Outdoor Rec Supports 43 Youth Programs Statewide
OR division announces equity grants
Contact: Michelle Simon
Michelle.Simon@edd.nm.gov
(505) 439-2320
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 12, 2024
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Cabinet Secretary-Designate Rob Black Deputy Cabinet Secretary Isaac Romero
ORD Director Karina Armijo
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division announces $851,400 in grants to support youth outdoor programs
43 programs selected for Outdoor Equity Fund in communities across New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Economic Development Department’s (EDD) Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) proudly announces the award of $851,400 in grants to 43 organizations as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF). These grants will benefit programs across 15 counties and seven Tribal communities, enhancing youth access to outdoor activities statewide.
“Investing in these programs provides immediate benefits to youth and communities and also builds long-term economic opportunities in the outdoor recreation sector,” EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black said, “By empowering young people through these initiatives, we nurture New Mexico’s next generation of outdoor leaders and professionals.”
This year, ORD received a record-breaking 96 applications, with over $3 million in eligible requests, highlighting the expanding demand and impact of the OEF program. “The substantial increase in applications reflects both a growing need and the effectiveness of these programs,” ORD Director Karina Armijo said. “We’re thrilled to see more Tribal communities and organizations eager to create transformative outdoor opportunities for New Mexico’s youth.”
The funding is provided in part by the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, New Mexico’s first dedicated funding stream for land and water conservation and outdoor recreation. Additionally, awardees will contribute nearly $2 million in matching funds, further amplifying the impact of these programs and fostering economic growth and career pathways in outdoor recreation across the state.
More than half of the funded programs will serve rural and Tribal communities, providing access to outdoor recreation opportunities to many of our state’s youth for the first time.
“When students hop off the bus to begin a field trip at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, they often tell us that this is their first time ‘in the desert,’ despite most of them living within 10 miles of beautiful natural areas. We love opening their eyes to the wonder of this unique place and the scientists who are studying it,” Asombro Institute for Science Education Executive Director Stephanie Bestelmeyer reflected.
“We use fly fishing as a tool to help support foster children socially and emotionally. Many of the foster kids of New Mexico never get to experience fly fishing, nature, conservation, and not to mention tons of fun. Our team strives to share our passion with these kids so one day they can explore on their own using the knowledge we have instilled in them,” Kaileigh Cera, lead mentor of the Mayfly Project, shared.
"Children with medical complexity and disabilities and their families face many challenges in getting outdoors,” Jennifer Bartz, president of the Hero’s Palliative Care Board of Directors, said. “Our program offers the support they need to experience the joy and healing that nature brings in accessible spaces and motivates us to continue to expand through generous funding from the Outdoor Equity Fund."
ORD extends gratitude to the review committee, including professionals from the NM Public Education Department, NM Higher Education Department, and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, for their dedicated efforts in evaluating the large volume of applications.
“This year was incredibly competitive, with many organizations doing extraordinary work. We hope to better meet this increasing demand in the future.” ORD Deputy Director AJ Jones said.
FY25 Outdoor Equity Fund Award Recipients:
Adaptive Sports Program New Mexico ($17,572.50, Sandoval County): Offering an inclusive ski and snowboarding program for public school students with disabilities, ensuring all youth can be empowered through winter outdoor recreation opportunities.
Albuquerque Sign Language Academy ($7,500, Bernalillo County): The Outdoor Equity Fund program provides meaningful conservation services and outdoor activities that enable deaf, hard of hearing, and individual and developmentally disabled students to access the outdoors.
Amy Biehl High School ($7,500, Bernalillo County): The program will offer outdoor learning experiences focused on building social-emotional skills to enhance classroom lessons.
Animas Public Schools ($40,000, Hidalgo County): The Outdoor Education Program emphasizes place-based learning and environmental literacy by exposing youth to interrelated ecosystems; connecting them to NM’s natural wonders; and preparing them to be environmental leaders.
Asombro Institute for Science Education ($15,000, Doña Ana, Luna, Otero Counties): Science Discovery Field Trips will extend outdoor access to nearly 1,200 elementary students in southern New Mexico to foster stewardship and connections to local outdoor resources.
Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program ($10,000, Bernalillo County): They will expand a one-of-a-kind K-12 environmental monitoring program to track long-term ecosystem health in the Rio Grande Bosque to reach every 7th grader in Albuquerque.
Clovis Municipal Schools ($20,000, Curry County): Students in grades 3-12 will have an opportunity to experience the outdoors in eastern New Mexico through fishing, animal identification, and wildlife photography. Students will build and strengthen their skills and have the chance to connect career and technical skills with applications in the outdoors.
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions ($10,000, Bernalillo County): Spring and fall programming will provide partner schools and organizations with classroom sessions, day trips, and overnight…