$3.2M for NM Trail Projects + Winter Adventures Await!

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | December 3, 2025

Dispatches from New Mexico's

Outdoor Recreation Division

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Letter from the Marketing Coordinator

Happy December!

We're gearing up for winter adventures across the state, and we hope you are too. Keep an eye on conditions and projected opening dates at New Mexico's 10 ski areas at skinewmexico.com .

Last year I discovered the joy of snowshoeing in the Sandias, and this season I’m excited to try Nordic skiing at one of the many spots recommended by the Southwest Nordic Ski Club: swnskiclub.org/nordic-skiing-in-new-mexico .

We're also delighted to share that $3.2 million has been awarded to 18 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant recipients. You can read the full announcement at nmoutside.com/news . The final round of FY26 applications is open through Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 . If you're planning an outdoor recreation infrastructure project, visit n moutside.com to learn more, sign up for an info session, and apply.

Happy trails! Michelle Simon

Marketing Coordinator

Outdoor Recreation Division

In Other News

Taos mother-daughter duo places at South Korean horseback archery world championship

Newly revived food program allows hunters to donate wild big game meat

How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health

A drying-up Rio Grande basin threatens water security on both sides of the border

Reclamation: The bike world is a mess. The kids Reminded me how we fix it

Get Involved

Seeking Interns & Outdoor Businesses in Greater ABQ in Need of Interns

Future Focused Education is now recruiting for Spring outdoor-business related internships. Applications are open until Dec. 5 . Contact Thomas@futurefocusededucation.org or Rebecca@futurefocusededucation.org for info.

Upcoming Webinars, Workshops, and Conferences

Dec 10: Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant Informational Webinar , virtual

Dec 11: Moab Trail Ambassador Program - Education and Promotion of Responsible Recreation , virtual

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

March 4-6: Land and Water Summit , Albuquerque

Volunteer Opportunities

Visit nmoutside.com/volunteer for a list of NM organizations seeking volunteers.

Adaptive Sports Program NM , recruiting Ski & Snowboard volunteers

Dec 14: Las Cruces Christmas Bird Count , email Wayne Treers at way1mike@yahoo.com

Rio Grande Trail Commission

The next commission meeting will be held in Albuquerque on Friday, Jan. 16 . There will be a community gathering and site tour on Jan. 15 . Sign up for their newsletter at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/SnQK7K6 .

Community Events

Dec 4: Santa Fe Outdoor Recreation Meetup , Santa Fe

Dec 4-7-: Festival of the Cranes Alternative Events , Socorro

Dec 5-7: Red Rock Balloon Rally , Gallup

Dec 6: Winter Letters and Farolito Tour at Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site , Fort Sumner

Dec 6-7: Hunter Education Class , Farmington

Dec 13: Winter Solstice Celebration , Albuquerque

Dec 13: Rockound State Park Holiday Lights , Deming

Dec 13: Elephant Butte State Park Holiday Beach Walk , Elephant Butte

Dec 13: Leasburg Dam State Park Star Show , Radium Springs

Dec 15: Granite Rapids Moon Film Screening , Albuquerque

Dec 16: Granite Rapids Moon Film Screening , Santa Fe

Dec 20-21: Taos Ski Valley Community Weekend , Taos

Dec 27: Leasburg Dam State Park Bird Tour , Radium Springs

Seeking Businesses to Apply for Ski Lift Pitch

CNM Ingenuity is seeking pre-seed and series seed startups to apply for a unique business pitch event that will take place at Taos Ski Valley Feb. 2-3,2026 . Applications close Dec. 15 .

Running & Cycling Events

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

For a list of cycling races visit nmcycling.org

Dec 6: Cloudcroft Ugly Sweater 5k & 1 Mile Walk , Cloudcroft

Jan 17-18: Chama Chile Ski Classic , Chama

Jan 24: Sandia Snowshoe Classic , Albuquerque

Jan 31: Santa Fe Snowshoe Classic , Santa Fe

Feb 14: Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon , Grants

Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) Seeks Board of Directors

PNTS is looking for leaders who care deeply about connecting people, landscapes, and stories through the National Trails System.

Deadline: Dec. 15, 2025

Ernest Quintana and Marty Sterkel Education Scholarship

This 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 Input Needed for Village of Taos Ski Valley Trails and Greenspaces Plan

The Enchanted Circle Trails Association (ECTA) has been contracted by the Village of Taos Ski Valley to develop a comprehensive Village Trails and Greenspaces Plan. Leave your feedback at form.typeform.com/to/vmNnsTqF or attend a virtual community meeting on Dec. 15 from 5-7 PM. Use the following link and meeting ID: us06web.zoom.us/j/8418353958 Meeting ID: 841 8353 9584 .

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, 2026 .

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 .

Featured State Park

With 35 state parks to discover,…