National Trails Day & More Trails+ Grant Awardees
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | May 22, 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 Director
National Trails Day is Fast Approaching!
How will you spend your day? We've got some exciting ideas for you!
On Saturday, June 1, dive into the spirit of National Trails Day , an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society. This special day unites trail enthusiasts for a celebration of service and appreciation for our incredible public lands. Whether it's national scenic and historic trails or your favorite local paths, this day is about coming together to protect and enhance the trails we love.
Join the nationwide movement and participate in a variety of events happening across New Mexico. Grab your friends and family or join your favorite trail organization and make a difference. Here’s how you can get involved:
Volunteer for a trail event: Lend a hand in a trail maintenance project and help keep our paths beautiful.
Show your appreciation: Take a moment to thank the dedicated volunteers and workers who tirelessly maintain and improve our trails year-round.
Find a local project: Look for trail projects in your area and dedicate your time to improving and preserving our outdoor spaces for all to enjoy.
Start a trail project: Begin a trail project in your community utilizing ORD’s Trails+ Grant. Learn about the latest Trails+ Grant projects .
Take a friend: Sharing trails with family members and friends is a great way to connect while celebrating and advocating for the outdoors.
Let's make a positive impact today and every day by celebrating our great outdoors and leaving our trails better than we found them!
Karina Armijo
ORD Director
In Other News
Applications open until May 27 for the new ActivatOR Outdoor Business Accelerator
ActivatOR accelerates growth for small businesses in the outdoor recreation sector. Companies at any stage seeking growth are welcome, from ideation to established businesses to owners seeking a successor. Our program supports your growth goals, whether that is customers, revenue, jobs, succession, or more.
ActivatOR is FREE and fully funded by the Outdoor Recreation Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. ORD has contracted with ActivateNM, part of CNM Ingenuity, to run the ORD Outdoor Business Accelerator Program! Applications opened May 1, 2024 and companies are encouraged to apply by May 27 to secure a spot.
Learn More & Apply
ORD launches Outdoor Recreation Business Survey with endeavOR NM
The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division, in collaboration with endeavOR New Mexico, has developed a short survey to determine how ORD can best serve the state’s outdoor recreation businesses. ORD is seeking to solicit survey responses from all outdoor recreation businesses in New Mexico, dedicated to advancing a sustainable and thriving outdoor recreation economy across our state. Your input is crucial to this effort!
Please take a few moments to take the survey. Sharing this survey with your peers in the New Mexico outdoor recreation community is also highly encouraged. The aim is to connect with every business in the industry statewide. Your valuable feedback is greatly appreciated.
Take the Survey
The New Mexico equine community is invited to a conversation with ORD
ORD invites you to participate in a conversation with the NM Outdoor Recreation Division about opportunities for the equine community of New Mexico on June 5 at 3 pm. The virtual gathering will focus on grant opportunities and projects through the Trails+ Grant, as well as listening to feedback from you. This grant program has funded exciting projects that go beyond trail infrastructure and still align with our mission to increase equitable access to the outdoors for all New Mexicans – including the equine community!
Save the date: Wednesday, June 5 at 3 PM
Email Questions in Advance
Almost $2M more in Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant awards Announced
The Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) of the Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced the fourth round of fiscal year 2024 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant recipients. ORD is awarding $1,944,944 in funding to 13 projects throughout the state to expand outdoor access and grow the New Mexico outdoor recreation economy.
“Since Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham created the Outdoor Recreation Division in 2019 and identified outdoor businesses as a key path to diversify New Mexico’s economy, the Economic Development Department through ORD has provided 147 grants in 29 counties with this innovative Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program,” Acting EDD Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper said. “These are infrastructure and improvement dollars flowing to all corners of New Mexico to help communities support recreational amenities and create jobs.”
Press Release
Update on the Economic Development Department's Strategic Plan
The Statewide Strategic Plan identified nine target sectors as avenues to diversification: aerospace, biosciences, cybersecurity, film and television, outdoor recreation, intelligent manufacturing, global trade, sustainable and green energy, and sustainable and value-added agriculture.
EDD is working with the Sustainable Economy Advisory Council and Task Force to shape the next iteration of the state plan. It is crucial to track progress on recommendations included in the 2023 plan and amend future goals with this progress in mind.
View the 2023 version of the plan and sign up for updates about the Sustainable Economy Advisory Council and Task Force , which will play a key role in shaping the next iteration of the state plan. We look forward to your participation.
Statewide Strategic Plan Input Form
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