From the Front Lines: Giving back is a beautiful feeling 2 Wilderness: Nature’s laboratory 3 Take A Hike: Fish Lake Valley: A Geologic Wonderland 6 Stewardship 2007: Off to a great start 7 8 INSIDE2007 volunteer trips: Mark your calendar

Friends of Wilderness SPRING 2007 Preserving the past: Volunteers protect ancient rock art

By Pat Bruce

On May 12 Friends of Nevada Wilderness volunteers joined forces with the Ely BLM District to protect ancient rock art from off-road vehicle Kilala, Angelina and Zoe, the next generation of wilderness advocates. Photo by Brian Beffort trespass in the Weepah Springs Wilderness, about 90 minutes north of Las Vegas. The tracks Born to be crossed the wilderness boundary, entered w a wash, and led to rock art panels that are ild believed to be over 4,000 years old. Away from TVs, computers and DVDs, were partly selfish in organizing this “Families Our 10 volunteers made the tracks kids can just be kids in the Wild” trip in May. disappear in only a few hours. We then I want my son, Logan, to spent some time exploring this magical By Brian Beffort sticks into a mound of dirt. grow, play and explore “It’s a spider house,” she untrammeled by television, place and the pecked images left by people oe and Kilala spent said, for the spider she saw computer screens, traffic living here so long ago. We can only guess hours at the water, crawling there earlier. and the season’s must-have hopping from rock Here at Columbine toys. I want wilderness to at the meaning behind the images we to rock across the Campground, on the get under his skin. I want saw—bighorns, concentric circles, parallel creek, inevitably western border of Arc him to need wilderness as lines, and human figures that look to be getting their shoes Dome Wilderness in much as it needs him. Zand pants wet when they Central Nevada’s Toiyabe I also want to meet other waving their hands. These images have slipped. Logan was nearby Range, five families with parents who wish the same survived for thousands of years, and we in the shade, arms and kids between two and six things for their children. legs covered with dirt, years old were discovering What I didn’t expect was hope that the work we did that Saturday hammering tent stakes into wilderness—learning, how many other parents are will help to preserve them even longer. the ground—not because growing and exploring looking for the same thing. It is a great feeling to work for an a tent needed to be staked in the best classroom “I don’t want Angelina down, but because he liked available, the great sitting at home watching organization whose staff and members hammering. Next to him, outdoors. Angelina planted a grove of I confess my intentions continued on page 4 continued on page 7 2 www.nevadawilderness.org

OUR MISSION

Friends of Nevada Wilderness is dedicated to preserving all qualified Nevada public lands as wilderness, protecting all present FROM THE FRONTLINES and potential wilderness from ongoing threats, educating the public about the values of — and Giving back to the land is a beautiful feeling need for — wilderness, and My daughter graduates featured in this newsletter, who will improving the management and from High School this undoubtedly grow up to be champions of restoration of wild lands. June and will be heading our wild places. Northern Nevada Office for American University Learning about the pleasures and PO Box 9754 in August. Her diploma challenges waiting outdoors is a huge part Reno, NV 89507 carries a certificate of growing to cherish wild places. I love the (775) 324-7667 recognizing her four years fact that wilderness offers something to the Shaaron Netherton of volunteer service. I’d very young, the very old and everyone in Executive Director like to think as a mom, I between. Wild nature teaches and inspires [email protected] Shaaron helped inspire her to give everyone. Whether you’re a four-year-old Netherton back to the land and our community. splashing in a creek, a young buck climbing Brian Beffort As part of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, a peak, or an elder walking a wilderness Associate Director executive you have helped create a legacy of trail with your hiking sticks, it is a place for [email protected] director wilderness, which we will leave to our wonder and wisdom. Pat Bruce young people to carry on and nurture. I am Take the time this summer to become Field Project Coordinator heartened by the talented and caring young re-inspired. Bring yourself and your family [email protected] people, like my daughter and your kids and to a restoration trip, camp out, have fun Angie Dykema grandkids, who are willing to take on that and reconnect with the land. I promise Forest Project Coordinator responsibility. you’ll feel better, more connected, and more [email protected] I am also heartened by the youngsters committed to our beautiful wild places. Richard Knox Membership Coordinator Attention all Washoe County [email protected] residents: Action needed! You need Nevada wilderness! Rose Demoret And it needs you. Administrative Director [email protected] Washoe County is updating their Open Space Plan, which needs to include places like the Wilderness helps us remember the past and Petersen , the Virginia , the preserve it for the future. Leave a legacy of Board of Directors Pah Rah Range and many others. Please come wilderness by including Friends of Nevada Hermi Hiatt, and support your wild open spaces. Wilderness in your estate plans. State Chair The most common estate or legacy gift is a Karen Boeger, Rural Vice-Chair Two workshops (attend either one) simple bequest. To include Friends of Nevada Bart Patterson, Saturday, June 16 Wilderness as a beneficiary of your mutual Southern Vice-Chair fund, retirement account, life insurance policy Roger Scholl, 9:00-11:30 AM or will, you and your professional advisors will Treasurer Sun Valley Neighborhood Center need the following information: Sarah Perrault, 115 W. 6th Avenue, Sun Valley Secretary Bob Abbey 2:00-4:30 PM Friends of Nevada Wilderness Peter Bradley South Valley Libraries 1 Booth Street John Hiatt 15650A Wedge Parkway Reno, NV 89509 Ron Hunter Tax ID #: 88-0211763 Kurt Kuznicki Marge Sill For more information, contact: Lynda Nelson, Washoe County Parks, 823-6511 For additional information, please call [email protected] Bill Whitney, Open Space Program, 328-3617 Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director, at (775) 324-7667. www.nevadawilderness.org Susan Juetten, Sierra Club, 849-9377 http://nevadawild.blogspot.com

