2025 Wrapped: Momentum for Outdoor Recreation Access is Growing
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | December 17, 2025
Dispatches from New Mexico's
Outdoor Recreation Division
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Letter from the Director
Greetings outdoor enthusiasts,
As we close out 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the countless stories shared with us this year, from students learning to fly fish for the first time to rural communities building trails and bike parks they’ve dreamed about for decades. These stories are at the heart of why we do this work. Outdoor recreation isn’t only about trails, campsites, and rivers. It’s about belonging, wellbeing, and community opportunity. Every investment we make together, whether in youth programs, local businesses, or outdoor infrastructure, builds a more connected and healthier New Mexico.
This year, our grantees set new records , our partners launched bold collaborations, and more New Mexicans gained access to the outdoors than ever before. We’ve seen firsthand that when communities have the resources to shape their own outdoor future, they create spaces that reflect their values, their histories, and their hopes for generations ahead.
Looking to 2026, we’re excited to continue expanding access statewide, and to do so with a deeper focus on health and wellbeing. As the national conversation grows around nature as medicine, New Mexico will continue to lead the way by investing in programs that uplift youth, support mental and physical health, and strengthen local economies. We are also eager to participate in the next Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) to ensure that every community – urban, rural, Tribal, mountainous, border, and everywhere in between – has a voice in shaping the future of outdoor recreation in our state.
Thank you for believing in this work. Thank you for showing up as stewards, educators, advocates, innovators, and changemakers. And thank you for getting outside with your families, your neighbors, and your communities, creating the impact we are so proud to support.
Together, we are building something that lasts, and the momentum is growing.
With gratitude, Karina Armijo, Director
Outdoor Recreation Division
In Other News
Legislation to protect the Gila and San Francisco Rivers takes important step forward with Senate hearing
Department of the Interior announces modernized, more affordable national park access
Three takeaways from Sen. Martin Heinrich’s roundtable with public land experts
Badlands broken beauty
Get Involved
Birding Big Year Contest Info Session
The New Mexico Department of Game & Fish (soon to be Department of Wildlife) will start its first annual Birding Big Year Contest. Birding enthusiasts are invited to join a virtual meeting at noon on Dec. 18 to learn more.
Western National Parks Scholarship Opportunity
The Ernest Quintana and Marty Sterkel Education Scholarship supports underrepresented young adults with a professional interest in public lands and national parks, promoting a diverse community and workforce.
Deadline: Dec. 31, 2025
Community Events
Dec 19: Rockhound State Parks Stars-n-Parks , Deming
Dec 19: Holiday Lights Bike Ride , Las Cruces
Dec 19: From City Lights to Starry Nights , Albuquerque
Dec 20-21: Taos Ski Valley Community Weekend , Taos
Dec 27: Leasburg Dam State Park Bird Tour , Radium Springs
Jan 1: NM State Parks First Day Hikes & Polar Plunges , statewide
Jan 2: The North Face Presents: First Descents , Santa Fe
Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council Call for Volunteers (AMRC)
AMRC is recruiting volunteers to apply for the 2026 Operational Core Curriculum class. Interested applicants must attend an info session on Jan. 13 at 7:15 PM , either virtually or in-person, at Stone Age Midtown in Albuquerque.
NM Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Seeks Public Input for Active Transportation Guide
NMDOT is developing its first-ever Active Transportation Plan to guide future pedestrian and bicycle improvements on state-owned roads. Take a survey in English or Spanish to help them better understand and respond to the needs of people who walk, bike, and roll in New Mexico. Survey closes Jan. 15 .
Upcoming Webinars, Workshops, and Conferences
Dec 17: Outdoor Equity Fund Informational Webinar , virtual
Jan 2-3: Workshop: Nevertheless, They Persisted; Grief and Courage in Times of Environmental Peril , Silver City
Jan 6: Outdoor Equity Fund Informational Webinar , virtual
Jan 8: Aggregate Trail Surfacing: From Fundamentals to Field Application , virtual
Jan 14: Estimating Recreational Visitation on Public Lands and Waters , virtual
Feb 10-11: Visitor Use Management Training , Golden, CO
Feb 27-Mar 1: Wilderness First Aid Classes , Silver City
Mar 4-6: Land and Water Summit , Albuquerque
Volunteer Opportunities
Visit nmoutside.com/volunteer for a list of NM organizations seeking volunteers.
Rio Grande Trail Commission
The next commission meeting will be held in Albuquerque on Friday, Jan. 16 , with a community gathering and site tour on Jan. 15 . RSVP HERE .
New Mexico Fish Art Contest for Students
Students in grades K-12 are invited to submit artwork highlighting fish species found in New Mexico. Contest closes on Jan. 31 .
2026 Leopold Writing Contest
New Mexican students in grades 6-12 are invited to write an essay responding to an environmental-themed writing prompt. The essays are assessed by a panel of judges and the winning essayists receive monetary awards at a celebration on Earth Day. Essays are due by Feb. 3.
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.
Storrie Lake State Park
Apache, Lipan Apache, Ute and Puebloan lands
Located just outside Las Vegas, New Mexico, Storrie Lake State Park is a…