Welcome Home

Fly Ranch is a 5.6 square mile ranch in Nevada, home to hundreds of plants and animals and the Fly Geyser hot springs.

The ranch is a permanent Burning Man rural center, living laboratory for regenerative stewardship and event production, and a model for Burning Man’s 2030 Sustainability Roadmap. Programs and projects are community led and volunteer driven.

People come year round to gather, create, explore, and innovate. It is an oasis of art and ecology that inspires awe and wonder.

Please read our survival guide before you visit.

Fly Ranch is a 5.6 square mile ranch in Nevada, home to hundreds of plants and animals and the Fly Geyser hot springs.

The ranch is a year-round Burning Man rural center, a living laboratory for regenerative stewardship and event production, and a model for Burning Man’s 2030 Sustainability Roadmap. Programs and projects are community-led and volunteer-driven.

People come here to gather, create, explore, and innovate. It is an oasis of art and ecology that inspires awe and wonder.

Please read our survival guide before you visit.

The Fly Ranch Project

Fly Ranch is made by those who show up to create it. This includes the 600 people who supported the 20-year acquisition process, hundred of project leads and over 2,000 Fly Ranch Stewards.

Fly Ranch is made by those who show up to create it. This includes the 600 people who supported the 20-year acquisition process, hundreds of project leads and over 2,000 volunteer Fly Ranch Stewards.

Fly Ranch is made by those who show up to create it. This includes the 600 people who supported the 20-year acquisition process, hundred of project leads and over 2,000 volunteers.

Learn more about the vision.

About the Land

When we began in 2017, we studied and observed the land for 18 months. Thousands of people have participated in restorations to excavate landfills and oil spills,, and restore the soil, waterways, and ecology.

Fly Ranch is on the occupied Numu (Northern Paiute) lands of at least four distinct Numu tribes. We can do more to support Indigenous peoples, address settler colonialism in our culture, and support direct action.

When we began to steward the land in 2017, we carefully studied and observed the existing life and ecosystems for 18 months.

TKTK

Fly Ranch is on occupied Numu (Northern Paiute) land of at least four distinct Numu tribes. We strive to support Indigenous peoples, address settler colonialism in our culture, and support direct action.

Team Focus

Our team's priorities are to care for the land and help people get involved. We focus on impact,transparency, cost-effectiveness,, open-source collaboration and public benefit. Learn about the vision.

We Are Guests

Fly Ranch is on occupied Numu (Northern Paiute) land of at least four distinct Numu tribes. We strive to support Indigenous peoples, address settler colonialism in our culture, and support direct action.

Team Focus

Our team's priorities are to care for the land and help people get involved. We focus on impact,transparency, cost-effectiveness,, open-source collaboration and public benefit. Learn about the vision.

We Are Guests

Fly Ranch is on occupied Numu (Northern Paiute) land of at least four distinct Numu tribes. We strive to support Indigenous peoples, address settler colonialism in our culture, and support direct action.

Visit Fly Ranch

Visit Fly Ranch

Since 2016 stewards have walked, worked, and camped at Fly Ranch. We have found uses for relics from the old airport, ranch, and farm. We have cared for the land, started non-native species management, and grazed 150 cows. From April to October Fly Ranch hosts nature walks on Saturdays, Labyrinth walks on Sundays, and Sunday Community Soaks for Fly Ranch Stewards, Burning Man Staff, and locals in Gerlach and Empire.

Since 2016 stewards have walked, worked, and camped at Fly Ranch. We have found uses for relics from the old airport, ranch, and farm. We have cared for the land, started non-native species management, and grazed 150 cows. From April to October Fly Ranch hosts nature walks on Saturdays, Labyrinth walks on Sundays, and Sunday Community Soaks for Fly Ranch Stewards, Burning Man Staff, and locals in Gerlach and Empire.

Join a Nature Walk
Join a Nature Walk

Come take a walk and experience Fly Ranch for yourself.

Walks are hosted every Saturday from April through October

Become a Guardian

Camp on site to help monitor and protect the land.

