Jarbidge Wilderness in Elko County, one of America’s first wilderness areas, was protected with the 1964 Wilderness Act. Now, there are about 23 wilderness areas on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. These wilderness areas help provide us with clean drinking water, fresh air, places for our wildlife and places for us to get away. They are part of the legacy we leave our children.

Unfortunately, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest doesn’t have the staff or funding to really take care of all these extraordinary places. So, in 2008, Friends of Nevada Wilderness entered into our first partnership agreement with the forest to help them care for our forest wilderness. Wilderness belongs to all of us, and we all share a responsibility to be wise stewards. Please join with us to help make a difference!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Come out on a wilderness restoration or trail project with other folks like you who love their wild forest. Check out the current projects – click here.

• Become a wilderness monitor for your favorite wilderness – go hiking or horseback riding and help collect information about visitor use, invasive weeds, trail condition, etc. We’ll train you in what to look for and how to fill out some simple forms. It’s easy – honest!

• Be the eyes and ears for your forest wilderness whenever and wherever you are out hiking. Be sure to take some extra garbage bags and pick up any litter you find along the trail. This will give you good garbage karma and help make the experience better for the next wilderness traveler.

• Spread the wilderness stewardship word to friends and family. Take your kids on a wilderness hike, and let them know why wilderness is important for their future.

• Send us your photos showing the beauty of Nevada's forest areas and friendly people enjoying these great wild places. Help us document the recreational and family-fun potential of our forests — on this website and in other educational materials. Contact Brian Beffort (see right-side panel) with your photos.

Special Thanks!

Our successful forest partnerships wouldn’t be possible without all our wonderful volunteers and our member’s generous gifts. We also want to thank the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest staff and other partners like the National Forest Foundation, REI, American Hiking Society, Franklin J. Koch Animal and Wildlife Fund, Recreation Trails Program and Mt. Charleston License Plate funds.

Together we can do so much!