Friends of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument

Friends of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument An ecologically diverse and culturally important landscape at the southern tip of Nevada.

06/19/2026

It's Plant Friend Friday! This week's plant is a special guest. Lupine can be found in many meadows, washes and along roadsides throughout the monument area in spring, but only in particularly wet years. It's a great example of how seeds can lie dormant for long periods of time, waiting for the right conditions to grow, flower, and put on a show. Lupine's glorious purple/blue hues are worth the wait and cause to celebrate.

We have had some questions about our upcoming astronomy event. No, you don't have to camp. You can come for the evening ...
06/18/2026

We have had some questions about our upcoming astronomy event. No, you don't have to camp. You can come for the evening astronomy event without camping. There are flush toilets, but camping is outside using your own equipment. For more information and to register, see https://www.friendsofavikwaame.org/events/202608-astronomy-campout .

More info:
Join us on Saturday, August 8th (through the morning of Sunday, August 9th) for a special astronomy campout with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society. Join us for an unforgettable Astronomy Campout under the stars! The evening begins at 6 p.m. as the ranch opens and guests receive a schedule and FAQ handout before gathering for a community potluck dinner at 6:30. At 8 p.m., enjoy a special evening program featuring topics like constellation tours with laser pointers, celestial objects visible that night, dark sky conservation, and connections between the desert night sky, plants, and wildlife. Around 9 p.m., participants can explore the night sky through telescopes, relax around the campfire, enjoy s’mores and music, or simply camp and observe at their own pace.

06/18/2026

Known as the “It Girl” of the Silent Film Era, Clara Bow was one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars of the 1920s. Seeking a quieter life away from the spotlight, she and her husband, Rex Bell, owned the historic Walking Box Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where they found refuge from the demands of fame.

06/17/2026

Thanks to artist Amanda Raby for the reminder that plants and animals (including us) depend on darkness for health. Together we can make small changes that keep the night sky dark -- not just for its beauty and to retain our cultural connections to the stars, but to protect migrating birds, pollinating insects, aspirating plants and foraging animals.

Find out more about our dark sky project and sign the petition here:

https://www.friendsofavikwaame.org/dark-sky-park

06/12/2026

It's Plant Friend Friday! This week's plant friend has a comeback story. Plant poaching of barrel cactus was rampant in the 1950s through the 70s, and most of our area's specimens were taken from their rocky outcroppings to sell as ornamentals for people's gardens. Thankfully, laws protecting them were enacted, this practice has been discouraged, and for the past 50 years or so, they've been slowly but steadily repopulating the area with their wonderful sculptural forms.

06/11/2026

Before becoming a Nevada rancher, Rex Bell was a popular Hollywood movie star who appeared in dozens of Western films during the 1920s and 1930s. He later owned the historic Walking Box Ranch, a desert retreat where he and his wife, actress Clara Bow built a life away from the spotlight.

06/10/2026

Artist Amanda Raby reminds us that we all have a responsibility to leave no trace as we explore this special desert landscape. Extra points if you manage to grab a wayward piece of litter left behind by someone else. 🙌

06/07/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Congresswoman Dina Titus for joining us at our Avi Kwa Ame National Monument anniversary celebration. We were honored to have her with us as we reflected on the cultural, historical, and natural significance of this extraordinary landscape and celebrated the many people who helped protect it for future generations. Thank you for your continued support of Nevada’s public lands and communities.



06/07/2026

On April 25, 2026, we gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. The event honored the cultural, historical, and natural significance of this remarkable landscape through exhibits, activities, and shared stories, highlighting the collective effort that helped protect Avi Kwa Ame for future generations. See https://www.friendsofavikwaame.org/ to learn more.

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Searchlight, NV
89046

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