Conservation Camps

The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF), in conjunction with the Nevada Department of Corrections, operates nine conservation camps throughout the state. The Conservation Camp Program provides training programs to inmates, wildland fire suppression crews, and a skilled labor force for a variety of conservation and community assistance projects. Each conservation camp typically fields eight 10 man crews providing a variety of projects and services.

The Conservation Camp Program began in 1958 with inmates from the Nevada State Prison to perform conservation related activities, including fire suppression. Two camps were established in 1959, one located northwest of Reno on Peavine Mountain and the other on Spooner Summit at Lake Tahoe. The Peavine Camp was closed in 1968 due to the encroachment of neighborhoods. The Spooner Conservation Camp closed in 1970. From 1970 to 1978, the Division did not have a Conservation Camp Program, but continued to use three inmate crews from the Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC) for conservation work assignments. In 1978, the Stewart Conservation Camp was established just outside the walls of NNCC due to Legislative mandates and the overcrowding of all prison facilities. The Pioche Camp was constructed in 1979. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s eight additional camps were added (Three Lakes Valley, Jean, Wells, Ely, Humboldt, Carlin, Tonopah and Silver Springs).

Objectives

Increase the proficiency and cost effectiveness of the program by increasing services to the general public and resource agencies in the areas of fuel management, insect and disease control, range improvements, state park maintenance, wildlife improvements, state land enhancement and other conservation-related work projects.
Provide wildland fire suppression services with well-trained and equipped Conservation Camp fire crews, which support county, state and Federal wildland fire agencies.
Provide the necessary training and equipment to Conservation Camp Crews and their supervisors to enable them to accomplish their work-related missions and perform their jobs in a safe and efficient manner.

Conservation Camp Services

NDF operates nine camps within three geographical regions. Each camp typically fields six to ten staff with crews capable of responding to, or facilitating, a large number of projects and tasks.

Fire and Emergency Response
- Suppression and Mobile Kitchen Units, Three MKUs (One in each region)
Fire Rehabilitation
- Seeding, Planting, Fence Mending, Suppression Repair, etc.
Fuel Reduction and Fire Intensity Mitigation
Forest Health Work
Watershed and Riparian Zone Restoration
Seed Collection
Trail Maintenance and Construction
Tree Climbing and Hazard Tree Mitigation
- Available through Eastern Sierra Conservation Camp
Logging/Cable Yarder
- Available through Eastern Sierra Conservation Camp
Satellite Nursery
- Available at the Humboldt Conservation Camp
Noxious Weed Abatement
General labor force for cooperating state departments and divisions
Limited Community Service Task

Conservation Camp Locations

State Office - Program Administration

Camp Program Manager
901 S. Stewart St., Ste. 1001
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-2505

Camp Administrative Officer
901 S. Stewart St., Ste. 1001
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-2531

Camp Training Officer
885 Eastlake Boulevard
Carson City, NV 89704
(775) 849-2500 Ext. 223

Western Region Camps

Eastern Sierra Conservation Camp
1721 Snyder Ave.
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 687-4083

Humboldt Conservation Camp
8105 Conservation Road
Winnemucca, NV 89446
(775) 623-6535

Tonopah Conservation Camp
State Route 376, P.O. Box 1788
Tonopah, NV 89049
(775) 482-3250

Northern Region Camps

Carlin Conservation Camp
P.O. Box 550
Carlin, NV 89822
(775) 754-6392

Wells Conservation Camp
HC 67, P.O. Box 55
Wells, NV 89835
(775) 478-5129

Ely Conservation Camp
HC 33, P.O. Box 33446
Ely, NV 89301
(775) 289-1627

Southern Region Camps

Three Lakes Valley Conservation Camp
4747 West Vegas Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89108
(702) 879-1309

Jean Conservation Camp
4747 West Vegas Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89108
(702) 486-3439

Pioche Conservation Camp
P.O. Box 600
Pioche, NV 89043
(775) 962-5179