Camp on site to help monitor and protect the land

Volunteer on a Project

Roll up your sleeves and come volunteer.

Help others experience Fly Ranch.

Roll up your sleeves and come volunteer

Sunday Community Soaks

For Stewards, Gerlach & Empire locals, and Burning Man Staff

Sunday Labyrinth Walks

Fly Ranch Labyrinth walks hosted by Will & Crimson at two PM

Friends & Family Campouts

Open to Fly Ranch Stewards to connect and work on the land

Sunday Community Soaks

For Stewards, Gerlach & Empire locals, and Burning Man Staff

Sunday Labyrinth Walks

Fly Ranch Labyrinth walks hosted by Will & Crimson at two PM

Friends & Family Campouts

Open to Fly Ranch Stewards to connect and work on the land

Virtual Tour

Get a sense of the landcape of Fly Ranch.

Also link: invasive species maps.

Get a sense of the landcape of Fly Ranch

Also link: invasive species maps.

Get a sense of the landcape of Fly Ranch.
Also link: invasive species maps

Take the Tour

Fly Residents

The novel desert ecosystem exists because of the abundant water. The hot springs are home to a metazoan with the highest temperature tolerance of any metazoan and rare photosynthetic microbial mats. The waters are crucial for the eight beehives and the Fly Ranch pyrg (Pyrgulopsis bruesi), an endangered highly vulnerable snail found only in one pool at Fly Ranch.

Fly Ranch Species

Featured Projects

Fly Ranch is a do-ocracy. Anyone can propose, organize, and manage a project. Projects and campouts tend to focus on stewardship, art, healing, transformation, regeneration, education, and building a thriving ecosystem and permanent home for Burning Man. Below are some of the installations, events, and programs at the ranch.

You can view a full portfolio here.

Fly Ranch is a do-ocracy. Anyone can propose, organize, and manage a project. Projects and campouts tend to focus on stewardship, art, healing, transformation, regeneration, education, and building a thriving ecosystem and permanent home for Burning Man. Below are some of the installations, events, and programs at the ranch.

See the full portfolio

Fly Bees

A volunteer project spun off from the Ripple team to care for eight beehives and product organic honey

Baba Yaga's Tea House

An immersive art experience looking out over the stunning landscape of the high desert.

Writer's Emerging

A retreat to connect with the land and participate in creative workshops.

PLPT Tule Harvest

Indigenous harvest of tule reed used to make traditional burial mats.

SEED Garden

Symbiotic Coevolution: A vision for a generative future built by a LAGI Design Challege finalist.

BWB Summit

A flagship annual gathering held at Fly Ranch in partnership with Burners Without Borders.

Burning Man Sustainability

Burning Man
Sustainability

Fly Ranch sparked Burning Man Project's 2030 Environmental Sustainability Roadmap. As its CEO Marian Goodell wrote: “Informed by our stewardship of the land and waters at Fly Ranch and the global climate crisis, we created an environmental sustainability roadmap that sets ambitious goals around waste management, ecological impact, and carbon sequestration.” A documentary from the International Wood Culture Society shows how sustainability projects are coming to life on and off playa.

Land Art Generator Initiative at Fly Ranch

Land Art Generator Initiative at Fly Ranch

Land Art Generator Initiative at Fly Ranch

In 2019 we partnered with the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) and launched a design challenge focused on regenerative systems for food, power, water, shelter, and waste. We made a global invitation to artists, designers, engineers, and dreamers to propose artworks that inspire wonder and provide foundational infrastructue.

In 2019 we partnered with the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) and launched a design challenge focused on regenerative systems for food, power, water, shelter, and waste. We made a global invitation to artists, designers, engineers, and dreamers to propose artworks that inspire wonder and provide foundational infrastructue.

In 2019 we partnered with the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) and launched a design challenge focused on regenerative systems for food, power, water, shelter, and waste. We made a global invitation to artists, designers, engineers, and dreamers to propose artworks that inspire wonder and provide foundational infrastructue.

