EXPLORE! Legislative updates, careers, events and so much more!
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | January 31, 2025
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 Director
Hello Friends of New Mexico's Great Outdoors,
The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act , signed into law by President Biden on January 4, 2025, marks a significant milestone for public lands, outdoor recreation, and our local communities. This bipartisan legislation offers several key initiatives, a few highlighted here:
Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act: Improves and streamlines permitting for outfitters, educational groups, and community organizations.
Biking on Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act: Expands cycling opportunities by identifying and developing new long-distance bike trails.
Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act: Provides free national park access for fourth graders and families through 2031.
Gateway Communities Support: Invests in infrastructure and housing for small towns near iconic landscapes.
Conservation and Maintenance: Funds restoration of campsites and trails on federal lands.
Outdoor recreation is crucial to our state, contributing over 29,000 jobs and $3.2 billion in GDP annually. We deeply appreciate Senator Martin Heinrich , Senator Ben Ray Luján , and our House Representatives for their leadership in passing this groundbreaking legislation.
The Outdoor Recreation Division will continue to explore and communicate the EXPLORE Act's opportunities for New Mexico and its outdoor recreation industry, ensuring our communities stay informed about these transformative provisions.
Thank you and let's get outside!
Karina Armijo
Director, New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division
In Other News
Sporting groups & partners cheer conservation investment in the Rio Grande headwaters
Public access victory for New Mexico
Four Corners community carves out path to an outdoor economy
Future-proofing the outdoor recreation economy
New guide argues creating a more welcoming outdoors is good for everyone
View Guide
Get Involved
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Join Pajarito Environmental Education Center from March 18-19 for two different lineups of the best in mountain and adventure films from around the globe – curated just for Santa Fe! Tickets go on sale January 31 .
Campground Host Volunteer Opportunities
The BLM Las Cruces District Office is looking for volunteer site hosts for the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site and Campground and Aguirre Springs Campground for the 2025 spring/summer season.
Free Family Ice Fishing Event
Northern New Mexico youth, 12-18 y/o, and their families are invited to join Latino Outdoors & New Mexico Game and Fish at Eagles Nest on February 9 to learn the basics of ice fishing. Youth will be provided with a day fishing license free of charge, adults must purchase our bring their own fishing license.
Valles Caldera Climate Research Volunteer Opportunity
The Climate Research Volunteer will develop and share information on how climate affects Valles Caldera and the Jemez Mountains. This role combines both in-person and remote work to support ranger and volunteer education efforts.
Sierra Vista Trail Runs
The Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance's 13th annual Sierra Vista Trail Run is coming up on March 1 in Las Cruces, NM. This event will include a 50k, half-marathon, 10k, 5k, and 1-mile kids fun run.
King of the Hill Trail Run
Sign up today for a 5k, 10k, or half marathon in the beautiful and challenging trails of El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve March 9 . The courses feature beautiful views and large elevation changes on the 10k and half marathon courses.
Water-Themed Writing Contest for NM Students
Aldo Leopold Writing Program is offering cash prizes to essayists in 6-12 grade! The prompt is: Write about the song or melody you hear in a body of water and what you would answer back. Submissions close February 14.
New Mexico Outdoor Adventure Show
Save the date for NM Department of Game & Fish's annual gathering of New Mexico's outdoor recreation industry for a family-friendly, fun event February 14-16 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Trail Highlight
The Bluff Trail
Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), Mescalero Apache lands
Roswell, NM
About the Trail: Visit New Mexico's first designated state park and explore the Bluff Trail, an easy and scenic 1.8-mile out-and-back trail that is wide and flat and features interpretive signage and bluff views along one of the park's seven small lakes. The region's unique lakes are actually sinkholes ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep that were formed by dissolving limestone and subsequent collapse. This area is great for hiking, swimming, fishing, and scuba diving.
Know before you go: NM residents are exempt from paying state park day use fees from October 1 through April 30. There is a small fee for non-residents. Trash cans, bathrooms, and covered picnic areas are available. Always practice leave no trace principles .
Where to go afterward: Head to The Valley Café in Roswell for high-quality comfort food and fantastic service.
Industry Careers
Outdoor Recreation Positions Throughout New Mexico
Running Medicine is searching for a Youth Coordinator
Pajarito Environmental Education Center is hiring a Visitor Services Manager
Doña Ana County is seeking a Planner/Designer in the Community Development Department
City of Albuquerque is hiring a Bicycle Program Tech
Youth Conservation Corps is looking for an Executive Director
NM Wilderness Alliance is hiring Wilderness Rangers throughout the state
Albuquerque Academy seeks an Experiential Education Teaching Fellow
Conservation Corps New Mexico is looking to fill: Crew Positions in…