New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Grants, Action & Community
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | July 16, 2025
Dispatches from New Mexico's
Outdoor Recreation Division
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Letter from the Marketing Coordinator
Greetings outdoor enthusiasts,
Our hearts are with the Ruidoso community following the recent, devastating flash flooding. If you’re looking for ways to support recovery efforts, this list compiled by KOB 4 offers several options for how you can help.
As extreme weather incidents increasingly affect our communities, it's imperative that we come together to support long-term, community-driven recovery. Programs like the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant , now open for applications, and the Land & Water Conservation Fund's Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership offer funding that can help communities rebuild and strengthen their outdoor spaces and economies.
Sign up for an informational webinar on August 14 to learn more about our Trails+ Grant. Visit bit.ly/fy26trailsplusinfo to register or schedule a one-on-one call with Program Manager Carl Colonius at https://bit.ly/trailsplus1on1 .
Stay wild,
Michelle Simon
Marketing Coordinator
Outdoor Recreation Division
In Other News
New Mexico governor calls the deadly Ruidoso flooding ‘unfathomable’ as more damage is found
Northern New Mexico’s newest MTB jump park announces July 19 grand opening & jam at Picuris Pueblo
A song and a chirp: How blind birders tell a robin from a wren
Rooted Waters' documentary turns a spotlight on a New Mexico youth fishing camp
Get Involved
Trout Unlimited Bosque Chapter Speaker Series
Learn about the current state of conservation and native fish in NM. Head to Marble Brewing in Albuquerque on July 16 to learn more from Kirk Patten, Head of Fisheries at NMDGF.
Picuris Pueblo Bike Park Grand Opening
Celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Picuris Pueblo's incredible new bike park on July 19 . The Pueblo used a $500,000 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant to create a pro and intermediate mountain biking jump park.
Firefly + Wheelchair Combo Rentals Now Available in Albuquerque
Wheelchair users can hit the trails, grassy parks, and gravel pathways with confidence when they rent the newly available Firefly/Wheelchair combo from Go Adelante's destinationaccessability.com. This attachment is just 14 pounds and can cruise up to 16 miles on a single charge.
Volunteer Opportunities
July 18: Prickly Pear Planting Field Day , Las Cruces
July 19: Sagecrest Park Clean-up , Las Cruces
August 16: Juan Tomas ABQ Open Space Trail building , Albuquerque
August 21: Capulin Trail Backpack , Santa Fe National Forest , Capulin
August 25-28: Big Timber Trail Work , Mimbres
August 16: Juan Tomas ABQ Open Space Trail building , Albuquerque
August 21: Capulin Trail Backpack, Santa Fe National Forest , Capulin
Ongoing Volunteer Recruitment
Gila Chapter Back Country Horsemen
Gila Resources
NM State Parks
NM Wild
NM Department of Game & Fish
NM Wildlife Federation
Nuestra Tierra
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service Earth Team
Randall Davey Audubon Center
Southwest Audubon Society
Southwest Audubon Society
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service Earth Team
Volunteer.gov
Building Resilience in the Middle Rio Grande
Join NM Water Advocates for their next virtual workshop on July 17 featuring two Bernalillo County Commissioners & Water Utility Authority board members whose jurisdictions are at the front lines of New Mexico’s water crisis. Register at bit.ly/3HH1bDf .
Women's Fly Fishing Clinic
Friends of Rio Grande Del Norte is hosting a free basics of fly-fishing clinic with all gear provided on July 19 at Taos Junction Bridge. Registration is required.
Upcoming Race Events
July 19-20: 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest , Gallup
July 26: Asaayi Bike Race , Navajo
August 1-2: Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon , Socorro
August 2-3: Taos Ski Valley Up & Over Trail Run Weekend , Taos Ski Valley
August 16: Gloridays , Glorieta
Upper Pecos Watershed Association's (UPWA ) Water, Wildflowers & Trout Benefit
Celebrate a year of hard work and shared success, from river restoration and cleanup efforts to youth engagement and community stewardship. Join UPWA at Field Trip NM in Pecos on July 20 . Reserve your ticket by emailing upwa@pecoswatershed.org or call 505-757-3600.
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Free Webinar Series
July 24 : Building Personal Resilience in the Outdoors Profession
July 30: Guiding the Outdoor Recreation Workforce Through Change
Town of Red River Youth Boat Building and Races
Every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 AM–12:30 PM, through July 30 , kids 16 and under are invited to the Red River Community House to build, decorate, and name their own wooden boats, then race them down the Red River.
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.
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.
Cimarron Canyon State Park
Comanche, Lipan Apache, Ute, Jicarilla Apache, Puebloan lands
About the Park: Cimarron Canyon State Park stretches through a forested mountain canyon along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, where steep cliffs rise above the clear-flowing Cimarron River. This scenic stop offers peaceful campsites, stunning views, and cool, shaded trails.
Explore hiking and equestrian routes in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area, cast a line for trout in the river, or simply enjoy the quiet beauty of the canyon. The park is ideal for fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing near Eagle Nest.
Always practice leave no trace principles and plan ahead for your adventure.…