NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
Help clean up the Black Rock Desert on National Public Lands Day,
Sept. 28, 2002
If only everyone who visited the Black Rock Desert were as environmentally
conscious as Burning Man participants. Alas, they’re not.
To help celebrate National Public Lands Day, September 28, The Bureau
of Land Management is enlisting volunteer help from Friends of the Black
Rock, the Oregon-California Trails Association, Trails West, Friends of
Nevada Wilderness, the Great Basin Institute, the Nevada Conservation
Corps and the general public for a weekend of work, celebration and exploration.
Each year, National Public Lands Day promotes shared stewardship of our
public lands by developing a strong conservation ethic through community
participation and environmental education. This event is one of more than
70 volunteer projects on BLM lands across the country.
The Work
On Saturday, September 28, volunteers will team up with the BLM to work
on the following projects: Habitat restoration from human impacts; eradicating
invasive weeds; repairing sections of road through High Rock Canyon; and
the always-necessary trash clean-up. There will be work for all levels
of fitness and enthusiasm. The BLM will provide snacks and drinks. Bring
a lunch if you need to eat more.
The Fun
Friday and Saturday nights (September 27 and 28), we will have a campout/celebration/barbecue
on the Black Rock playa. Saturday night, hot coals, meat, soda and beer
will be provided. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. If you
have a guitar or other musical instrument, a tall tale from the Old West,
or another form of (legal and safe) fun to share, please bring it along.
Breakfast Sunday morning will be courtesy of Friends of the Black Rock.
Hot coals, but no food, will be provided Friday night.
The Exploration
On Sunday, September 29, there will be outings to the Black Rock proper,
Fly Canyon, Paiute Peak and Soldier Meadows. These trips will give people
a chance to explore some of the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon country
and leave enough time for the long drive home.
What to Bring
You will need to bring everything necessary to survive in the desert,
including food, water, shelter, and camping and cooking equipment. Protect
yourself from the sun with long sleeves, sunscreen and a sun hat. Bring
comfy clothes for camp and extra layers for cold nights and sudden storms.
Some food and drink will be provided for Saturday night and Sunday morning,
but please consider bringing an appetizer, dessert or drink to share for
Saturday. You will need your own food for Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast
and maybe lunch/snacks Saturday and Sunday. For work, bring long pants
and shirt, sturdy work shoes and work gloves. If you have tools, such
as rakes, shovels, picks or Pulaskis, please bring them. We’re expecting
a lot of volunteers, and there might not be enough tools to go around.
Although dogs are allowed on BLM land, please consider leaving them at
home. The desert is not a dog-friendly environment. It might be very hot,
and there will be no shade or water.
Please RSVP
Please RSVP to one of the people below. We need a good idea of how many
people are coming, so we can chase down the appropriate staff, tools,
food, toilets and other essentials. When you contact us, we’ll give you
specifics of where we’re camping and other updated information.
For More Information
Joey Carmosino, BLM Winnemucca, (775) 623-1771
Frederick Osterhagen, Friends of the Black Rock, Oregon-California Trails
Association, (775) 885-2687
Brian Beffort, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Friends of the Black Rock,
(775) 324-7667
Thank for your assistance! 
