Winners! 2010 Golden Pinecone Award Friends of Wilderness Autumn 2010 The Sheldon: Giving a New Wilderness Treasure the Care it Deserves for the Pine Forest Range?

fter nearly a year of working in partnership with Trout AUnlimited, the Humboldt County Commissioners, and a diverse group of local stakeholders, we have reached a consensus wilderness boundary for the two BLM wilderness study areas in the Pine Forest Range. Blue Lakes and Alder Creek wilderness study areas have been merged into one proposed wilderness of about 28,000 acres. Friends of Friends’ volunteers Joan and Jackie give pronghorn room to roam. Brian Beffort Nevada Wilderness was a key player in he Sheldon National Wild- region faces many challenges. this process through many meetings, life Refuge, in northwestern Although cattle grazing was re- field tours, field work, research and Nevada, and its sister, Hart moved from the Sheldon in the early coordination. We hope Congress T will designate the Pine Forest Range Mountain, 20 miles farther north in 1990s, at least 150 miles of fence Wilderness as official wilderness soon Oregon, lie at the heart of an ecologi- remain on the Sheldon, ensnaring with broad, bipartisan local support. cal hot spot. pronghorn and killing many sage High alpine meadows, pockets of This region is one of the last grouse in collisions. Also, horses mahogany and aspen with dancing intact pieces of sagebrush-steppe remain on the Sheldon, destroying creeks, granite spires, great fishing and ecosystem, home to hundreds of many of the essential springs and healthy populations of wildlife make the plant and animal species. These streams here. Pine Forest Range a true gem. Located refuges have a chance to remain The good news: You have the in northwest Nevada south of Denio, resilient in the face of climate power to help the Sheldon-Hart it is part of a vast connection of critical change, giving hope to species like area thrive. Thanks partly to sup- wildlife corridors stretching from sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, port from the Wildlife Conserva- Oregon down through Sheldon National pygmy rabbit and many others. tion Society, Friends is gearing up Wildlife Refuge and into the Black Rock Unfortunately, the Sheldon-Hart to work with the (Cont. on pg.6) National Conservation Area. 2 www.nevadawilderness.org

OUR MISSION FROM THE FRONTLINES Friends of Nevada Wilderness is dedicated was recently reading Anthony call Sheldon home by improving their to preserving all qualified Barnosky’s great book Heatstroke on habitat substantially to help them survive Nevada public lands as Iglobal climate change while re-reading the coming years. Our headline story shows wilderness, protecting Lord of the Rings. There’s a wonderful quote what you can do in the time given to us. all present and potential where Frodo laments the ring coming to Blue Lakes and Alder Creek WSAs are wilderness from ongoing him, wishing it hadn’t happened, as we closer to becoming the Pine Forest Range threats, educating the public wish global climate change Wilderness thanks to the about the values of and hadn’t been on our watch. hard work of a diverse group need for wilderness, and improving the management Gandalf the wizard replies to of stakeholders lead by Jim and restoration of wildlands. Frodo “So do all who live to see Jeffress from Trout Unlimited such times. But that is not for working through the Humboldt PO Box 9754 them to decide. All we have to County Commissioners. What a Reno, NV 89507 decide is what to do with the great example of folks working (775) 324-7667 time that is given to us.” together. Read more about this Shaaron Netherton So what can we do with unique effort. Executive Director the time given to us to make a When I look at what has [email protected] difference? Research is showing been accomplished in our Brian Beffort that the Sheldon/Hart Wildlife wildlands this year alone I Associate Director Refuges and surrounding Shaaron wrestles with am overwhelmed with what [email protected] lands can possibly serve as barbwire at the 2010 our members have achieved Pat Bruce refugia for species in times of Sheldon Rendezvous. through their time and dollar Field Project Coordinator Photo by Graham Stafford [email protected] increasing temperatures. On donations. (read about the Wes Hoskins Sheldon alone there are still 150 miles of details on pages 4 and 5). Forest Project Coordinator dangerous to wildlife barbwire and up to Thank you for making 2010 a wild year. [email protected] 160 damaged springs that need fencing For the wild, Kurt Kuznicki and/or restoration. Our focus in the next Southern Nevada Director two years will be making a difference on- [email protected] the-ground to the plants and animals that Rose Demoret Administrative Director [email protected] STIMULUS BRINGS JOBS TO NEVADA Richard Knox Membership Coordinator n partnership [email protected] with the Forest Darcy Shepard Service and funded Stewardship Technician I by the American [email protected] Reinvestment and Board of Directors Recovery Act, Friends Roger Scholl, created three summer State Chair jobs to monitor and protect wilderness. Hermi Hiatt Southern Vice-Chair Renee, John and Katie cataloged Karen Boeger, informal campsites, inventoried and Rural Vice-Chair removed invasive weeds, assisted Larry Dwyer, Treasurer wilderness visitors and helped improve Meghan Wolf, trails and participated in 19 volunteer Secretary projects on Nevada’s Humboldt- Peter Bradley Toiyabe National Forest. In all, their John Hiatt activities led them more than 1,000 Marge Sill Bart Patterson miles through seven wilderness areas Kathy Ujifusa and three Forest Service wilderness [email protected] study areas across the state. Thanks to www.nevadawilderness.org their hard work, the Forest Service has nevadawild.blogspot.com a better understanding of the uses and