  • Shortlist Portfolio

    In 2020, 500 people on 185 teams submitted proposals based on the design guidelines. The proposals were reviewed by 200 technical advisors who left 2,000 comments. 50 members of a shortlist committee picked 52 shortlisted projects and 33 jurors selected ten finalists. Each of the shortlisted projects is open for comments. The top ten teams have started prototypes and we hope to build more.

    View Portfolio

  • LAGI Summer Camp

    During the last couple weeks of May, 2022, LAGI teams, jurors, advisors, and supporters gathered for a campout. Teams worked on prototypes, research, and connected to the land. Read this article by the LAGI co-founders.

    Learn More

  • LAGI Fly Ranch Book

    From the Art Newspaper review: 

    “Hopefully, Land Art of the 21st Century will inspire action on the climate and ecological emergencies worldwide. The methodologies and design philosophies employed by real-world regenerative structures can be copied. The real value of these land art installations will be that they embody collective, sustainable and inclusive principles. It is through the creation of new ways of organising our societies that we will discover the wisdom to live together in harmony with our home planet.”

    Learn More

    Order

  • Lodgers Project

    This short film shows the future vision of Lodgers Collective, a top LAGI at Fly Ranch team. The video by Zhicheng Xu showcases a mesmerizing glimpse into the future of the Fly Ranch landscape, brought to life through LiDAR scanned point cloud. The film juxtaposes this futuristic representation with the author’s on-site documentation, capturing the essence of the region’s vibrant ecosystem, birds, rodents, and lush vegetation.

    About Lodgers

  • Ripple Haba Build

    During the 2023 Burners Without Borders Campout, Ripple Project built a traditional Northern Paiute shade structure at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center.

    Ripple Haba Build

  • LAGI at Fly Ranch Call

    This call inlcuded the top ten LAGI teams, jurors, and advisors. Hear from USA Today’s Nevada Woman of the Year Autumn Harry, Community Organizer Beverly Harry, Professor Kyle Whyte, Indigenous Women Hike Founder Jolie Varela, Burning Man Co-Founders Will Roger & Crimson Rose, and Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda.

  • Shortlist Portfolio

    In 2020, 500 people on 185 teams submitted proposals based on the design guidelines. The proposals were reviewed by 200 technical advisors who left 2,000 comments. 50 members of a shortlist committee picked 52 shortlisted projects and 33 jurors selected ten finalists. Each of the shortlisted projects is open for comments. The top ten teams have started prototypes and we hope to build more.

    View Portfolio

  • LAGI Summer Camp

    During the last couple weeks of May, 2022, LAGI teams, jurors, advisors, and supporters gathered for a campout. Teams worked on prototypes, research, and connected to the land. Read this article by the LAGI co-founders.

    Learn More

  • LAGI Fly Ranch Book

    From the Art Newspaper review: 

    “Hopefully, Land Art of the 21st Century will inspire action on the climate and ecological emergencies worldwide. The methodologies and design philosophies employed by real-world regenerative structures can be copied. The real value of these land art installations will be that they embody collective, sustainable and inclusive principles. It is through the creation of new ways of organising our societies that we will discover the wisdom to live together in harmony with our home planet.”

    Learn More

    Order

  • Lodgers Project

    This short film shows the future vision of Lodgers Collective, a top LAGI at Fly Ranch team. The video by Zhicheng Xu showcases a mesmerizing glimpse into the future of the Fly Ranch landscape, brought to life through LiDAR scanned point cloud. The film juxtaposes this futuristic representation with the author’s on-site documentation, capturing the essence of the region’s vibrant ecosystem, birds, rodents, and lush vegetation.

    About Lodgers

  • Ripple Haba Build

    During the 2023 Burners Without Borders Campout, Ripple Project built a traditional Northern Paiute shade structure at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center.

    Ripple Haba Build

  • LAGI at Fly Ranch Call

    This call inlcuded the top ten LAGI teams, jurors, and advisors. Hear from USA Today’s Nevada Woman of the Year Autumn Harry, Community Organizer Beverly Harry, Professor Kyle Whyte, Indigenous Women Hike Founder Jolie Varela, Burning Man Co-Founders Will Roger & Crimson Rose, and Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda.

