The Black Rock Desert is a place unlike any other — a wide expanse of possibility set in the heart of one of the most scenic, culturally rich, scientifically important and yet least-known public lands in the country. The Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area is part of the nation’s prized National Conservation Lands, a special designation given by the U.S. Government. We are grateful for this stunningly beautiful location and are equally committed to respecting and protecting this special place.

Black Rock City is the largest Leave No Trace (LNT) event in the world. Our community takes a great deal of pride in setting this example. You can see the outcomes of our LNT  commitment everywhere in Black Rock City. 

There is no garbage collection service in BRC. It is up to all of us to remove all Matter Out of Place (MOOP). Our permit with BLM allows us a short period of time to restore the playa to its original condition. We can only satisfy BLM stipulations and pass inspection if ALL citizens share the responsibility of Leaving No Trace by MOOP sweeping our camps, art projects, and beloved Black Rock City.

Black Rock City has a volunteer-led environmental compliance and LNT Outreach Team. This group of Earth Guardians and Black Rock Rangers educates and helps participants address common environmental issues such as vehicle oil leaks and wastewater spills. Help us help you. If our team finds an issue, you’ll be given 24 hours to fix it. You may face a BLM citation or eviction if you don’t address oil and wastewater spills. If you need help, visit the Black Rock Rangers and Earth Guardians. 

Everything you bring out to the playa can become Matter Out of Place: tent stakes, bottle caps, ashes, wood debris, orange peels, cigarette butts, pistachio shells, rope fibers, sequins — even bicycles. It all has to return home with you. Pack it in. Pack it out. Whether on the Black Rock Desert or beyond, Leaving No Trace demonstrates our community’s commitment to the environment.

In July 2019, Burning Man Project published the 10-Year Environmental Sustainability Roadmap. Across our events, properties, and operations, by 2030 our goals are to: 

  • Handle Waste Ecologically 
  • Be Ecologically Regenerative 
  • Be Carbon Negative 

These goals are in line with what we all need to do to ensure that Earth is a viable ecosystem. We believe that the global Burning Man community has a pivotal role to play. Like the communal effort model of Black Rock City itself, achieving these goals will require collaboration between all of us — including all citizens of Black Rock City.