[email protected] challenges waiting on the Humboldt- Hoskins Wes Join us on Facebook! Toiyabe Forest. Renee, hard at work in her office on Mt. Rose. www.nevadawilderness.org 3 P e o p l e w h o c a r e Wilderness Rangers Thank you By Kurt Kuznicki, Southern Nevada Director advice to novice Rangers! hikers, passed out The following people gave extra water to the ill- their time and energy as vol- prepared, and once unteer rangers in the Spring carried a woman with a sore knee Mountains National Recre- over a mile to the ation Area, made a difference trailhead. for everyone—helping visitors What was the enjoy their experience, while most-asked question minimizing impacts to the the rangers got this land. Thanks, everyone! season? “How much farther to the top?” You Rock! Along with Andy Sanchez helping forest Jose Witt Kurt Kuznicki visitors, the Rangers Chris Jayne Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Andy Sanchez consults performed routine with a bristlecone in the Mount Charleston Wilderness. trail maintenance, Jocelyn Maldonado s the leaves turn yellow repaired signs, Josie Gatti and fall begins to settle into gathered data about damage to Greg Gudenkauf Athe Spring Mountains, the natural resources and provided John Bialecki Volunteer Wilderness Rangers are real-time information on trail Kathy Ujifusa wrapping up for the season. conditions to the Forest Service. The Volunteer Rangers have a Ask if they’ll come back next You, too, can become one of the lot to be proud of this year. They season, and you can see the answer few, the proud, the Volunteer have chatted with hikers about in the sparkle in their eyes and the Wilderness Rangers. Contact Kurt Leave No Trace, helped wilderness smile on their faces: they wouldn’t at [email protected]. visitors find their way, given miss it for the world. Friends Wins the Golden Pinecone Help the Desert Refuge

he Desert is the largest Twildlife refuge outside of Alaska. It sits on the edge of north Las Vegas and many people have no idea it is there, providing a Brian Beffort home to desert bighorn sheep and other critters. Bird lovers know Nevada EcoNet awarded a “Golden about great birdwatching at Corn Pinecone” award to Friends this year Creek (refuge headquarters). for our work on behalf of Nevada’s Sharon Schafer wild places. We’re honored, but we know the real prize goes to Give Back to the Desert Refuge. Help build a birdwatching trail. volunteers like Catherine and Peggy (above) and everyone else who Oct. 30 & Nov. 6 at Corn Creek. Call Kurt for info, (702) 839-5569. makes it possible. Thank you!! 4 www.nevadawilderness.org

F r i e n d s in the Field

Sheldon Rendezvous n June, more than 70 volunteers came from across the country and all walks of life to support the Ibeauty and wildlife of the Sheldon Refuge. Together we pulled nearly 5 miles of obsolete barbed-wire fence, a legacy from before cattle graz- ing was eliminated from the Sheldon in 1990s. At the same time, we built exclosures around springs that have been damaged by horses. At the end of the day, Nevada Muleys whipped up an impressive barbecue, and Pat Bruce’s Dutch-oven cakes were a delicious capper. Everyone was tired but well-fed after a re- warding day of work. Friends is determined to make Graham Stafford the Sheldon a place where deer, antelope and other Above: Max holds the post, while Brad from Nevada wildlife can roam. Muleys install an esclosure post. Below: Proud volunteers after a good day of hard work in Alta Toquima. Toquima Trails he Pasco Canyon and Pine Creek trails in the Alta Toquima Wilderness might be two of the Tmore beautiful and best-maintained trails in Nevada these days, thanks to solid work this season by dedicated volunteers. On several trips this year and last, hard-working folks have cut back over- growth, cleared out downed trees after storms, and rerouted sections of the trail away from mucky and environmentally sensitive spots. Now, when hunters and hikers head out to this lonely-but-lovely jewel in central Nevada, they’ll have