  • Shortlist Portfolio

    In 2020, 500 people on 185 teams submitted proposals based on the design guidelines. The proposals were reviewed by 200 technical advisors who left 2,000 comments. 50 members of a shortlist committee picked 52 shortlisted projects and 33 jurors selected ten finalists. Each of the shortlisted projects is open for comments. The top ten teams have started prototypes and we hope to build more.

    View Portfolio

  • LAGI Summer Camp

    During the last couple weeks of May, 2022, LAGI teams, jurors, advisors, and supporters gathered for a campout. Teams worked on prototypes, research, and connected to the land. Read this article by the LAGI co-founders.

    Learn More

  • LAGI Fly Ranch Book

    From the Art Newspaper review: 

    “Hopefully, Land Art of the 21st Century will inspire action on the climate and ecological emergencies worldwide. The methodologies and design philosophies employed by real-world regenerative structures can be copied. The real value of these land art installations will be that they embody collective, sustainable and inclusive principles. It is through the creation of new ways of organising our societies that we will discover the wisdom to live together in harmony with our home planet.”

    Learn More

    Order

  • Lodgers Project

    This short film shows the future vision of Lodgers Collective, a top LAGI at Fly Ranch team. The video by Zhicheng Xu showcases a mesmerizing glimpse into the future of the Fly Ranch landscape, brought to life through LiDAR scanned point cloud. The film juxtaposes this futuristic representation with the author’s on-site documentation, capturing the essence of the region’s vibrant ecosystem, birds, rodents, and lush vegetation.

    About Lodgers

  • Ripple Haba Build

    During the 2023 Burners Without Borders Campout, Ripple Project built a traditional Northern Paiute shade structure at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center.

    Ripple Haba Build

  • LAGI at Fly Ranch Call

    This call inlcuded the top ten LAGI teams, jurors, and advisors. Hear from USA Today’s Nevada Woman of the Year Autumn Harry, Community Organizer Beverly Harry, Professor Kyle Whyte, Indigenous Women Hike Founder Jolie Varela, Burning Man Co-Founders Will Roger & Crimson Rose, and Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda.

  • Shortlist Portfolio

    In 2020, 500 people on 185 teams submitted proposals based on the design guidelines. The proposals were reviewed by 200 technical advisors who left 2,000 comments. 50 members of a shortlist committee picked 52 shortlisted projects and 33 jurors selected ten finalists. Each of the shortlisted projects is open for comments. The top ten teams have started prototypes and we hope to build more.

    View Portfolio

  • LAGI Summer Camp

    During the last couple weeks of May, 2022, LAGI teams, jurors, advisors, and supporters gathered for a campout. Teams worked on prototypes, research, and connected to the land. Read this article by the LAGI co-founders.

    Learn More

  • LAGI Fly Ranch Book

    From the Art Newspaper review: 

    “Hopefully, Land Art of the 21st Century will inspire action on the climate and ecological emergencies worldwide. The methodologies and design philosophies employed by real-world regenerative structures can be copied. The real value of these land art installations will be that they embody collective, sustainable and inclusive principles. It is through the creation of new ways of organising our societies that we will discover the wisdom to live together in harmony with our home planet.”

    Learn More

    Order

  • Lodgers Project

    This short film shows the future vision of Lodgers Collective, a top LAGI at Fly Ranch team. The video by Zhicheng Xu showcases a mesmerizing glimpse into the future of the Fly Ranch landscape, brought to life through LiDAR scanned point cloud. The film juxtaposes this futuristic representation with the author’s on-site documentation, capturing the essence of the region’s vibrant ecosystem, birds, rodents, and lush vegetation.

    About Lodgers

  • Ripple Haba Build

    During the 2023 Burners Without Borders Campout, Ripple Project built a traditional Northern Paiute shade structure at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center.

    Ripple Haba Build

  • LAGI at Fly Ranch Call

    This call inlcuded the top ten LAGI teams, jurors, and advisors. Hear from USA Today’s Nevada Woman of the Year Autumn Harry, Community Organizer Beverly Harry, Professor Kyle Whyte, Indigenous Women Hike Founder Jolie Varela, Burning Man Co-Founders Will Roger & Crimson Rose, and Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda.