Join the team! Make a difference! Friends of Nevada Wilderness is looking for a Southern NV Outreach Coordinator. If you are someone who loves people, wilderness and making a difference to Nevada’s special places, contact us. If you know someone who would love to inspire others about Nevada’s wild places, please pass this on to them. For a copy of the job announcement, visit www.nevadawilderness.org, call (775) 324-7667 or email Rose ([email protected]) in our Reno office. www.nevadawilderness.org 3 Saving all Mail the parts: call The science Eastern Nevada of wilderness Travel Planning comments due By Peter Bradley and Brian Beffort The Forest Service is developing a transportation More and more, wilderness management is becoming a laboratory, a plan crucible, where we can observe for the Ely Ranger the intricate turning of the District in springs and gears of what Aldo All creatures have roles to play, but they need wild places to survive. Photo by Mike McCurry Eastern Leopold called the “natural Nevada. clock.” Large wilderness areas known by scientists all over the The comment connected to other diverse world as some of the best places period ends June wildlands can function as well- to study island biogeography; 21, 2007. Visit the FS oiled, finely-tuned ecosystems, website for maps and more right up there with the Galapagos details at: www.fs.fed.us/r4/ when all their parts are saved and Indonesian archipelagos and in proper order and htnf/projects/ely/2007/ely_ (read David Quammen’s book, travel/ely_travel.shtml function. The Song of the Dodo, to learn Take Yellowstone for example. more about this). Copies of the transportation After Yellowstone lost the wolf— As elsewhere, the complexity maps are available by one of its top carnivores—in the of Nevada’s natural systems calling the Ely Ranger 19th and 20th centuries, no one stretches far beyond the District at (775) 289-3031. expected, and few even noticed borders of our sky island Electronic comments can the simultaneous disappearance wilderness areas, and each be emailed to: comments- of vast riparian woodlands—the intermtnhumboldt-toiyabe- cog plays a role—from the [email protected] willow, cottonwood, ash and soil enrichment activities of mountain alder that grew along our gopher and ant species, the creeks and rivers. But when The Forest Service Sage grouse. Photo by Scott Smith to the seasonal migrations proposes to add about 254 land was protected as wild, and of our deer, elk, bighorn and miles of motorized routes the gray wolf was reintroduced, which led to improved breeding pronghorn, to the beaver’s to the Ely Ranger District’s all matter of ecological hell in elk and deer, which led to key role in preserving riparian transportation system. This broke loose. Or, was it heaven? more wolves, which…shall I go corridors for myriad migrators also includes a proposal to Reinserting the wolf gear into on? (songbirds, waterfowl and restrict motor vehicles to a Yellowstone’s ecological clock Nevada’s wildland clock bats) and year-round residents designated route system. With the proposed changes, provided an incentive for elk ticks similarly, even if some (otters, mink, muskrat, and not to dally in the river bottoms of “the gears” are different. As the Ely Ranger District western jumping mouse). The Transportation system after getting a drink, but rather elsewhere, our wild species need health and proper functioning of to return quickly to the security large complexes of wildlands, would include 1,062 miles Nevada’s ecological systems are of roads and trails open to of the deep woods. Willow and and migration corridors as dependant on the connections motorized use. Snowmobile other trees and shrubs returned, connecting these wildlands, between wilderness areas as on use would be closed in the which expanded the range and to roam, hide, hunt and breed the wilderness areas themselves. Murry Watershed above Ely. influence of beaver, which in in. But in Nevada, we have the Here we can learn a lesson turn expanded riparian areas, added challenge of sky-island from Yellowstone. If we are to Tell the Forest Service which provided habitat for river habitats; many of our species live preserve the beautifully intricate how important it is to keep vehicle use to designated otters; yellow warblers, Wilson’s high in the mountains separated ticking of Nevada’s natural clock, warblers, American redstarts by dry valleys and alkali playas routes in order to protect we must all work together to wildlife habitat and non- and white-crowned sparrows that might as well be mile-deep preserve all cogs and wheels once again had nesting canopy, blue oceans. The isolation leaves motorized recreational of Nevada’s ecological systems opportunities. The impact and accipiter hawks returned to high-elevation speciesvulnerable wherever they occur. of proposed new routes feed on the small birds, and so to inbreeding, genetic isolation Pete Bradley works for on wildlife habitat, riparian on. More wolves meant fewer and catastrophic collapse from the Nevada Department of areas, historical and coyotes, which let foxes and fire, global warming and disease. Wildlife and serves on the cultural resources, and weasels return, which allowed In fact, the Great Basin’s board of Friends of Nevada nonmotorized recreation grasses and forbs to recover, sky-island wilderness areas are WildernessNevada Wilderness. must also be evaluated. 4 www.nevadawilderness.org

