Celebrate NM Trails, Outdoor Equity & Our Newest Team Member
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | June 4, 2025
Dispatches from New Mexico's
Outdoor Recreation Division
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Letter from the Grants Coordinator
Greetings New Mexico!
My name is Evan Pilling, and I am the new grants coordinator for the Outdoor Recreation Division. I will be managing the Outdoor Equity Fund grant program and am thrilled to support youth engagement in Outdoor Recreation throughout New Mexico.
I spent the last several years in Farmington serving as the outdoor recreation coordinator for the city, and prior to that worked in trail design and construction in Southern Arizona. In addition to my years of experience in trails and outdoor recreation, I have a background in counseling and community mediation, and I have a special passion for increasing equitable access to the outdoors for all members of our communities. The State of New Mexico is a national leader in support and investment in Outdoor Recreation and I’m honored to be a part of ORD.
In other exciting news, Outdoor Equity Fund applications are now open for FY26 Round 1 through July 31, 2025 . Check out th e press release for details and join us for an informational webinar on June 12 to learn what's new for FY26. Visit www.NMOutside.com to review the grant guides and apply. A second informational webinar will be held on July 15 , and I can always be reached at evan.pilling@edd.nm.gov for questions.
Lastly, June 7 marks National Trails Day, a celebration of our public lands and trails. There's no time like the present to get outside and show your support for our state's precious public lands. Check out the list below to help get you started.
See you on the trails!
Evan Pilling
Grants Coordinator
Outdoor Recreation Division
National Trails Day Events on June 7
Summer Fest at Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge , Las Vegas
Quarai Spanish Corral Trail Maintenance , Salinas Pueblo Missions
National Trails Day at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area , Albuquerque
Angel Fire National Trails Day , Angel Fire
Stewardship & Trail Adopter Training with the Continental Divide Trail Association , Gallina
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association Annual Poker Hike , Cloudcroft
Emory Pass Trail Stewardship , Hillsboro
In Other News
ActivatOR Outdoor Recreation Growth Accelerator applications are open for NM-based businesses
Lawmakers removed a 500,000-acre public lands sell-off from the presidents budget bill
Local writer's new Santa Fe to Taos thru-hike guidebook details a 132-mile alpine adventure
As states rethink wildlife management, New Mexico offers a new model
Santa Fe County signs off on issuing $21 million in bonds for road, open space projects
Get Involved
Reel Rock 19 Screening and Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad (OMTRS) Fundraiser
National Forest Week Events
Join the National Forest Foundation for a week-long celebration in Santa Fe and Silver City.
June 10 – Group Hike at the Catwalk
June 12 – Celebration and Black Fire Recovery Benefit at Open Space Brewery
June 12 – Santa Fe Brewing Co Group Bike Ride and Celebration
June 13 – De Vargas Park River Cleanup
June 13 – Group Hike at Allie Canyon
June 14 – National Forest Week Celebration at Open Space Brewery
June 14 – Randall Davey Audubon Center Guided Birding Walk
June 14 – City of Santa Fe Protected Watershed Guided Educational Hike (Registration required)
June 15 – Nuckolls Brewing Co National Forest Week Celebration
Santa Fe Outdoor Recreation Meetup
Outdoor recreation businesses are invited to a quarterly networking event on June 12 hosted by the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County Economic Development Offices.
Crag Work Day at Comales Canyon
Join NM CRAG for a trail maintenance and cleanup day on June 14 at Comales Canyon Trail #22.
Teaching Beyond the Walls
Join TOTAL NM on June 13 & 14 for a free, two-day conference for Pre-K-12 educators looking to integrate daily outdoor learning and school gardens into their teaching.
Forest Service, BLM, National Park Free Days
The USDA Forest Service will waive recreation fees at most day-use sites across national forests in New Mexico on June 14 to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day and on June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth. BLM and National Parks and Monuments will be free to enter June 19.
30th Annual Youth Fishing Day
Head to Grindstone Lake on June 14 for a fun-filled morning of fishing, swimming, disc golf, cone rides, prizes and more. Fishing activities are focused on youth 12 years old and younger, fishing licenses are required for youth 12+.
Jeep & Off-Road Retreat
Join the Off-Road Outlaws for a family-friendly off-roading event in Carlsbad on June 21.
Outdoor Expo
Registration is open for outdoor recreation businesses and organizations to promote their services at the Outdoor Expo on June 28-29 at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe.
Calls for Volunteer Recruitment
NM Wildlife Federation
Friends of the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks
NM Volunteers for the Outdoors
NM State Parks
NM Wilderness Alliance
City of Albuquerque Open Space
Backcountry Horsemen of NM
Doña Ana Village Association
Santa Fe Conservation Trust
NM Search & Rescue Groups
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.
Hyde Memorial State Park
Ute and Puebloan Lands
About the Park: Tucked in the cool pine forests of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Hyde Memorial State Park offers a refreshing retreat just minutes from Santa Fe. Visitors can explore scenic trails, enjoy peaceful campsites and yurts, or take in sweeping views along Little Tesuque Creek.
In winter, the park transforms into a snowy playground with opportunities for snowshoeing, sledding, and…