Fly Ranch Media

Fly Ranch By The Numbers

1000+ Nature Walks

Open Saturday in season

Attended by students in Gerlach and Empire, universities and travelers from around the world, members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and anyone who wants to visit.

3+ Weekly Staff Soaks

From Golden Spike to Resto

Staff soaks are a chance for Black Rock City to recharge, rejuvenate, and connect during the build season for the Burning Man event.

$2.3M in Revenue

Since 2016

Over the past eight years, we've invested $2.7 million in Fly Ranch programs, infrastructure, and ecological restorations. This is an average budget of $337,000 a year. We've generated $2.3M in revenue, a net cost of a few hundred thousand dollars.

103 Campouts

For Friends & Family

Campouts have been times to restore junkyard and landfill areas, install art, study and tend to the land, and connect with other Stewards.

150 Cows Grazing

From November to April

We graze 150 cows at Fly Ranch every year for six months. This allows us to maintain weeds, fertilize the land, and generate revenue.

185 LAGI Proposals

From 496 people worldwide

LAGI at Fly Ranch generated 185 proposals focused on food, water, power, shelter, and waste management. These are all publicly available. Ten of the teams have built prototypes of their projects at Fly Ranch.

12+ Art Projects

Focused on the land

The Narwhal, Pier, Baba Yaga's House, LAGI projects, Paradisium, and other pieces have found their home at Fly Ranch.

143 Plant Species

A lush desert ecosystem

Fly Ranch is home to native wildflowers, wetlands grasses, desert peach, desert onions, and over a hundred types of plants.

136 Types of Birds

A migratory paradise

Bald Eages, Golden Eagles, Blue Herons, Mourning Doves, Red-Tailed Hawks, Sandhill Cranes, owls, ravens, and more

2,000 Stewards

Ou r Fly Ranch members

Fly Stewards lead nature walks, restorations, and serve as Guardians. Our members steward the vision, projects, and land.

1000+ Nature Walks

Open Saturday in season

Attended by students in Gerlach and Empire, universities and travelers from around the world, members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and anyone who wants to visit.

3+ Weekly Staff Soaks

From Golden Spike to Resto

Staff soaks are a chance for Black Rock City to recharge, rejuvenate, and connect during the build season for the Burning Man event.

$2.3M in Revenue

Since 2016

Over the past eight years, we've invested $2.7 million in Fly Ranch programs, infrastructure, and ecological restorations. This is an average budget of $337,000 a year. We've generated $2.3M in revenue, a net cost of a few hundred thousand dollars.

103 Campouts

For Friends & Family

Campouts have been times to restore junkyard and landfill areas, install art, study and tend to the land, and connect with other Stewards.

150 Cows Grazing

From November to April

We graze 150 cows at Fly Ranch every year for six months. This allows us to maintain weeds, fertilize the land, and generate revenue.

185 LAGI Proposals

From 496 people worldwide

LAGI at Fly Ranch generated 185 proposals focused on food, water, power, shelter, and waste management. These are all publicly available. Ten of the teams have built prototypes of their projects at Fly Ranch.

12+ Art Projects

Focused on the land

The Narwhal, Pier, Baba Yaga's House, LAGI projects, Paradisium, and other pieces have found their home at Fly Ranch.

143 Plant Speices

A lush desert ecosystem

Fly Ranch is home to native wildflowers, wetlands grasses, desert peach, desert onions, and over a hundred types of plants.

2,000 Stewards

Ou r Fly Ranch members

550 people were involved in a 20 year process to acquire Fly Ranch, and since then Fly Ranch Stewards have led nature walks, work projects, and served as Guardians. Our membership stewards the vision, projects, and land at Fly Ranch.

Fly Ranch By The Numbers

Like pretty pictures? We do too.

Like pretty pictures? We do too.

Like pretty pictures? We do too.

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Fly Ranch on IG

IG

FB Discussion Group

FB

©1989-2025 Burning Man Project

Contact