Dear Friend,
Hot August days are here in Black Rock Country and summer isn't over yet. If you're in Reno this Thursday, ride your bike to First Thursday at the Nevada Museum of Art from 5-7 pm. The following week, on Thursday August 13, we will be back at the Museum for their screening of Dust & Illusions: A History of Burning Man. That same week is the Perseids Meteor Shower Camp Out. One of our favorite events of the year, the camp out is your opportunity to meet new Friends and learn more about the night sky. Then, you can visit us out on the Playa during Burning Man at the BLM interpretive camp located in or near Center Camp. Last but not least for the month is the one-of-a-kind Emigrant Experience Tour.
Extra bonus: Scroll down and get a first-hand peek at the cover of the new Black Rock Desert 2010 calendar.
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Experience the Emigrant Trail, Aug. 22-25
 The
annual Emigrant Experience Tour is back, this year as a four
consecutive-day trip, hosted by trails expert and author Chuck Dodd.
This one-of-a-kind trip will take you across the entire Black Rock
Desert / High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area,
with stops along the way at Rabbit Hole Spring, Black Rock Point, the
Lassen Clapper Murder Site, Soldier Meadows, High Rock Canyon, Stevens
Camp and over Fandango Pass in Surprise Valley down to Goose Lake. Register by August 14th. For more information click here or email metric@blackrockdesert.org. |
Perseids Star Party Campout. Aug 10-16.
Although
the showers peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, the campout lasts all week
long, culminating in a social hour on Saturday evening, August 15. All
week long, camp with Friends president Will Roger in deep playa. Porta
potties will be on site. Bring all of your own food and water, shade,
etc., for leave-no-trace camping. On Saturday, Will will be serving up
his famous margaritas. This event is free, but we do encourage anyone
who loves the desert to join Friends. The campsite is typically a few
miles south of Black Rock Point. Directions will be posted on the
Visitor Contact Station just outside of Gerlach and at the
Muesum/Office in Gerlach, at 380 Main Street. For more information click here. |
How The West Was Won
The Evolution of
Public Lands - Burning Man 2009
Public Lands - a legacy
unique in the world, a concept
envisioned by our forefathers and passed down through generations,
entrusted to all Americans to protect and conserve. From the Louisiana
Purchase to the westward migration and gold rush, from the building of
railroads and great dams to nuclear testing in the Nevada Desert -
Public Lands and the formation of the major land managing
agencies played a crucial role.
Dave Mensing of Great Basin Institute has developed this Burning Man
theme camp complete with a traveling art car stage and interpreters in period
dress. This exhibit will tell the story of the development of public
lands in the west and educate Burning
Man participants about this valuable legacy. Friends will be there with the visitor station to lend a hand.
 STOP BY and visit us at the camp on the Center Circle next to Earth Guardians.
VOLUNTEER with us for a few hours, even better if you have 1800s period clothing.
Contact volunteer@blackrockdesert.org. |
National Public Lands Day Sept. 18-20.
This year, NPLD brings Friends to a base camp near the playa dunes. In partnership with the Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Nevada Outdoor School, volunteers will work on several service projects in the area, and have fun socializing in the evenings. Friends will be there with plenty of shade and refreshments for the weekend. Work projects include, High Dry Playa clean ups, Salt Cedar treatment, Dunes fencing, a special kids project and more. For more information click here.
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First-ever Black Rock Desert Calendar is on it's way.
The photos have been selected and printing is in progress. By the end of August we should have our calendar available to you for purchase online, in Gerlach, or select other locations to be announced. We're very pleased with all of the submissions and want to thank each and every photographer for their part in making this fund raising project come to fruition!
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What's your Black Rock story?
We're always looking for articles for our newsletter, and our next newsletter will be published in the fall. Members receive this newsletter twice per year. If you have a story, experience, news or opinion to submit please contact margie@blackrockdesert.org. Photos are also encouraged.
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