As one of our valued volunteers, you make up an integral part of the future health of the Black Rock National Conservation Area.
Our conservation projects and programs are a great way to explore, connect with friends (old and new), and give back to your community in a safe and fun environment. In addition to being a steward of your public lands, volunteering is the perfect excuse to see some of Nevada’s most spectacular backcountry. Our events in Reno are a great way to meet new people and to get to know Friends better, too!
For more information on specific projects and to sign-up, keep scrolling!
Saturday, March 14th, 2026: Visitor Center Clean up and BBQ
Help us get our visitor center ready for the busy season! This space is the heart of our operations, it's the starting point for our tours, the hub for campout preparations, and the place where many good memories are made with our members and volunteers. Join us as we tidy up, make repairs, and get everything in top shape for another great season ahead
Sunday, April 12th, 2026:
Site-Stewardship Project #1
Our stewardship projects can take place in a variety of locations, including microplayas, hot springs, dunes, and the vast playa. Activities may involve picking up trash, removing burn scars, and cleaning or restoring hot springs. While we haven’t chosen a specific site yet, we plan to step in and help wherever it’s needed as visitors leave behind impacts on the land. Location will be posted at a later date. If you have any questions email info@blackrockdesert.org
We will start to gather at the FBRHR Visitor Center at 320 Main Street in Gerlach at 9:00am on Sunday, May 12th. At 9:30, we will caravan together to the stewardship site, where we'll kick things off at 10:00am and remain until the project wraps up around 12:30pm. Stick around afterwards to join staff and other volunteers for lunch!
Sunday, April 26th, 2026:
Site-Stewardship Project #2
Our stewardship projects can take place in a variety of locations, including microplayas, hot springs, dunes, and the vast playa. Activities may involve picking up trash, removing burn scars, and cleaning or restoring hot springs. While we haven’t chosen a specific site yet, we plan to step in and help wherever it’s needed as visitors leave behind impacts on the land. Location will be posted at a later date. If you have any questions email info@blackrockdesert.org
We will start to gather at the FBRHR Visitor Center at 320 Main Street in Gerlach at 9:00am on Sunday, May 12th. At 9:30, we will caravan together to the stewardship site, where we'll kick things off at 10:00am and remain until the project wraps up around 12:30pm. Stick around afterwards to join staff and other volunteers for lunch!
Sunday, May 24 2026:
Site-Stewardship Project #3
Join us for our Black Rock Rendezvous conservation project! Black Rock Rendezvous is our annual campout to celebrate and learn about this remarkable desert landscape. On Sunday we will head out from our playa base camp and take part in hands on stewardship activities. Our site projects may take place in a variety of locations, including microplayas, hot springs, dunes, and the vast open playa. Activities may include picking up trash, removing burn scars, and cleaning or restoring hot springs. While we haven’t selected a specific site yet, we plan to assist wherever it’s needed to help protect and preserve this desert for all who visit. Any questions email info@blackrockdesert.org
June 6-7, 2026:
Site-Stewardship Project #4 National Public Trails Day
June 6–7 National Public Trails Day: Join us at Stevens Camp for a weekend of trail maintenance along the Upper High Rock Canyon trail once traveled by emigrants in the 1800! We will also be working to upkeep the public cabin for visitors passing through the area. Group dinners will be provided.
Sunday, June 21st, 2026:
Hot Spring Stewardship Project #5
Join us for our Hot Springs Conservation Event - We will be visiting Black Rock Hot Springs and Double Hot Springs to pick up trash and help maintain these special desert sites. Along the way we will learn about their cultural significance to both the Native Paiute people and to the emigrants who traveled through the area in the 1800s. This is a great opportunity to explore the Black Rock and take part in protecting the unique natural and historical heritage.
Sunday, July 5th, 2026:
Fourth of Juplaya Stewardship Project #6
Our stewardship projects can take place in a variety of locations, including microplayas, hot springs, dunes, and the vast playa. Activities may involve picking up trash, removing burn scars, and cleaning or restoring hot springs. While we haven’t chosen a specific site yet, we plan to assist wherever it’s most needed and help reduce the impacts left behind after the Fourth of Juplaya weekend. Location will be posted at a later date. If you have any questions email info@blackrockdesert.org
Sunday, August 16, 2026:
Perseid Meteor Shower Site-Stewardship Project #7
Friends of Black Rock will be hosting a Perseid Meteor Shower Campout this weekend - We will start this conservatioin project from our playa base camp. We will be visiting Black Rock Hot Springs and Double Hot Springs to pick up trash and help maintain these special desert sites. Along the way we will learn about their cultural significance to both the Native Paiute people and to the emigrants who traveled through the area in the 1800s. This is a great opportunity to explore the Black Rock and take part in protecting the unique natural and historical heritage.
September 26-27, 2026:
National Public Lands Day Stewardship Project #8
Every year we head out to Soldier Meadows for National Public Lands Day to take part in conservation in this unique region. Scattered with hot springs and home to the one of a kind Desert dace, a rare fish that thrives in the hot waters of these springs. Soldier Meadows is a special place within the Black Rock Desert to explore and protect. While our exact projects haven’t been chosen yet past efforts have included cabin maintenance, fence removal, and monitoring creeks and hot springs for the Desert dace species. Join us for this campout and help care for one of Nevada’s most remarkable desert ecosystems!
