ORD Centers Youth Voices and Outdoor Recreation Businesses

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | August 28, 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 Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

I’m excited to introduce myself as the newest team member at the Outdoor Recreation Division! My name is Michelle Simon, and I’m the division’s Marketing & Outreach Coordinator. I bring a deep passion for the outdoors and over a decade of marketing experience to ORD from various entrepreneurial endeavors and nonprofits focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m excited to use my diverse skillset to contribute to ORD's mission. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me exploring the bounty of trails in southern New Mexico and beyond.

Coming up on September 23-25, Outdoor New Mexico is hosting its annual Outdoor Economics Conference in my hometown, Las Cruces, NM. ORD is thrilled to participate in this year's conference by centering youth voices through sponsoring the Next Generation Youth panel organized by Nature Niños . The panel will feature young folks who are actively involved with organizations supported by our Outdoor Equity Fund and provide a fresh perspective on outdoor concepts and ideas for conference attendees. Do you know a young person who'd be a great panelist? Share the application with them!

ORD is also hosting our annual Adventure Pitch at the Outdoor Economics Conference on September 23. This will be an exciting opportunity for a selection of New Mexico-based small businesses in the outdoor recreation, wellness, and environmental sustainability sectors to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and win up to $10k. This will be our fourth year bringing a pitch competition to the conference.

We hope you'll join us for these exciting events and we look forward to spending time in Southern New Mexico.

Stay wild,

Michelle Simon

ORD Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

In Other News

The Governor's Conference for Economic Development

Join other esteemed economic development professionals, influential state and local government officials, visionary legislators, and forward-thinking business leaders. The Governor's Conference for Economic Development is back and promises to be an event of unparalleled significance. This diverse and dynamic audience creates a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and impactful discussions.

The goal for this year's conference is to build upon the tremendous success of the past and foster an environment where innovative ideas take root. Be a part of this exceptional event, seizing the opportunity to engage with the most influential voices in economic development. The conference will run from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, until 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 .

Register Now

Boosting Cibola's Economy Through Outdoor Recreation

"The Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce joined the Grants-Milan Rotary Club to invite the community and locally elected leaders to a luncheon featuring Megan Lawson, an outdoor recreation economist with Headwaters Economics. Her presentation highlighted ongoing efforts to position Cibola County as a premier outdoor recreation destination, leveraging local assets to boost the local economy."

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Inspiring Stewardship of NM's Lands, Water, and Cultural Heritage

"Protecting the landscapes we love — and ensuring equitable access to them — can help build strong communities and stave off the worst effects of climate change. There is widespread agreement among scientists and natural resource managers that enacting lasting protections for large swaths of diverse landscapes is a critical step toward ensuring the success of both nature and our communities in the decades to come."

Read the OpEd

Every Kid Outdoors

Starting in September, families with a 4th grader are eligible for free Every Kid Outdoors passes that permit up to three adults and all children under 16 to enter hundreds of national parks, forests, and waters at no cost. Fourth grade educators can also request passes for their entire class! Passes are valid from September 2024 through August 2025.

Learn More

Interior Department Provides $325 Million to Increase Access to the Outdoors

"$325 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Stateside Assistance Program is being distributed to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia – the largest annual distribution from the program since 1979. Investments from the LWCF are helping support the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative by funding locally led outdoor recreation and conservation projects that protect and enhance access to America’s great outdoors."

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Outdoor Economics Conference Coming to Las Cruces, NM

This conference will highlight successful community economic development efforts within and outside of New Mexico that are connected to protected lands and focus on the development of governmental policies and local entrepreneurship connected to these opportunities. The conference will actively involve the attendance of leaders across the state and elsewhere interested in developing and enhancing opportunities to grow our outdoor recreation economy.

ORD is proud to participate by once again bringing the Adventure Pitch to the conference on day one and by sponsoring the Next Gen Youth Panel with Nature Niños on the final day.

Register Here

Trail Highlight

Dripping Springs Trail

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Mescalero Apache, Tampachoa (Mansos), Piro lands

About the Trail: This three-mile out-and-back trail in Las Cruces is considered an easy route on loose gravel most of the way, with numerous benches along the way. It takes an average of 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete and is a very popular area for hiking,…