Outdoor Equity in Action: Get Involved & Get Outside

Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division

ORD Newsletter | June 18, 2025

Dispatches from New Mexico's

Outdoor Recreation Division

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Letter from the Marketing Coordinator

Greetings Outdoor Enthusiasts!

Earlier this month, our team traveled to Denver, CO, for the second annual Outside Summit & Festival , which drew a crowd of over 35,000 people. A sincere thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to chat about New Mexico’s incredible outdoor recreation opportunities and signed up for our newsletter. We're excited to keep the conversation going and share upcoming events, funding opportunities, and stories from the field with you.

In case you missed it, the recording of last week’s Outdoor Equity Fund info session is now live on our YouTube channel . You can also join us for our next session on July 15 at 5:30 p.m. — register here . If you have more detailed questions, schedule a one-on-one call with our grants coordinator, Evan Pilling.

Lastly, Juneteenth is tomorrow, June 19 , and we encourage you to get outside and celebrate the significance of this historical day. All National Park Service sites, national monuments, and national forests in New Mexico will offer free admission in honor of Juneteenth. This includes places like Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, Bandelier National Monument, and Petroglyph National Monument. Please be aware that there are active fires burning in the Gila National Forest/Wilderness and Lincoln National Forest. Visit nmfireinfo.com and app.watchduty.org for detailed information.

See you on the trails,

Michelle Simon

Marketing Coordinator

Outdoor Recreation Division

In Other News

Epic Occupations: Building the future of mountain biking in New Mexico

Outdoor Academy gets future fishers hooked

Governor declares emergency, secures federal resources for Trout Fire response

Las Cruces plans bike park to complement mountain trails

Pecos celebrates trout, tradition at children's fishing derby

Nominate your favorite trail for National Recreation Trail designation

Get Involved

Volunteer Opportunities

June 20-22: Albuquerque Wildlife Federation , Jemez Mountains

June 29: Magdalena Burro Stampede , Magdelena

June 21: Valles Caldera National Preserve Trail Work Day , Jemez Springs

July 11-3: Albuquerque Wildlife Federation , L-Bar Ranch near Laguna

August 15-17: XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon , Ruidoso, email: volunteer@xterraplanet.com

Ongoing volunteer opportunities at volunteer.gov

Ongoing volunteer opportunities with NM Volunteers for the Outdoors

Adaptive Sports Program NM (ASPNM) Rio Grande Rafting Trip

ASPNM is seeking adventurous athletes and volunteers to raft the Rio Grande on June 21 and 22 . Registration is required. Contact info@aspnm.org for questions.

Outdoor Adventure Day

Join NM Game & Fish for family fun at Sugarite Canyon State Park on June 21 . Learn how to shoot a bow and identify wildlife, and kids 12 and under can learn how to fish. Bring your own gear if possible.

Nominate Your True Hero

Shine a light on outstanding New Mexicans making a difference. Nominations for the New Mexico Magazine True Heroes Awards are open through June 30 . Ten winners will be honored in the December 2025 issue for service performed between July 2024 and June 2025 .

Upcoming Race Events

June 21: Roadrunner Half Marathon, 10k, 5k , Santa Rosa

July 3: Electric 5K , Las Cruces

July 5: Firecracker 5K , Clayton

July 18-19: Ruidoso Runfest , Ruidoso

July 19-20: 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest , Gallup

August 2-3: Taos Ski Valley Up & Over Trail Run Weekend , Taos Ski Valley

August 16: Gloridays , Glorieta

Sand Play Saturday in Railyard Park

Head to the Children's Play Area in the Santa Fe Railyard Park with your little ones every Saturday morning through August 30 (except for July 12 ) and enjoy exploration, connection and creative play.

Jeep & Off-Road Retreat

Join the Off-Road Outlaws for a family-friendly off-roading event in Carlsbad on June 21.

Outdoor Expo

Registration is open for outdoor recreation businesses and organizations to promote their services at the Outdoor Expo on June 28-29 at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe.

Town of Red River Youth Boat Building and Races

Every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 AM–12:30 PM, from June 4–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.

Flyfishing 101 for Veterans, Active Duty, and Families

Veterans, active duty, and families are invited to a free, day-long fly fishing clinic in Albuquerque on June 28 , hosted by Trout Unlimited Bosque Chapter and the Fly Vets. Email flynangler@gmail.com or call Jeff Harnell at 505-699-1577 to register.

Native Youth Summit

This two-day event empowers Native youth (ages 13–17) with leadership tools to rise as the next generation of changemakers. The 13th Annual Native Youth Summit will take place on July 11–12 . Registration is required.

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.

Oasis State Park

Ute and Puebloan Lands

About the Park: Just north of Portales, Oasis State Park offers a peaceful escape among cottonwood trees, rolling sand dunes, and a small fishing lake. This quiet spot is a favorite for fishing, birding, camping, and wildlife viewing.

Several easy hiking trails wind through the park’s dunes and native vegetation, providing scenic views and opportunities to spot a variety of birds and animals. The shady campground and picnic areas make it a great…