BLM Visitor Contact Trailer

The Friends of Black Rock High Rock (FBRHR) work in partnership with the BLM to staff and manage the Visitor Contact Trailer situated just north of Gerlach on Rte. 447 before the Rte 34 split.

The trailer is stocked with many free materials such as maps and informative brochures, and is staffed by a wide range of associated partner groups, each with a unique perspective of the region.

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There are also high quality BLM maps for sale, as well as FBRHR T-shirts, water bottles, and other neat merchandise. Proceeds go to support our expanding efforts to help preserve and enhance the NCA through education, volunteer projects, and interpretive media.

VCT REPORT (Prepared March 2007)
In 2006, the Friends of Black Rock High Rock (FBRHR) managed the BLM visitor contact trailer under an existing cooperative management agreements for the first time, although members had volunteered at the facility in the past. All told, 18 trained volunteers worked nearly 400 hours at a value of $9,130.00 of contact activities. The facility was open on 13 weekends for 33 separate days of contact. An evaporative cooler was installed, as well as attractive interpretive displays which educate visitors about the history of the region, from indigenous peoples to emigrants to ranching communities. Visitor data were collected to begin to model the unique blend of visitors that come out to the Black Rock Desert. Several hundred maps of the region were distributed, which show the designated roads for vehicle traffic, areas closed for wilderness, and points of interest. Leave No Trace literature and other information was also distributed, specifically targeted to the type of use in which the visitor is engaged. Three different area guides were available which give even more history, background, and detailed travel information for the serious explorer. Perhaps most importantly, a friendly, knowledgeable human being was there to converse with visitors and answer their questions. All of these activities combine to provide a vital service for the preservation and responsible use of public lands.

This year our goal is to increase the number of days of operation to 50 days over a span of 20 weeks, and to engage the participation of 25 volunteers. These volunteers are usually avid desert mavens, and are generally involved with one or more regionally recognized groups, such as Oregon California Trails Association, Nevada Outdoor School, High Rock Trekkers, Reno Gem and Mineral Society, Sierra Club, or the Earth Guardian/Leave No Trace department of Burning Man. We continue to engage more stakeholders and to build partnerships with other groups in order to better reflect the values and interests of the region. Since the facility is on wheels, we also plan to transport the visitor contact trailer to events in the communities of Reno, NV, Tahoe/Truckee, CA, and Lovelock, NV. This will expand our outreach to a wider recreation and explorer community and promote conservation ethics and safe practices. We will continue to provide training to volunteers to ensure that they have a correct and thorough knowledge of the region to impart to the visiting public, and our staff has been thoroughly trained in BLM procedures and requirements related to the management of volunteers. We will expand the reference resources available in the facility by adding a portal to the world wide web, and we will also offer travel guides, T-shirts, and other relevant merchandise for sale. Proceeds from the sale of goods will be reinvested to support our administrative costs. As we continue to operate the facility over consecutive years, the compiled data collected and experience gained will allow us to more efficiently and effectively provide visitor outreach and services.