In 2007 the Friends of Black Rock began work on the Coyote Springs Restoration project, as mandated by the NCA guidelines administered by the BLM, and in partnership with volunteers from Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Nevada Outdoor School, and the Burning Man Earth Guardians. The project aims to use volunteers to restore this fragile ecosystem (which is inhabited by Kit foxes) and to erect a low impact barrier around the site to restrict vehicle access.

The project began with the removal of vehicle tracks from the dune and the most obvious approaches from the playa. Eroded dune material (dirt) was replaced by shoveling displaced material back onto the original mound. A roadway that had developed from inappropriate vehicle use was removed by working the ground into a rough texture, and then indigenous vegetation was transplanted to facilitate the retention of wind-blown native seeds and to camouflage the damage. Litter and other detritus (like toilet paper) was removed from the fox dens and the vicinity of the spring. Sections of rustic-looking buck and pole fence have been constructed around much of the dune, with the intention of preventing vehicle entry into the recovered areas. Carsonite signs have been installed which indicate that the area is closed to vehicle traffic.

This year we plan to complete the fencing of this ecologically fragile dune. Please join us on Sunday May 24th (during the Black Rock Rendezvous on Memorial Day weekend) to help finish the project. Food will be provided, and fun will be had by all! Sign up below, and/or contact our volunteer coordinator at: volunteer@blackrockdesert.org .