Join us the weekend of May 2nd in the beautiful and remote Desert National Wildlife Refuge! We'll be removing highly invasive Russian thistle, better known as tumbleweed. Although tumbleweeds may bring to mind romanticizied images of the Old West, the reality is far less charming. Russian thistle spreads rapidly across desert ecosystems, competing with native plants for precious moisture and creating a host of problems. In late fall, the plants dry out, break loose, and scatter thousands of seeds across the landscape while also posing fire hazards by piling up along fences and tree lines. Left unchecked, they can drastically alter the landscape.

Join us for a rewarding weekend outdoors and make a real difference in preserving the Mojave Desert!

Learn more about the Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Information

Difficulty: Moderate - See our difficulty rating scale 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. The project involves carrying a shovel, using the shovel, bending up and down, and walking on rough terrian within the worksite. 

Location: Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Dates: May 2nd - May 4th

Travel: We will meet at the Corn Creek Visitor Center mid-day on Friday, May 2nd, and caravan to the campsite from there. It is a two hour drive on a rough road from the Visitor Center to the campsite. A 4WD high-clearance vehicle is required to reach the campsite. Let us know ASAP if you need a ride, there are a limited number of spots available in FNW trucks. 

Food: Breakfast and coffee are provided Saturday and Sunday mornings as well as a big group Dinner Saturday night with dessert! 

Gear/Clothing: Please wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy work or hiking shoes. Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp chair, plates, utensils, etc. Camping gear available for loan. Suggested Packing List 

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: www.nevadawilderness.org/refuge_russian_thistle_removal

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 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].

Join us for a morning of artful reflection at the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway! We will be meeting in the morning at the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway classroom to learn about how to nature journal and to reflect on the wild world of the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway. If you have never done nature journaling before, don't worry! We will teach you how.

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. The walk will be less than a mile on an easy trail. 

When: Saturday, May 10th, 10AM-2PM

Where: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Kyle Canyon Visitor Gateway

What you need to bring: Please bring a lunch, snacks, a water bottle, and comfy shoes to go for a walk in. Please also bring sun protection in the form of a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, or whatever else you may need.

What to expect: We will provide small, beginner nature journals as well as colored pencils. We will meet in the morning in the classroom, discuss the Spring Mountains and how to nature journal, and then head outside for a short walk on the trails just outside of the Visitor Center. Upon returning, we will spend some time in reflection and make entries into our new nature journals!

What we need from you: If you're interested in joining us for this event, you must RSVP. Friends of Nevada Wilderness and our partners put a great deal of time and resources into organizing our events. When you RSVP you are committing to join us. 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 person can join.

Want to bring a friend?  All participants must RSVP individually (even partners, spouses, children, etc). All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. If you know someone who would like to join, please send them this link and tell them to sign up: https://www.nevadawilderness.org/smnra_naturejournaling.

Let's Maintain a Trail!!

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.

Come make a difference, connect with fellow trail-lovers, and experience one of Nevada’s most beautiful backcountry areas like never before. Sign up today and be part of something wild!

Check out previous project pictures from the trail 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. We will be hiking with all gear and tools to the project site where we will be cutting back

When: Friday June 13th - Sunday June 15th

Where: Arc Dome Wilderness Area (roughly 5.5 hours from Las Vegas)

Travel: A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is recommended to reach the campsite. There are limited spots in FNW vehicles from Las Vegas. Reach out ASAP if you need a ride. 

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 Friday, lunch and snacks for Saturday and Sunday, a camp chair, and any entertainment you would like for the evenings. Check out our suggested Packing List.

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

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 and Sunday, and dinner for Saturday. 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. 

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? 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].

We can't wait to see you out there!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be part of re-building a trail?! Well, now's your chance!

Hampton Creek on the Southeast side of Mount Moriah Wilderness needs your help! During 2014 a large area of Mount Moriah Wilderness was affected by a wildfire and two floods that damaged the Hampton Creek Trail. We will be re-building the trail within it's original corridor by digging tread, doing rock work, and creating drainage to establish a safe and useable trail for future trail users. This is a great opportunity to learn new trail skills and, of course, it's going to be a fun weekend of volunteering with great people and rewarding results.

