Celebrating Latino Conservation Week, Supporting Young Voices, and Sparking Outdoor Innovation

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | September 11, 2024

Dispatches from New Mexico's

Outdoor Recreation Division

In the Outdoor Recreation Division’s biweekly newsletter, find the latest on office and New Mexico’s outdoor recreation initiatives.

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Letter from the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

Hello readers,

Happy September! As temperatures begin to cool down across the state, the ORD team is excited to see more New Mexicans getting outside to enjoy this incredible time of year. Latino Conservation Week is coming up September 14-22 and there will be lots of fun outdoor events and volunteer opportunities! Latino Conservation Week was created by the Hispanic Access Foundation to support the Latino community in getting outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources.

A few events to kick off the celebration:

Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project is hosting the Rio Grande Comunidades Celebration , a free community event in Las Cruces.

New Mexico Wild will host a Habitat Restoration Project & Nature Walk in Albuquerque.

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge will host fun, bilingual events throughout the week.

Latino Outdoors and Continental Divide Trail Coalition invite families to LCW Fiesta in the Park at Barelas Park on September 21 for a celebration with music, art, a bike rodeo, food trucks, and more.

Our team, in partnership with CNM Ingenuity's ActivateNM , is thrilled to present the annual Adventure Pitch event at the Outdoor Economics Conference in Las Cruces on September 24. This dynamic live competition will showcase five innovative New Mexico-based businesses, each competing for a chance to win up to $10,000 to bring their visionary ideas to the next level. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the future of outdoor innovation in action!

We are equally excited for a special ORD-sponsored Next Gen Youth Panel on September 25, featuring young voices from programs funded by our Outdoor Equity Fund. Organized by Nature Niños , this panel will highlight personal experiences and insights into the future of outdoor recreation in New Mexico. Be sure to catch this inspiring discussion as the next generation shares their vision for a more inclusive and vibrant outdoor community.

Lastly, don't forget— applications for the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant close on September 30 . Apply at NMOutside.com . For any questions, please refer to our Grant Guide or contact Outdoor Recreation Planner, Carl Colonius, at carl.colonius@edd.nm.gov .

Stay wild,

Michelle Simon

ORD Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

In Other News

The Governor's Conference for Economic Development

Join other esteemed economic development professionals, influential state and local government officials, visionary legislators, and forward-thinking business leaders. The Governor's Conference for Economic Development is back and promises to be an event of unparalleled significance. This diverse and dynamic audience creates a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and impactful discussions.

The goal for this year's conference is to build upon the tremendous success of the past and foster an environment where innovative ideas take root. Be a part of this exceptional event, seizing the opportunity to engage with the most influential voices in economic development. The conference will run from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, until 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 .

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Outdoor Economics Conference Coming to Las Cruces, NM

This conference will showcase successful community economic development efforts within and outside of New Mexico that are linked to protected lands. It will focus on the development of governmental policies and local entrepreneurship connected to these opportunities. The conference will actively involve the attendance of leaders across the state and elsewhere interested in developing and enhancing opportunities to grow our outdoor recreation economy. ORD is proud to participate by once again bringing the Adventure Pitch to the conference on day one and by sponsoring the Next Gen Youth Panel with Nature Niños on the final day.

Register Here

Interior Department Announces Nearly $7 Million for Indian Youth Service Corps Projects

Indigenous-led conservation projects will develop Tribal capacity in conservation, natural resource management, and climate resilience. "These projects are part of an overall $15 million committed from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to strengthen the IYSC and other corps programs for underserved communities. This investment is expected to grow IYSC partnerships by 30 percent to reach over 5,000 young people, as part of the American Climate Corps."

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Expedition Camper Design & Manufacturing Company is Bringing Jobs to Farmington

Through funding from New Mexico Economic Development Department's Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP), up to five jobs will be created in Farmington at SasquatchXC, an innovative design & manufacturing company that creates high-quality off-roading campers. "JTIP secures monthly funding for applicants whose employees meet certain criteria. EDD reimburses for training programs of newly hired New Mexicans, with an emphasis on jobs in rural and frontier areas, New Mexico higher education graduates, veterans, and more."

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National Parks Contributed Record High $55.6 Billion to U.S. Economy, Supported 415,000 Jobs in 2023

"The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks." When we invest in preserving our state's lands and waters, we see a positive impact on the growth of local economies.

Read the Article & View the Data

APA Conference: The Future ain’t What it Used to Be

The American Planning Association, New Mexico…