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 first beganin 2017, we studied and observed the existing life and ecosystems for a year and a half. We documented 144 plants, 15 mammals, 138 birds, 12 reptiles, and more animal friends.
When we began to steward the land in 2017, we carefully studied and observed the existing life and ecosystems for 18 months.
Team Focus
Our team's priorities are to care for the land and help people get involved. Since 2015 we've spent $2.7M, made $2.3M, and avoided Burning Man water costs of $1M+. Learn about the vision.
Team Overview
Our team's priorities are to care for the land and help people get involved. Since 2015 we've spent $2.7M, made $2.3M, and avoided Burning Man water costs of $1M+. Learn about the vision.
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.
Get a sense of the landcape of Fly Ranch.
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.
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.
Baba Yaga's Tea House
An immersive art experience overlooking the stunning high desert landscape.
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 by a LAGI finalist.
BWB Summit
A flagship annual gathering held at Fly Ranch 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 by 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.
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.
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.”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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”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.
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.
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
By The Numbers
1000+ Nature Walks
Open Saturday in season
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
$2.3M 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
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
143 Plant s
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
136 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.
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
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.
By The Numbers
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