How to Be a Wilderness Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Together we can keep our public lands and wilderness areas safe and clean. We would love to see you at our next stewardship project. Below is some information to make sure you are prepared to become a rockstar volunteer.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness hosts varied types of volunteer opportunities. Our stewardship teams get volunteers out on the ground working hard to restore, protect, and maintain our public lands. Our volunteers in Northern and Southern Nevada work on restorative plantings, noxious weed pulls, build new signage and vehicle barriers, assist with outreach projects, and so much more!
If you are interested, please fill out the Volunteer Signup form at the bottom or RSVP for a specific trip in our Calendar of Events.
What to Expect
“I met new friends while sharing the work, witnessed the beautiful scenery of Nevada’s wild lands, and appreciated the leadership and good humor of the FNVW staff, who provided the coordination, emphasis on safety, and demonstrated their culinary skills at camp meals!” - Kathy Bobseine
“I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend volunteering with FNW. I loved being able to protect Nevada’s wildlife while spending a couple nights camping in the Santa Rosa’s. Not to mention the delicious food and lovely people! I can’t wait for the next trip!”
– Lauren Greeney, Reno, NV, on Sage Grouse Fence Marking.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness volunteer projects take place away from the city in places like Mt. Charleston, Gold Butte National Monument, Black Rock Desert or Mt. Rose Wilderness. For single day projects, volunteers typically have to provide their own transportation to the trailheads. For overnight projects, we offer a limited number of rides in our vehicles and encourage people to provide their own transportation if they can. Remember, every volunteer project is unique. Before each project we will contact you with specific information to make sure you feel fully prepared.
If you are providing your own transportation, we will let you know the meetup site, directions, road conditions and available services. If you have any transportation questions, please contact the assigned stewardship coordinator.
Proper Gear
When working with tools it is important to have the correct gear for safety and comfort. Most of our stewardship events require the use of tools. For your safety, we provide the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the project. This may include gloves, hard hat, or eye protection. We require that volunteers wear long pants and closed toed shoes (no sandals). Our main job is to ensure all volunteers have fun and return safely. If you have any questions about what to wear, please contact the assigned stewardship coordinator.
Supplies for the Project
We offer two types of volunteer opportunities: single day and overnight.
For single day projects you will need to pack: a lunch, water for the day and snacks. For good measure, Volunteers should carry about 3 liters of water. We will have extra water at the trailhead to top off your bottles and reservoirs. Bring a lunch that will be heavy enough to satisfy your hunger but light enough to keep you energized through the remainder of the project. It is also recommended that you carry energy and/or electrolyte infused snacks or drinks.
For overnight projects you will need to pack: a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, camping plates and utensils, a day-pack, and a way to carry at least 3 liters of water. In Southern Nevada, food provided varies with each project. In Northern Nevada, bring a dinner for Friday night, lunches, and snacks (we'll provide breakfast with hot coffee/tea and a delicious dutch-oven dinner Saturday night). If there is camping gear you need, let us know as we have some extra to lend out.
Other Ways to Volunteer
We do understand that preforming physical labor for several or more hours may not be a good option for everyone. Don’t worry, there are other ways to get involved. We have a rapid response team that uses email and social media platforms to raise awareness for causes. The Rapid Response team is sent alerts to attend important public meetings and provide comments on environmental issues. Most of these options can be completed at home or require minimal physical impact. We encourage you to become involved by joining as a member. Membership starts at $25 a year and all donations go towards Keeping Nevada Wild!