Working on important outdoor skills, hammering stakes and building spider houses.

Family camp the opportunity to hike the Toiyabe Crest Trail behind the campground. “I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to Angelina works on her log-crossing skills. Photo by Laura Brigham continued from page 1 see it again. It was wonderful to hike through the aspen.” Want to learn more about camping with kids? videos,” said her mother, Jackie While Marge was enjoying her hike Green. “I love being outside, hiking in nature, the children were nearby, • gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/foghorn/camp_kids.htm and exploring, and I want to do these having a wilderness adventure of their • www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Tips/Kids.htm things with her. When I hike, I feel own. In less than a mile hiking into healthier, I gain perspective, and life Arc Dome, the kids looked at bluebells • www.lnt.org/programs/lnt7/index.html seems better. I want her to have that and watched hawks soar overhead. • Sharing Nature with Children, by Joseph Cornell same connection.” A couple of them experienced “I was watching the kids play, how the fear of being off-trail in the well they were intermingling,” said underbrush without mommy—a taste Zoe’s mom, Ting Hammond. “Kids of the inspiration and challenge that don’t need toys. They make their own. wilderness has to offer. Kids can play with rocks or sticks. It’s “I took an Outward Bound trip amazing what they come up with.” when I was younger, and our guide They also learned to pick up garbage talked about ‘feeling your edges,’ said when they found it, even if it came Jackie. “Pushing yourself beyond your from someone else. comfort level to meet challenges. I “These children are going to be want Angelina to challenge herself, to the guardians of wilderness in the feel her edges. If she knows she can future,” said founding Friends board do things and be self-sufficient, she’ll member Marge Sill, Mother of Nevada be stronger and feel better about Wilderness, who also attended the herself.” campout. “But to be guardians, first “We want Zoe to grow up in they have to love what is there. And nature,” Ting said. “To see it, touch it, how to you learn to love something? breathe the fresh air, and appreciate By playing, by immersing yourself what she sees. Maybe she’ll take in it, and by having fun. They had so some of that back and share the much fun.” experience with her playmates—let Marge, who worked to designate other kids know that there are other Arc Dome and other Forest Service things in this world besides toys and Shoki, Lina and Tanner get ready to play in the creek. Photo by Brian Beffort wilderness areas in 1989, enjoyed television.” www.nevadawilderness.org 5

Mother of Nevada Wilderness Marge Sill walks with Tanner Jensen, grandson of Friends’ board member, Karen Boeger. Photo by Brian Beffort

