$1.9 M for NM Youth + Spring Adventures Close to Home

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | April 1, 2026

Dispatches from New Mexico's

Outdoor Recreation Division

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Letter from the Grants Coordinator

Greetings outdoor enthusiasts,

We're pleased to announce $1.9 million has been awarded

to the next round of Outdoor Equity Fund recipients! Visit www.nmoutside.com/news to for all the details.

FY26 was another record-setting year and we're proud to support another 62 programs that connect youth to meaningful outdoor experiences. Our team is looking forward to FY27 and we're grateful to our governor and legislators for continuing to prioritize outdoor recreation with a $10.5 million investment. Read the press release .

It’s officially Spring in New Mexico! Trees are budding, flowers are popping and rivers are rising. It’s time to get out your warm-weather gear and prep for your next adventure. With gas prices at their highest in years, it's a great time to think about adventures close to home. Read on for some tips and tricks to travel and adventure closer to home.

Search ORD’s grants map! A quick search of our grants map can show you recreation opportunities nearby and organizations that may have programming or volunteer opportunities.

Explore your local parks and urban trails! Consider reaching out to your local Parks and Recreation Department for tips.

Get into backyard naturalism and citizen science! Organizations like the Audubon Society can get you into birding, and platforms like iNaturalist are great for ID-ing flora and fauna while contributing to global species inventories.

Take a deep dive into your local state park or national forest , or BLM district .

For my part, I’ll be jumping on my gravel bike from my home in Albuquerque and pedaling to the Bosque or up into the foothills. Maybe I’ll see some of you out there.

Happy Trails,

Evan Pilling

Share Your Input

Help Inform the Future of New Mexico Outdoor Recreation

The state is updating its 5-year outdoor recreation plan, and your input will help guide priorities for parks, trails and outdoor access across the state.

Take the survey by April 15 and share what matters most to you!

Public survey: bit.ly/NMSCORP

Survey for LWCF-eligible applicants (Tribal, state & local governments, schools, s oil & water conservation districts ): bit.ly/NM_LWCF

In Other News

Outdoor economy climbs in New Mexico, fresh federal data shows

The popular Boneyard Trails were closed for years. Now, they’ve been legalized and reopened to mountain bikers

Boom, bust, or something better: Is outdoor recreation the future of Grants, New Mexico?

Policy brief: Outdoor recreation and public health

Sandia Crest to partially close until 2027 for wildfire mitigation

Get Involved

Join the Santa Fe River Commission

The City of Santa Fe is seeking two community members with experience in hydrology, environmental science, civil engineering, stormwater management, acequia culture, Santa Fe history and/or public outreach to serve on the Santa Fe River Commission. Help guide the future of the river and its watershed. Send your resume and letter of interest to Zoë Isaacson a zrisaacson@santafenm.gov by April 17 .

Running and Cycling Events

For a list of running races visit runguides.com/new-mexico/runs

For a list of cycling races visit nmcycling.org

Apr 19: Tour de Optimism , Las Cruces

Apr 25: John Ashcraft Memorial Family Run , Ruidoso

Apr 29: Tour of the Gila , Silver City

May 1-2: Shiprock Marathon , Shiprock

May 2: Turquoise Trail Pack Burro Race , Cerrillos

May 4: 6-Hours in the Basin , Santa Fe

May 16: Bluewater Canyon Trail Race , Bluewater

May 16: Vermejo Charcoal Burner , Raton

May 16: Hood Mesa Trail Run , Farmington

May 16-17, Santa Fe Century , Santa Fe

May 17: Magdalena Burro Stampede Pack Burro Race , Magdalena

Community Events

Apr 4: Route 66 100th Anniversary Cruise , Santa Fe

Apr 4: New Mexico Outdoor Festival & Skills Competition , Edgewood

Apr 9-10: Rio Grande Trail Commission Meeting & Site Tour , Las Cruces

Apr 11: Art in the Park at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park , Las Cruces

Apr 17: Stories from the Land , Taos

Apr 17-19: Twin Bridges Fence Removal & Turkey Hunt , Cuba

April 18: Nob Hill Refresh , Albuquerque

April 18: Earth Day Festival , Los Alamos

Apr 23-26: Continental Divide Trail Days , Silver City

April 25: !mira¡ Las Cruces , Las Cruces

Apr 25: Earth Day in the Railyard Park , Santa Fe

Apr 26: Earth Day Festival , Albuquerque

Apr 30-May 3: Bosque del Apache Spring Migration Celebration , San Antonio

Public Comment for Petroglyph National Monument Enhancements

Have a say in the future of Boca Negra Canyon and Lava Shadow. Review the preliminary plans and submit your input to help shape how these spaces are managed and prioritized moving forward.

Upcoming Webinars, Workshops, and Conferences

Apr 9: Santa Fe Business Expo , Santa Fe

Apr 14-16: Sustainable Trails Conference , Boise, ID

Apr 24-26: New Mexico Search & Rescue Council ESCAPE , Glorieta

May 19-21: Mountain West Trails Conference , Rock Springs, WY

New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

The award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. The application deadline is June 15, 2026 .

Featured State Park

With 35 state parks to discover, there’s no shortage of adventure in New Mexico! From scenic lakes and rugged mountains to historic sites and hidden gems, each park offers something unique.

Sumner Lake State Park

Jicarilla Apache, Kiowa, Comanche, Lipan Apache, Mescalero Apache lands

Sumner Lake State Park, located on the plains of eastern New Mexico, surrounds a wide reservoir perfect for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. The park also offers…