a better experience because of these folks’ hard work. John Fiske Springing Into Action or years, Friends volunteers have helped the BLM and Forest Service restore areas from Fvehicle trespass, invasive weeds and other impacts. Now, we’re working on projects that will challenge brains and muscles. Friends will be helping the BLM monitor the health of springs in the Black Rock Desert region over the next couple years. Here, volunteers straddled cold air and hot water to mea- sure the health of hot springs at Soldier Meadows. This data will help the BLM keep these water sources resilient in the face of climate change. If you’re inter- ested in rewarding work in the field, give us a call. Alison Hardenburgh www.nevadawilderness.org 5

Vo l u n t e e r s at work in 2010

National Public Lands Day ach year in September, Friends volunteers join us to celebrate and give back to our wonderful Epublic lands across Nevada. In the Black Rock Desert, one crew of volunteers fenced the third Coyote Dune to protect water, plants and kit foxes from off-road vehicles, while another crew cleaned up an abandoned mine site. In Gold Butte, 25 volunteers built up sweat equity in triple-digit heat, planting over six dozen native plants along the Falling Man Petroglyph Trail and installing 180 fence posts to direct off-road vehicles Brian Beffort away from sensitive desert habitats. Above: Todd channels his internal workhorse to clean up Friends of Gold Butte lead this event, and they an abandoned mine site in the Black Rock. Below: volun- teers install a cable to guard Gold Butte from vehicle abuse. did an extraordinary job. Although both Friends groups and the BLM were involved in the event, it is the volunteers who deserve the credit for making this day such a big plus for Nevada’s wildlands. “This day was a success, because so many people gave up their Saturday to come and make a difference in an amaz- ing and delicate place,” said Andy Sanchez, one of our Volunteer Wilderness Rangers from Mt. Charles- ton, who just can’t seem to get enough. These are only a few of the projects awesome volunteers completed this year. Check out our blogs to see more project photos and stories: http://nevadawild.blogspot.com/ http://volunteer4wild.blogspot.com/ Wally Wallace Wally Quantifying Success Farewell Billie The results of our work to help Nevada’s wild places Jean James are best found in clear streams, foraging deer herds, and the smiles of those who experience Wild Nevada 1942-2010 in its glory. But it’s also nice to quantify our results, so here’s the sum of our fieldwork in 2010: Nevada has lost a wonderful and dedicated friend to • Number of projects/trips: 100+ people, animals and wild places. Billie Jean actively • Number of volunteers on the ground: 1,000+ supported numerous causes and volunteered for sev- • In-kind value of all volunteer work: $250,000 eral organizations. You could count on her to light up These numbers help us leverage support for a room with her colorful personality and wardrobe. Billie Jean, we miss you. You brought a beautiful spark future work. Thank you for making it possible!! of life to everything, and everyone, you touched. 6 www.nevadawilderness.org P l a c e s that matter Sage Grouse Sheldon (Cont. from pg.1) Feel the Heat US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), other organizations and volunteers like you to remove at least 40 miles of fence each year over the next two years. We also plan to attach vis- ible reflectors on the Sheldon’s external