Shoki soaks in the sun. Photo by Brian Beffort

Angelina works on her log-crossing skills. Photo by Laura Brigham Want to learn more about camping with kids? • gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/foghorn/camp_kids.htm • www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Tips/Kids.htm • www.lnt.org/programs/lnt7/index.html Scrambled eggs and bacon over • Sharing Nature with Children, by Joseph Cornell an open fire. Yum. Photo by Brian Beffort

Logan learns another valuable backcountry skill, splashing! Photo by Brian Beffort

Shoki, Lina and Tanner get ready to play in the creek. Photo by Brian Beffort 6 www.nevadawilderness.org

TAKE A HIKE IN FISH LAKE VALLEY Getting there Fish Lake Valley straddles the California line, about an hour southwest of Tonopah, just east of the White Mountains. To access Trail Canyon and the Wilderness, take the Exploring the dirt road heading colorful geology of the Silver Peak west from route 264 Wilderness Study toward Chiatovich Area. Photo by Creek (watch out for Brian Beffort the subdivision being built there) and follow the signs to Trail Canyon. To access Icehouse Canyon, follow the unnamed dirt road south from the Crossing. Just north of Dyer Ranch, turn It’s a geologic wonderland east-northeast onto a fainter dirt road that By Brian Beffort A well-maintained dirt road Silver Peak Range WSA skirts the northwest climbs southeast from the Size: 33,900 acres alluvium of the Silver ish Lake Valley in Esmeralda Crossing over Coyote Pass to Bureau of Land Management, Peak Range. Look for County offers wild beauty, the town of Silver Peak, offering Tonopah, (775) 482-7800 an unsigned route that Fsolitude and adventure. a windshield tour of what the climbs to the mouth To the west, straddling the region has to offer. Although the of Icehouse Canyon, California-Nevada line, the White WSA does not extend north of Size: 10,000 acres where you should Mountains rise 9,300 feet above the Coyote Pass Road, the colors , see signs marking the the valley—their northern-most and hills stretching north to Lone Pine, Calif., (760) 876-6231 boundary of the WSA point capped by 13,140-foot Emigrant Peak are wild, beautiful (call us if there are no Boundary Peak, Nevada’s highest and deserving of protection. Give back to Boundary Peak. signs; we’ll get some point. Stout hikers can climb Perhaps one day it will become Join Friends, Friends of the volunteers out there to the peak via Trail Canyon in the the Cherry Garcia Wilderness—an Inyo, and the Forest Service to replace them). Boundary Peak Wilderness. apt description of the geologic restore the Trail Canyon trail in All dirt roads in For sere desert beauty, head wonderland awaiting visitors. the Boundary Peak Wilderness. the region are well east into the strawberry-fudge- Make your basecamp at Fish September 28-30. Includes and graded and passable ripple geology of the Silver Peak Lake Valley Hot Springs, about optional hike Sunday. to all cars with at least Range. Capped by 9,450-foot 10 miles south of the junction moderate clearance. Piper Peak, the range is home to of Highway 6 and State Route The Silver Peak Range needs All water, food, gas and the Silver Peak Range Wilderness 773, and about 10 miles east your eyes. You can help keep other services are in Study Area. Rocks here date of State Route 264 in northern track of off-road vehicles trespass Mina, Tonopah, Silver between 4 million and 500 million Fish Lake Valley, just south into the WSA, simply by taking a Peak and Dyer. years old. The palette of geologic of the Crossing. This pool, hike and some pictures (a GPS color found in this range— resulting from an exploratory helps, too). Your observations spectacular bands and splotches geothermal well in 1970, has been help protect your public lands. of red, white, brown, black, buff, improved to include a restroom, And it’s fun! Plus, we get to tan and green—are a treat for picnic benches and room for leverage your volunteer time for the eyes and tell of the region’s undeveloped camping. The water future funding, and you may get to tumultuous volcanic past. is deliciously warm, the view of deduct your miles from your taxes. Icehouse Canyon cuts into the White Mountains and Silver the WSA from the northwest, Peak is sweeping, and you might For more information on following a wash past multi- find the company of numerous these projects, or wilderness colored canyon walls, punctuated bird species—including warblers, stewardship in general, call Pat or with cottonwood and willow. killdeer and white-faced ibis. Angie at (775) 324-7667. www.nevadawilderness.org 7