Trail work is very important work and is highly rewarding! By maintaining existing trails there is less overall damage to our Wilderness areas and re-building damaged trails creates a safe and durable surface (a key principle of Leave No Trace) for trail users to experience these Wilderness Areas. 

You can see more pictures from the area here.

Learn more about the Mount Moriah Wilderness area here.

Information

Difficulty level: Most Challenging- see our difficulty rating here. Strenuous with longer hikes, off-trail hiking, sometimes with significant elevation changes. These trips are very challenging and require excellent aerobic conditioning, past experience in outdoor settings, and familiarity with backcountry hiking and/or camping. Not for beginners. 

When: Thursday June 26th - Sunday June 29th

Where: Mount Moriah Wilderness Area (roughly 5 hours from Las Vegas and about 6.5 hours from Reno)

Travel: A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is recommended to reach the campsite. There are limited spots in FNW vehicles from Reno and Las Vegas. Reach out ASAP if you need a ride. 

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 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and dinner for Friday and Saturday. You will need to provide food for yourself on Thursday, 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. 

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? 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].

We can't wait to see you out there!

Hampton Creek on the Southeast side of Mount Moriah Wilderness needs your help! During 2014 a large area of Mount Moriah Wilderness was affected by a wildfire and two floods that damaged the Hampton Creek Trail. We will be re-building the trail within it's original corridor by digging tread, doing rock work, and creating drainage to establish a safe and useable trail for future trail users. This is a great opportunity to learn new trail skills and, of course, it's going to be a fun weekend of volunteering with great people and rewarding results.

Trail work is very important work and is highly rewarding! By maintaining existing trails there is less overall damage to our Wilderness areas and re-building damaged trails creates a safe and durable surface (a key principle of Leave No Trace) for trail users to experience these Wilderness Areas. 

You can see more pictures from the area here.

Learn more about the Mount Moriah Wilderness area here.

Information

Difficulty level: Most Challenging- see our difficulty rating here. Strenuous with longer hikes, off-trail hiking, sometimes with significant elevation changes. These trips are very challenging and require excellent aerobic conditioning, past experience in outdoor settings, and familiarity with backcountry hiking and/or camping. Not for beginners. 

When: Thursday Sept 4th - Sunday Sept 7th

Where: Mount Moriah Wilderness Area (roughly 5 hours from Las Vegas and about 6.5 hours from Reno)

Travel: A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is recommended to reach the campsite. There are limited spots in FNW vehicles from Las Vegas. Reach out ASAP if you need a ride. 

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 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and dinner for Friday and Saturday. You will need to provide food for yourself on Thursday, 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. 

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? 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].

We can't wait to see you out there!

Hampton Creek on the Southeast side of Mount Moriah Wilderness needs your help! During 2014 a large area of Mount Moriah Wilderness was affected by a wildfire and two floods that damaged the Hampton Creek Trail. We will be re-building the trail within it's original corridor by digging tread, doing rock work, and creating drainage to establish a safe and useable trail for future trail users. This is a great opportunity to learn new trail skills and, of course, it's going to be a fun weekend of volunteering with great people and rewarding results.

Trail work is very important work and is highly rewarding! By maintaining existing trails there is less overall damage to our Wilderness areas and re-building damaged trails creates a safe and durable surface (a key principle of Leave No Trace) for trail users to experience these Wilderness Areas. 

You can see more pictures from the area here.

Learn more about the Mount Moriah Wilderness area here.

Information

Difficulty level: Most Challenging- see our difficulty rating here. Strenuous with longer hikes, off-trail hiking, sometimes with significant elevation changes. These trips are very challenging and require excellent aerobic conditioning, past experience in outdoor settings, and familiarity with backcountry hiking and/or camping. Not for beginners. 

When: Thursday October 2nd - Sunday October 5th

Where: Mount Moriah Wilderness Area (roughly 5 hours from Las Vegas and about 6.5 hours from Reno)

Travel: A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is recommended to reach the campsite. There are limited spots in FNW vehicles from Las Vegas. Reach out ASAP if you need a ride. 

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 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and dinner for Friday and Saturday. You will need to provide food for yourself on Thursday, 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. 

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? 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].

We can't wait to see you out there!