Investing in Future Outdoor Leaders: Celebrating Outdoor Equity Fund Recipients

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | October 8, 2025

Dispatches from New Mexico's

Outdoor Recreation Division

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Letter from the Grants Coordinator

Greetings outdoor enthusiasts,

Fall is here, which means that whether you’re in the desert or the high country it’s a perfect time to get out and enjoy New Mexico’s diverse and beautiful terrain!

Big news: FY26 Round 1 Outdoor Equity Fund grantees have been announced! This round is funding 61 organizations for a total of nearly $2.2 million, including urban, rural, and Tribal communities in 17 counties. You can get more info and see a full list of grantees in the press release at www.nmoutside.com/news . Round 2 opens January 1 , and we can’t wait to support even more outdoor programming for New Mexico’s youth!

As always, ORD’s team has been out and about in the community and on the trails.

Our Director, Karina, represented New Mexico at the Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee, NC. She was also elected as the new co-chair of the Confluence of States, a bipartisan coalition of outdoor recreation offices working together to strengthen the outdoor recreation industry. Read the press release at www.confluenceofstates.com/news .

I led beginner hikes at the New Mexico Conference on Aging in Glorieta and spoke on a panel at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development in Albuquerque.

Our Marketing Coordinator, Michelle, tabled at the Conservation Lands Foundation Camp OMDP in Las Cruces to celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Conservation Lands.

Our Program Manager, Carl, took some much-needed time off to mountain bike Moab’s red rock trails before diving into Trails+ Grant application reviews.

No matter how you enjoy the outdoors, here’s hoping you take advantage of fall’s cool temps, colorful leaves, and maybe even a few snowflakes.

Happy trails! Evan Pilling

Grants Coordinator

Outdoor Recreation Division

Indigenous Peoples' Day Events

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is coming up on September 13 , offering an opportunity to honor Native communities and cultures while spending time outdoors. Here are a few ways you can celebrate:

Sept 11-13: Indigenous Peoples' Day Weekend Celebration , Santa Fe

Sept 13: Honoring Native Nations Pow Wow , Santa Fe

Sept 13: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Celebrations , Albuquerque

Sept 13: Tiguex Park Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration , Albuquerque

In Other News

New Mexico communities get $26 million to reduce wildfire risk

Delegation wants Trump administration to exempt NM from proposed rollback of Roadless Rule

New Mexico State Parks temporarily waiving resident entry fees to most parks

Conservationists draw inspiration from beavers to Save the Rio Grande

Confluence of States leaders gather in North Carolina, elect new leadership from Pennsylvania and New Mexico

Get Involved

Adventure Pitch Fest

ORD invites you to celebrate New Mexico's great outdoors and local outdoor entrepreneurs on November 6 from 3-7PM at Albuquerque Rail Yards. Enjoy hands-on demos, kid-friendly activities, and cheer on businesses as they compete for $15k in cash prizes. Reserve your free tickets at bit.ly/adventurepitchfest .

Upcoming Workshops & Conferences

Oct 11: Migration Day at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park , Las Cruces

O ct 15: Bosque Trout Unlimited Speaker Series , Albuquerque

Oct 15: Estimating Recreational Visitation on Public Lands and Waters , virtual

Oct 15: Nature as Medicine: The Lesser-Known Physical Health Benefits of Time Outside , virtual

Oct 15, 29: TOTAL NM's NM Outdoor Classroom Free Virtual Workshop Series , virtual

Oct 16: Environment for the Americas Shared Spaces Webinar Series: Policies for the Birds , virtual

Oct 19-21: New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts 79th Annual Meeting , Albuquerque

Oct 22: Using Data to Improve Outdoor Access , virtual

Oct 29: TOTAL NM's NM Outdoor Classroom Free Virtual Workshop Series , virtual

Oct 29: Visitor Surveys and Management Actions , virtual

Nov 1: NM Outdoor Learning Summit , Albuquerque

Nov 5-7: Regenerate Conference , Santa Fe

New Mexio State Parks Photo Contest

Show off the beauty, adventure, and unforgettable fun you’ve captured at New Mexico's State Parks. Enter by October 31, 2025 and compete for your share of $1,500 in prizes!

Volunteer Opportunities

For a list of NM organizations with ongoing volunteer opportunities, visit nmoutside.com/volunteer

Now-Oct 26: Adaptive Cycling Volunteers , Albuquerque

Oct 10-12: Los Luceros Historic Site Invasive Tree Removal , Alcalde

Oct 18: Matheson Park/ Enchanted Park ABQ NeighborWoods Tree Planting , Albuquerque

Oct 18: Sagecrest Park Clean-up , Las Cruces

October 18: Santa Fe Conservation Trust Restoration Workday: Erosion Control Structures , Dovetail/Galisteo Basin contact melissa@sfct.org for more information.

Oct 25: Cedro Creek , Tijeras

Nov 1: Santa Fe Conservation Trust Restoration Workday: Erosion Control Structures , Dovetail/Galisteo Basin contact melissa@sfct.org for more information.

American Trails Accessibility Survey

Community members are invited to complete a survey by October 10 to share input on expanding accessible trails and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities, Veterans, older adults, and others who would benefit from more inclusive outdoor access.

Community Events

Now-Oct 12: Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta , Valles Caldera National Preserve

Now-Oct 12: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , Albuquerque

Oct 10: Silva Creek Botanical Garden Celebration , Silver City

Oct 10-12: Free Gila Campout with Wild AZ & Latino Outdoors NM , Cosmic Campground

Oct 11: Star Party , Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

Oct 12: Guided Geology Hike on Pine Tree Loop , Las Cruces

Oct 19: CiQlovía 2025 , Albuquerque

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