.
In unanimous bi-partisan votes, the committees approved two joint resolutions, AJR2 and SJR3, expressing their reasons for opposing the expansion to the already sprawling 2.9 million acre military training facility. The resolutions will now be scheduled for votes before the full Assembly and full Senate.
Forest Service Says NO to Oil and Gas Leases in Ruby Mountains!
March 14, 2019 - After receiving thousands of comments from Nevadans opposed to a plan to allow oil and gas leasing in the Ruby Mountains, the U.S. Forest Service announced today that it is denying the application.
A private entity had requested access to 53,000 acres of land in the NE Nevada mountain range, often referred to as the "Alps of Nevada" for purposes of exploring for oil and gas reserves.
But Forest Service officials concluded there was little potential of discovering oil or gas and that the overwhelming public opposition and threats to the recreational, wildlife habitat, and scenic values outweighed the need to drill.
"The public won a major victory today," said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends. "We applaud the U.S. Forest Service for making the right decision. Thanks to everyone who raised their voices to defeat this disastrous proposal. This victory belongs to them."
New Poll: Nevadans Favor Public Lands Conservation Over Energy Production
From Public News Service
CARSON 
CITY, Nev. – Almost two-thirds of Nevadans oppose the Trump administration's emphasis on energy production over conservation on public land, according to a new poll.
Researchers for the ninth annual "Conservation in the West" poll from Colorado College surveyed 400 registered voters in eight western states, including Nevada. They found that 64 percent of Nevadans want Congress to focus on protecting air, water and land – compared with 25 percent who said more drilling and mining should be a higher priority.
