Coming together for New Mexico�s outdoor community
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | February 4, 2026
Dispatches from New Mexico's
Outdoor Recreation Division
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Letter from the Marketing Coordinator
Last month, the ORD team came together at Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Day at the Capitol, and it was energizing to spend the day making new connections and strengthening partnerships. We’re grateful to the New Mexico Tourism Department for sharing the day with us, to our partners who showed up in support, and to the speakers who shared impactful data and exciting updates on the wide range of outdoor recreation industries shaping our state.
More recently, ORD was proud to sponsor Ski Lift Pitch alongside the Technology and Innovation Office . The event was held earlier this week at Taos Ski Valley and we are pleased to congratulations to this year’s NM-based winner, Guide Theory , and the out-of-state winner, Southlight Services ! We’re inspired by the creativity and drive of outdoor entrepreneurs and proud to support businesses that are strengthening our outdoor economy.
Looking ahead, you’ll find us at the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s Outdoor Adventures Show in Albuquerque, Feb. 13-15 . We'll be celebrating New Mexico's great outdoors alongside dozens of outdoor recreation organizations and businesses with interactive activities for all ages. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for youth 17 and under. Don't miss the game calling competitions on Saturday!
See you outside!
Michelle Simon
In Other News
The concrete skatepark oasis in the Navajo Nation desert
TransRockies New Mexico Singletrack debuts with $20K prize purse
Building Gordy’s Hill: How New Mexico 4 Wheelers worked with agencies to protect & expand access
ORR celebrates one-year anniversary of the EXPLORE Act
State launches 2026 New Mexico Big Year birding challenge
Get Involved
NMDOT Active Transportation Survey
Safe places to walk, bike, and roll through our communities are a necessity.
NMDOT needs your input to help improve active transportation options across New Mexico. Take the survey here .
Community Events
Feb 6: Public Lands Rally at the Roundhouse , Santa Fe
Feb 7, 14, 28: Free Guided Mountain Bike Tours , Las Cruces
Feb 13: Backcountry Film Festival , Taos
Feb 13-15: NM Dept. Of Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Show , Albuquerque
April 23-26: Continental Divide Trail Days , Silver City
Ongoing: NM State Parks Events , statewide
City of Albuquerque Seeks Outdoor Businesses
The City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department is exploring the creation of an Outdoor Recreation Accelerator and Community Space that would offer affordable, reduced-rent workspace for outdoor recreation businesses and nonprofit organizations. Your responses will help inform future planning and decision-making for this proposed facility. Take the survey at: https://lnkd.in/gdj2y2jk .
Upcoming Webinars, Workshops, and Conferences
Feb 9-11: Hike the Hill , Virtual
Feb 10-11: Visitor Use Management Training , Golden, CO
Feb 17-18: Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp , virtual
Feb 18-20: New Mexico MainStreet Conference , Albuquerque
Feb 19: Navajo Trails and Outdoor Recreation Conference , Monument Valley, UT
Feb 27-Mar 1: Wilderness First Aid Classes , Silver City
Mar 1-5: In-Person Hike the Hill , Washington DC
Mar 4-6: Land and Water Summit , Albuquerque
Outdoor Education Program at Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area
4th-5th grade educators are encouraged to sign up for the Outdoor Education Program at Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area. Students will learn about ecosystems, plants and animals of the Bosque, nature journaling, and conservation basics through interactive activities. Schools in Valencia County will receive reimbursement for bus transportation, free nature journals and pencils.
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 Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
Volunteer Opportunities
Visit nmoutside.com/volunteer for a list of NM organizations seeking volunteers.
Feb 14: Bear Canyon Open Space Tumbleweed Cleanup , Albuquerque
Feb 20-22: Bootheel Fence Modification , Lordsburg
Feb 28: NeighborWoods Tree Planting Event , Las Cruces
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.
Morphy Lake State Park
Ute, Lipan Apache, Puebloan lands
Morphy Lake State Park, perched at 8,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, features a 15-acre lake stocked with rainbow trout, ideal for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The park also offers 26 rustic campsites, winter ice fishing, and cross-country skiing, providing a serene mountain retreat year-round.
Always practice leave no trace principles and plan ahead for your adventure. Familiarize yourself with the 10 essentials and check the State Parks website for important updates and details.
Industry Careers
Outdoor Recreation Positions Throughout New Mexico
Visit www.spo.state.nm.us for updates on state employment opportunitie s.
Visit conservationjobboard.com and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's Workforce Hub for more career resources.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Director of Development , Santa Fe
Santa Fe Watershed Association, Education Assistant , Santa Fe
Santa Fe Watershed Association, Stewardship and Outreach Assistant , Santa Fe
Ghost Ranch, Director of Marketing & Communications , Abiquiú
Conservation Lands Foundation, Associate Program Director , remote in AZ & NM
Semilla Project, NextGen ROOTS…