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Aug 13, 2025

Momentum Is Building in New Mexico�s Outdoor Communities!

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | August 13, 2025

Dispatches from New Mexico's

Outdoor Recreation Division

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Letter from the Marketing Coordinator

Greetings readers,

Our team is feeling energized by the momentum of community-driven outdoor work across New Mexico and we're excited to invite all past and present Outdoor Equity Fund and Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant recipients to convene with us at the Outdoor Economics Conference . Join us from 12:30-1:30PM on Tuesday, September 9 , in the main breakout room for some casual networking, games, and fun prizes!

Round 1 of the FY26 Outdoor Equity Fund closed and we’re thrilled to see so many organizations working to expand access to the outdoors. While this cycle will be especially competitive, we’re inspired by the vision behind each proposal. The second round of funding will open January 1,2026 . Let the review process begin!

Don’t forget, the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant is open for applications through September 30 . This grant supports everything from planning and trail construction to signage, outdoor classrooms, and more. We encourage you to attend our upcoming info session on August 14 at 4:30 p.m. (register at bit.ly.fy26trailsplusinfo ) or book a one-on-one call with Program Manager Carl Colonius to talk through your specific questions at bit.ly/trailsplus1on1 .

Our team is grateful to support and uplift the incredible work of outdoor programs and projects across New Mexico and we look forward to seeing what’s ahead.

Stay wild,

Michelle Simon

Marketing Coordinator

Outdoor Recreation Division

In Other News

Dovetail is the new name of SFCT’s 300-Acre Galisteo Basin Property

In wake of Trout Fire in Grant County, New Mexico state agencies react quickly to restore wildlife habitat

The strategic value of outdoor recreation offices

XTERRA Ruidoso 2025 to move forward as a beacon of resilience

5 outdoor spaces scientifically proven to calm you down

BLM New Mexico enhances sustainable recreation at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Get Involved

Race Events

For a list of running races visit runguides.com/new-mexico/runs

For a list of cycling races visit nmcycling.org

August 15-17: XTERRA Ruidos o , Ruidoso

August 16: Pajarito Mountain Run 10K , Los Alamos

August 16: GloriDays , Glorieta

August 16: Cloudcroft Ultra , Cloudcroft

August 23-24: Grindstone Trail Runs , Ruidoso

August 30: Chile Festival 5k Run , Hatch

September 6-7: Downhill Rockies 5 , Angel Fire

September 7: High Altitude Classic , Cloudcroft

Archeology Hike with Cassie Keyes

Join local archaeologist Cassie Keyes of the Carson National Forest, and board member of Friends of the Rio Grande del Norte, on August 16 for a guided hike through time along the stunning Vista Verde Trail in Carson, NM.

Intro to the Outdoors: Learn to Birdwatch

Join the City of Albuquerque's Open Space Division on a birding adventure at Elena Gallegos Open Space on August 16 .

Adaptive Sports NM Free Summer Events & Volunteer Opportunities

August 16: Cattle Call Wall Rock Climbing & Archery, Jemez

September 19-21: Disabled Veterans' Water Sports Camp, Logan

NMDOT Free Virtual NEPA Training

All professionals seeking to improve their public engagement skills, particularly those working in transportation, planning, or environmental review, are invited to this free 2.5 hour training on August 19 . Registration is required.

Volunteer Opportunities

August 15-17: Midnight Meadows Restoration

August 16: Juan Tomas ABQ Open Space Trail building , Albuquerque

August 16-17: San Cristobal Trail Maintenance Day/Overnight , email aackle@gmail.com to sign up

August 21: Capulin Trail Backpack , Capulin

August 23: Montgomery Park Tree planting , Albuquerque

August 23: Water Canyon Nature Trail , Magdalena

August 23: Montgomery Park Tree Planting , Albuquerque

August 25-28: Big Timber Trail Work , Mimbres

August 29-31: Limestone Canyon , Magdalena

September 6: Bull-of-the-Woods Half & Full Marathon Race , Taos Ski Valley

Environment for the Americas – Shared Spaces Webinar Series

August 21: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution

September 18: Dark Skies and Birds

October 16: Policies for the Birds

Safe Routes to School NM Summit

Register by August 27 for a free virtual summit from Sept 4-5 for anyone working to make student travel safer and more active. Topics include infrastructure, equity, education, policy, and funding with a presentation from the Outdoor Recreation Division.

Enchanted Circle Flyfishing Film Festival

Join Trout Unlimited at Taos Center for the Arts on August 28 for an evening of fly fishing short films highlighting the incredible angling destinations in New Mexico. Visit with guides, conservationists, and anglers from the area and learn about the work of Enchanted Circle Trout Unlimited and other organizations supporting habitat restoration in Northern NM.

Santa Fe Conservation Trust Restoration Workshop: Bullseye Monitoring

Learn to assess rangeland health using the Bullseye monitoring method in a hands-on workshop led by Santa Fe Conservation Trust and Ecotone Landscape Planning at the Dovetail in Lamy on August 30 . Explore the Bullseye monitoring method, practice in the field, and join ongoing stewardship efforts at the Dovetail. Contact melissa@sfct.org for more information.

New Mexico Outdoor Economics Conference

Join Outdoor New Mexico on September 8-10 at Red Rock Park near Gallup for their annual conference. Registration is required.

NM Magazine 25th Annual Photo Awards

Enter your best photos of New Mexico's people, places, and wildlife for a chance to win prizes valued up to $5,000! Contest closes September 15.

Santa Fe Gravel Quest

Saddle up for the Santa Fe County Gravel Quest, an odyssey through the beauty…