The Great Basin Institute partners with various local non-profits to provide educational outreach seminars and volunteer events. Below is a listing of these opportunities.

Galena Creek in the Fall, by Kevin Karl

Find Out What is Happening at Galena Creek!

Click on the link below to access our live events calendar which lists our hikes, workshops, astronomy programs, and other events at Galena Creek Regional Park and at the GBI classroom located along the Mt. Rose Highway.

Galena Creek Nature Programs Calendar

Click here for a pdf of current programs nature programs now being offered in the Galena Creek Area

How to participate in an event

We strongly encourage you to call and RSVP for our events and programs. The number to call is 775.674.5486. By RSVPing, you help us plan for staffing, volunteers, supplies and equipment. A majority of our programs are free and open to all ages, but please check the events calendar above for age limitations.  All children must be accompanied by an adult at all programs. We welcome any and all donations to support our efforts, and most programs do have a suggested donation, but this is not required to participate. Other programs, such as our basketry workshops, are fee-based, and registration is required. To register for workshops, call 775.674.5486.

Cancellation Policy

Many programs are weather dependent. Generally speaking, if the Mt. Rose Highway has hazardous conditions and requires chains in the Galena Area, we will cancel the program, as we depend on Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Spaces to keep the park roads and parking lots plowed. Please do call 775.674.5486 to check on the status of an event. If you have RSVPed, you will receive a phone call from one of our staff that the program has been canceled. In the case of the Star Party! and Dark Moon Astronomy programs clear skies are critical. In the case of cloudy skies or inclement weather, please call 775.674.5486 to check on the status of these programs. A cancellation message will be posted on the answering machine by 4 pm on the day of the astronomy programs.

Types of Programs Offered

The staff here at GBI is excited to offer guided hikes, astronomy, hands-on workshops, a variety of nature programs for families and children, as well as our Great Basin Naturalists summer day camp for children ages 8-12. For more general information about the hikes, astronomy, hands-on workshops, and family nature programs go to Galena Nature Programs. To look up a specific event, look on our Galena Creek Nature Programs Calendar. To find out more about the summer day camp go to Great Basin Naturalists Day Camp.

Collaborative Partnership

Great Basin Institute has recently entered into a collaborative agreement with Washoe County and Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space (WCRPOS) to operate the Galena Creek Recreation Area Visitor Center (GCRAVC) and all associated interpretive programming. The GCRAVC itself is the result of a cooperative project between the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region and the WCRPOS . These interagency partnerships benefit not only the agencies but also the surrounding communities by leveraging limited staff and financial resources.