Scott Sady boundary fences, to

minimize sage grouse Kurt Kuznicki n January, the Fish and mortality from colli- The sagebrush-steppe plants of the Sheldon provide Wildlife Service determined sions with the fences. critical habitat for hundreds of wildlife species. Ithat the greater sage grouse We also plan to help the FWS restore “warranted” protection under springs and streams on the refuge, A Plan for the Sheldon the Endangered Species Act, so they can provide the best possible The FWS will release a draft of the but a threatened or endangered habitat and forage for wildlife. Sheldon Refuge’s Comprehensive listing was “precluded” because Over the next several years, you’ll Conservation Plan toward the end the agency does not have the be hearing more about opportunities of this year. In July, preliminary resources to adequately address to help heal the Sheldon-Hart region. alternatives on how the refuge and the issue. Please support Friends’ efforts during its resources should be managed Friends considers this this campaign by joining us on the (including wilderness) was sent out decision a wake up call to help ground or donating from home. We to the public. Please visit our web- the sage grouse recover as may not be able to save the whole site for more information on how much as possible before the FWS world, but working together, we can you can make a difference, addresses the issue again. A make a difference in this wild, beauti- or call us at (775) 324-7667. threatened or endangered listing ful and fragile landscape. will not only be a bad sign for this beautiful wildlife species, We Miss You, Walkin’ Jim Stoltz! but it will bring frustrating and expensive constraints on private or 35 years, you walked more than landowners, businesses, and 28,000 miles across the wild empty state and federal agencies Fplaces in this country. You sang about mangy moose, grizzlies and living “Forever working in sage grouse habitat. Wild.” You helped people connect with the And nobody wants that. wonder and beauty you experienced on your Join us in 2011 when we will adventures. On September 3rd, poetically the make habitat restoration for sage anniversary of the , you moved grouse one of our top priorities. on to your next great adventure. We will Projects are coming to Washoe miss you and always appreciate the joy you and Humboldt Counties to help brought to us from wild places. Learn more this beautiful bird thrive. about this wonderful man at walkinjim.com. www.nevadawilderness.org 7

Boots on the Ground Congratulations hen companies like Zappos. John Hiatt! Wcom (the big- On October gest online shoe store), 16, John Hiatt Keen (makers of sandals received a to boots) and REI (sellers Life Time of boots and everything Achievement Award from else for outdoor enthusi- the four asts) step up to support federal land wilderness, it gives a management Brian Beffort whole new meaning to agencies in John Hiatt is making “boots on the ground.” Southern Nevada a better place, REI employees showing their love for Mt. Charleston. one fencepost at a time. On June 16, about 180 Photo by Kurt Kuznicki Nevada. John Zappos and Keen volun- has given more than three teers partnered with Friends to clean up trails and give the Mt. decades of volunteer service to Charleston campground’s tables, toilets and signs a much needed wild public lands. He was a key face-lift. REI employees joined us on October 3rd to restore an player in creating the Red Rock illegal vehicle scar leading toward the wilderness and improve the NCA and in getting wilderness areas designated throughout trail before being chased out of the wilds by a quick-moving thun- southern Nevada. He has also derstorm. Talk about putting a good foot forward! given thousands of hours of hard work on the ground. We are proud to have him as a longtime board member of Friends of Nevada Thank you, Catherine Smith Wilderness. Thank you, John! lthough Catherine Smith passed in 2009, Leave a Legacy Ashe continues to make a difference to wild places across of Wilderness Nevada, because she named Friends of Nevada Wilderness et your love for nature as a beneficiary to her estate. continue your good work Catherine loved the out- Lafter you pass. You can name Friends of doors, was a life-long believer Nevada Wilderness as a beneficiary in the “web of life” and worked to all or part of the following assets: tirelessly for the land. Many of • 401k or retirement plan us had the opportunity to join • Life insurance her on the trail. • Stocks and bonds Shortly before her death, she • Real estate attended Friends’ first Sheldon Friends places all bequests Rendezvous. in our “Forever Wild” fund to Catherine’s generous gift maximize long-term benefits to makes it possible for Friends to wild places. care for Nevada’s wild heritage Speak with your advisor, or Walter Smith Walter call Friends’ Executive Director in her name. Thank you. Catherine with her grandson Maxwell Shaaron Netherton at (775) 324-7667. 8 www.nevadawilderness.org Wild Nevada 2011 Calendar Save the Dates! StorySongs: Wild Winter From the Soul Wingding of the Earth December 10, 6pm to 10pm Sale!! November 12, 6:30pm Grand Sierra Resort 2011 Wild Nevada At Patagonia Bldg., Reno (Tahoe Room) Calendar! An extraordinary live event blending the photographs Help Friends celebrate the Buy them at your favorite store, or order 3 calendars from us by of Mark Vollmer with the year’s successes and thank November 15, and get the outrageous music of Jim Eaglesmith. our fantastic volunteers. price of 3 for $25 (Shipping included) A benefit for Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Good Food! Don’t miss out! Silent Auction and Raffle! Send an email to Adults $15/Seniors $10/ Kids$5 Live Music! [email protected] Order your tickets today Open to Everyone! to sign up for our invitations and

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