cabin clean up crew

Volunteer!

As a Friends of Black Rock volunteer you are an integral part of the future of Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon. The Friends of Black Rock – High Rock works in this beautiful landscape to preserve its natural and historic assets.

Conservation projects are a great way to explore, connect with new and old friends, and give back in a safe zone with our stewardship team. These projects are the perfect excuse to head out into some of Nevada’s most spectacular backcountry and discover remote wilderness you might not otherwise see. Our events in Reno are a great way to meet new people and to get to know Friends better, too.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Fly Ranch Volunteers

When: On going
Where: Fly Ranch and FBRHR Visitor Center Store

  • Help guide people through Fly Ranch!
  • Have opportunities to become Leave No Trace Trainers and Wilderness First Aid Certified!

To fill out our Questionnaire, click here, or please contact our Conservation Project and Outreach Coordinator at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org

May 31-June 2
National Trails Day

Where: Gerlach/Black Rock Desert
When: May 31-June 2

We’ll be doing some heavy lifting working on the Upper High Rock Canyon trail and Steven’s Camp Cabin in the NCA. Come out for food, campfires, and good times in the desert! 

Click here to Sign Up, or  contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

June 2019

June 14-16
Trego Hot Springs Father’s Day Clean-Up

Where: Black Rock Desert
When: June 14th – June 16th

Trego Hot springs is one of the area’s biggest Hot Spots in the Black Rock Desert, with hundreds of visitors each year, no facilities, and a lot of reckless recreation. Join us at Trego Hot Springs to help clean up the area! We’ll be working to replace barriers and renaturalize the area on Father’s Day weekend. We’ll be hosting a Potluck dinner Saturday night!

Click here to Sign Up, or  contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

June TBD
Nevada Outdoor Experience 2019

Where:  Capital City Gun Club in Carson City, 3590 Arrowhead Drive.
When:  Sat. 9am – 1pm

Join Friends of Black Rock – High Rock at this free family event designed to excite and inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists. Organized by the Wild Sheep Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, multiple organizations from around the area will have their experts present to offer hands-on learning experiences for children and their families. Free youth raffles take place throughout the day.

Check out the YouTube video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXurU-AoWEU

  • Stations include: archery, metal detecting, gold panning, BB gun range, rock climbing, fly tying, crafts, conservation, wildlife identification, rocks and minerals, laser shot, duck calling, and so much more.
  • Free youth raffles donated by Sportsman’s Warehouse.
  • There is something for every member of the family at this fantastic outdoor youth expo.
  • FBR-HR will be on-hand doing Leave No Trace and Outdoor Ethics Outreach.
  • We will have a tent and, as usual, will have all the info you need or want to know about the Black Rock Desert – High Rock Canyon area.

Sign ups coming soon. Contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

July 2019

July 4-7
4th of July with Friends 2019

Where: Playa Campsite, Coordinates TBD
When: July 5th-July 7th (We will be setting up camp Friday, July 5th, around lunchtime.)

Come hang out with Friends on the Black Rock Desert playa 4th of July Weekend for a beautiful, informative, and all-around good time this Independence Day. This is a Leave No Trace camp out event.

  • We will be bringing two porta-potties, and we will have shade set up. So feel free to stop by and say hello.)
  • Activities will include tours of the area, camp games, great food, and moon and star gazing. We will be leading a guided hike up Steamboat Rock from 9am-12pm on Saturday.
  • We will also be doing outdoor ethics outreach.
  • This is a camp out event. Come find us if you have any questions about the area.
  • Happy Hour with hors d’oeuvres and lawn games on Saturday from 5-7pm.


Click here to Sign Up, or contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

July 27-28
Black Rock Point Campout

Where: Black Rock Point Campsite. GPS Coordinates TBD.
When: July 27-28

Join our newest stewardship program! We’ll be doing some restoration work on the dunes, cleaning up around the hot springs, and having all the fun at Black Rock Point. It’s also the height of the Delta Aquarids Meteors, so come to help out and stay to take advantage of the dark skies!  

Click here to Sign Up, or  contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

 

August 2019

August 3-4
Wilderness First Aid

Where: Gerlach
When: August 3-4

August 3-4 is a really busy weekend! We’re hosting our annual Wilderness First Aid Course, which is always interesting, fun and informative. If you’re not on the class this year, we need your help in the shop and at Fly Ranch. All 3 opportunities are a great way to get involved with Friends, meet people, and share the Black Rock love. WFA Course and Shop sign ups at the link below. Fly Ranch positions are at the nature walk sign-up page or email us for information on joining the Fly Team.

Click here to Sign Up, or  contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

August 9-11
Perseids Meteor Shower Campout 2019

Where: Coordinates TBD
When: Aug. 9th – 11th

Come join us in the Black Rock Desert to watch the stars! Enjoy a weekend of fun, good food, and good people while enjoying the Perseid Meteor Shower under dark skies.

  • FBR-led day tour to Double Hot and Black Rock Hot Springs with an optional self-guided hike up to Black Rock Point.
  • This is a weekend camp out event.
  • Please bring camping gear, food, and all other items and materials you may need.
  • Non-Members are more than welcome to come out for this event, but we will be having a Members’ BBQ Saturday evening.
  • We will be accepting Memberships on-site for those wanting to join.


Click here to Sign Up, or contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

 August 26 – Sept 3
Burning Man Outreach

Where: Black Rock City
When: Aug 26th – Sept 3rd

  • Help out on playa or in the Last Chance Outpost
  • Leave No Trace outreach and education to be conducted in partnership with Earth Guardians and the BLM.
  • Exact events TBD.
  • Must have ticket to the event to participate. (No ticket needed to help out in the shop)
  • Week long camp out event.
  • Complimentary meal ticket for commissary.


Sign ups coming soon. Contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

September 2019

September 14-15
End of Season Trego Clean Up

Where: Trego Hot Springs and Campsite
When: September 14-15

Trego is one  of the most used sites in the NCA, and unfortunately, not everyone who visits does a good job of leaving no trace. We’ll be out helping clean up the site and advocating for good environmental ethics among all users. Come out and end the season with stewardship and a soak! 

Click here to Sign Up, or  contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

Sept 27 – 29
National Public Lands Day

Where: Soldier Meadows Cabin & Hot Springs
When: Sept 27th – 29th

Join us as we partner with Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Nevada Outdoor School, and the BLM – Nevada for a fun weekend of camping and volunteering at Soldier Meadows Cabin, Sept. 27th – 29th.

  • We will be working specifically in the Desert Dace habitat in the hot springs, so please bring waders or wellies if you have them.
  • This is a continuation of an on-going multi-year project to remove overgrowth that causes flooding and allows the Green Sunfish to threaten and attack the endemic Desert Dace.
  • Other projects include trash clean-up around Soldier Meadows Cabin and any repairs inside, as necessary.
  • We will meet at the Friends Office, 320 Main St. Gerlach and caravan out to Soldier Meadows Cabin for anyone wanting to follow. 

Click here to Sign Up, or  contact us at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org for more info.

Citizen Science Projects

When: On going at any time
Where: Various locations throughout the region

  • Become a citizen scientist!
  • Stop by the office for information on collecting data with EddMaps West (invasive weeds), Stories in the Snow (snow crystal photography), iNaturalist (plant & animal surveys) and other programs you can use during your trip.
  • Your data goes to the Nevada Department of Agriculture, DRI, and other local scientists and researchers. Be part of a project!

Note: Group training sessions available at our large group camp outs.

For more information, click here, or please contact our Conservation Project and Outreach Coordinator at volunteer@blackrockdesert.org