Volunteer STEWARDSHIP 2007 continued from page 1 are committed to protecting We’re off to a great start and preserving wilderness By Pat Bruce and all the precious resources The Friends of Nevada that these special areas hold, Wilderness restoration team knowing that we are able (Pat, Angie and Skye the dog) to help preserve valuable got the field season off to a and irreplaceable resources great start this year, working with dedicated volunteers and pass them on for future and agency partners on four generations to appreciate and projects in southern Nevada. enjoy. On February 20, Friends volunteers worked with the It makes me proud to live in Forest Service and the Great Nevada, and to work for Friends Basin Institute to eliminate of Nevada Wilderness. To all two areas of illegal trespass the great people who support through archaeological sites near Mountain Springs us, thank you all. in the Rainbow Mountain Don’t let the thought of hard Wilderness. Proud of a good day’s work in the Black Canyon Wilderness. work scare you away from On February 23 and 24, teamed up with the National Wilderness. The finished volunteering. Join us on a Friends joined the Ely BLM Park Service to try to stop product will help protect staff in the Mormon Mountains the constant onslaught of the rich environmental and restoration trip and help how Wilderness. On hills that had ATV and motorcycle trespass cultural resources there. you can. We’re more interested been severely damaged by into the sensitive washes and Special thanks go to Bill in helping people experience off-road vehicles, we built canyons of the Black Canyon James for his friendship and check-dams and covered the Wild Nevada than working you Wilderness. all his hard work, and to Wally ground with slash to slow On March 10, the Friends and Lee for opening Mudd too hard. See scheduled trips on erosion, allowing the area to crew joined Las Vegas BLM Ranch to us and making our page 8. heal naturally. staff to stem off-road vehicle trip to Southern Nevada truly On March 3, Friends trespass into the Arrow Canyon memorable.

I want to keep Nevada wild by joining Friends of Nevada Wilderness! I would like to learn Yes!Yes! more about: Name: ______Volunteering Address:______A presentation at my company or club City: ______State: ______ZIP: ______Leaving a legacy Phone (day): ______Email: ______with a bequest _____ $25 Supporter _____ $50 Friend _____ $100 Superfriend _____ $500 Benefactor _____ Other _____ Monthly, charge my credit card Payment by: ______check ______charge (Visa & Mastercard only) Thank Card No.: ______Exp. Date: ______you! Signature: ______BECOME A MEMBER Make checks and mail to: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, PO Box 9754, Reno, NV 89507 8 www.nevadawilderness.org

2007 volunteer trips ... Mark your calendar! Friends of Nevada Wilderness is the only above the aspen. Potluck dinner that night; September 28-30, National Public Lands organization with a state-wide stewardship hike the next day. Day, Boundary Peak Wilderness (4 program, and we’re proud to team up hours south of Reno). Friends teams with with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation July 14-15, Timber Creek in High Schells Friends of the Inyo and the Forest Service (RMEF) to restore wildlife habitat in eastern Wilderness (East of Ely). Friends and to restore trails and bag Nevada’s highest Nevada this year. Join us in Wild Nevada! RMEF work together for elk habitat. peak. June 14-15, Goshute Canyon Wilderness Weekly beginning June 19, Mt. Rose September 29th-30th, National Public (north of Ely). Help Friends clean up this Wilderness. Weekly trips to inventory Lands Day, High Rock Canyon (4 hours newly designated Wilderness. invasive weeds, campsite and recreational north of Reno). Friends and the BLM team use impacts. July 28-29, up to clean up High Rock Canyon. June 9-10, Mt. Grafton Wilderness (south (southeast of Austin). Friends and the Great of Ely, NV). Friends and RMEF join forces Basin Trails Alliance work to restore trails. NOTE: Trips will be added throughout to enhance elk habitat. the season! Please check the Friends August 11-12, Calico Wilderness (3 hours website at http://www.nevadawilderness. June 9-10, South Fork Berry Creek in north of Reno). Wilderness restoration and org or our blogspot at http://nevadawild. (East of Ely). the Perseids meteor shower! blogspot.com for updates! Friends and RMEF restore elk habitat. August 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, Quinn Canyon To sign up for a trip, contact Friends of June 23-24, Mt. Grafton Wilderness Wilderness (2 hours southwest of Ely). Nevada Wilderness at (775) 324-7667 or (south of Ely, NV). Friends and RMEF Help inventory the wilderness for invasive [email protected] working on more elk habitat restoration. weeds, campsites and recreational use All trips are free. Get to know Nevada’s July 7-8, North Black Rock Range (4 impacts. wild beauty and other great people who

hours north of Reno). Habitat restoration care about the land. Come join us!

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