Dear Friend,
The month of June is a great time
to visit the Black Rock Desert-- summer will soon be here, and the playa beckons. Wildflowers are still in bloom on the hillsides and
temperatures are not too hot just yet. This week's thunderstorms are helping to keep things cool and they also make for spectacular skies. Some parts of the southern playa are still pretty moist, so exercise caution if you go out exploring. To find out up-to-date conditions, visit our website.
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Black Rock Rendezvous Recap
By all accounts, our annual Memorial Day event was a great success. This year's event was visited by about 240 people, with most of the various tours going off without a hitch. Meals provided by Black Rock Pizza and our own pal Spoon were fantastic, beer from Buckbean and Great Basin breweries was very tasty, and music and fire performances were enjoyed thoroughly. All of that fun, and everyone still had an opportunity to connect to the beauty and history of the desert. As the event grows and diverse groups come together sharing a common interest, it's important that we listen to YOU, the lovers of the desert. If you attended this years event, please take a minute to fill out this event survey.
Volunteers
Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped pull together the biggest Rendezvous to date-- whether you came from Winnemucca or Reno, or maybe even from California or somewhere else, you know who you are. Special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped on direct service projects. While one team built fence around a protected dune on the playa with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, another went into Fly Canyon and removed old barbed-wire fence. Not all of you got your special volunteer T-shirt-- Sheena from Friends of Nevada Wilderness will be contacting you to make sure that we can get them to you. These projects are helping to safeguard and improve our public lands, and we sincerely appreciate your participation. And, it was fun!
Annual Meeting
At the annual meeting of the Friends of Black Rock High Rock on Sunday, both Dennis Porter and David Book were re-elected to the board of directors. Will Roger Peterson was re-elected President, Jim Kudrna is our new Vice-President, and Dan O'Day was elected Secretary (pending his acceptance-- he couldn't make it for the event). Also, Friends member Tonya Flint volunteered and was appointed Treasurer. Congratulations! Thanks to Sam Stern and Lucy Moreton-Hall for their service as officers of the board of directors-- we have been fortunate to be the beneficiaries of your counsel and efforts.
 Rendey Wear. We have a Bunch of Rendezvous T-shirts still!! They are on sale through the end of June. Get yours at the discount price of just $12 by going here.
Lost & Found. Who lost their keys? Call us if you did at 775-557-2900.
Photos Wanted. Did you take great photos? We'd love to see them. Please send photo links you are willing to share (with credits or other requirements) to info@blackrockdesert.org
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June / July Happenings
June 15 - 17: National Riparian Team in Gerlach. This collaborative group will combine the best known spring management practices in the nation with the knowledge of interested local experts to determine how to repair and protect several eater sources that have been adversely impacted by feral horses. While this workshop and field trip is not open to the general public, Friends will be involved and will keep you updated about the outcomes of the project.
June 20: Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge cleanup. With Pat Bruce and Friends of Nevada Wilderness, more info here.
June 20: Gerlach/Empire Highway 447 cleanup. Friends and local volunteers will pick up litter along the highway, 2 miles either side of the Empire Store. Interested volunteers should contact volunteer@blackrockdesert.org.
June 27 - 28: Amateur Radio at Black Rock Hot Springs info here
Read David Book's article: "HAMS at Black Rock Hot Springs for Field Day."
Every Weekend - Volunteer at the VCS in Gerlach. Come spend a weekend camping or enjoying ravioli at Bruno's and lend a hand at the Visitor Contact Station.
Kick back in the shade, meet area visitors and provide travel
information. It's easy to learn and an interesting way to spend your
weekend. Full-day or split shifts available.Interested volunteers should contact volunteer@blackrockdesert.org.
July 4- 5: Hot Spring Tour. Join David Book for a trip to various local hot springs. For more information or to RSVP, contact David at dbook@gbis.com.
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Planning Your Summer
July 10 - 12: South Jackson Mountains project. sign up
July 18 - 19: Guru Road Restoration sign up
August 22-25: Emigrant Experience. Make your plans now to step back in time with area expert and historian Chuck Dodd as he takes a select group of travelers along the historic Emigrant Trail. For more information or to make reservations click here.
See http://blackrockdesert.org/friends/event for more details.
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