Trail Talks, Travel, and Springtime Connections
Dispatches from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | April 23, 2025
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 Coordinator
Greetings readers!
We hope you've been getting outside and soaking up the season’s blooms. Down in Las Cruces, the desert is coming to life with poppies, ocotillo, and claret cup cacti coloring the Chihuahuan Desert with vibrant blooms.
The ORD team has been on the move. Earlier this month, we traveled to Truth or Consequences for the first Rio Grande Trail Commission meeting in three years . Last week, Director Karina Armijo reconnected with state outdoor recreation partners as a member of the Confluence of States at the International Trails Summit in Madison, WI.
Coming up, I’ll be heading to Santa Fe for the Spring Runoff fundraiser at Santa Fe Brewing, stop by and say hello! Meanwhile, Program Coordinator Carl Colonius will travel to Kanab, Utah, to speak on a panel about e-bike policies at the Utah Trails Conference . Next week, he'll head to Albuquerque to participate in the Kerry Wood's USDA Trail Training. At the end of the month, Director Armijo will join Outdoor New Mexico in Red Rock Park for the 2025 Outdoor Economics Conference kick-off event.
These appearances aren’t just travel — they're an essential part of our mission. Meeting face-to-face with partners, learning from other states, and showing up for our communities strengthens our impact. It helps us bring back ideas, advocate for resources, and make sure New Mexico’s outdoor recreation voices are part of bigger conversations, locally and nationally.
We’re looking forward to connecting with even more partners and communities in the months ahead!
Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors,
Michelle Simon
Marketing Coordinator
In Other News
The battle against federal ownership of New Mexico’s public lands
New report outlines NM Search and Rescue incident details over a 10-year span
BLM says it will not do environmental impact statements for oil, gas in NM
Governor outlines why she vetoed proposed Slot Canyon state park
Scores of volunteers with AmeriCorps youth program let go after DOGE visit
Governor signs legislation to protect NM waters following SCOTUS decision
Border militarization: BLM transfers land in Southern New Mexico to Army
Get Involved
Santa Fe Brewing Co Spring Runoff
The Outdoor Recreation Division is proud to sponsor the Spring Runoff event! Join us at Santa Fe Brewing Co HQ on April 26 for live music, games, and to show your support for outdoor nonprofits dedicated to expanding access and protecting our outdoor spaces.
¡mira! Las Cruces
A free spring festival on April 26 that highlights the art, culture, cuisine, outdoor recreation, sights and sounds that make Las Cruces, NM and its surrounding communities one of a kind.
Earth Day Volunteer Opportunities and Community Events
April 25: Se ed to Tree, Mountain to River , Las Vegas
April 25-28: City Nature Challenge , Grant County
April 26: Pajarit o Environmental Education Center 25th Anniversary Earth Day Festiva l , Los Alamos, email nicole@peecnature.org to volunteer
April 26: Earth Day at La Mancha Wetlands , Las Cruces
April 26: Great American Cleanup , Las Cruces
April 26: Earth Day Cleanup , Pecos
April 26: Los Alamos Earth Day Festival , Los Alamos
April 26: C ommunity Earth Day at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge , Albuquerque May 3: Ca ja del Rio Volunteer Cleanup , Santa Fe
May 3-4: Trout Unlimited Willows and Wild Trout , Tres Piedras
Pecos Canyon Adopt-a-Site Volunteer Program
Pajarito Environmental Education Center Volunteer Program
New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors
Webinar: The Fight to Keep Public Lands in Public Hands
Join NM Wild on April 30 for a webinar to discuss the dire threat to public lands and how NM Wild is fighting back.
Friends of the Bosque del Apache Spring Migration Celebration
Head to the Bosque del Apache, May 2-4, to celebrate and learn about the amazing bird species that are spending the season here and enjoy guided birding ID field trips. Registration is required.
Rio Grande Trail Stakeholder Conversations
Join Pland Collaborative in Hatch on May 2 and in Mesilla on May 3 for conversations with stakeholders to discuss the development of the Rio Grande Trail system in Doña Ana County. For more information, read their latest newsletter .
Truth or Consequences 75th Anniversary Fiesta
Head to T or C, May 2-4, for a weekend full of festivities celebrating the 75th anniversary of "Hot Springs," New Mexico, changing its name to Truth or Consequences.
A Tale of Two Tails
Join Impact Outdoors on April 25 for a public event at Glenwood Community Park to celebrate community, conservation, and connection. Free dinner, live music, and opportunities to learn more about wild turkeys and biodiversity in the Gila Wilderness.
Smokey Bear Days
Head to Smokey Bear Historic Park in Capitan, NM, May 2-3, for family-friendly events, educational programming, and visits with Smokey Bear.
Bows In Burque
Join Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and community partners on May 3 for a youth-focused introduction to archery, casting, and animal tracks in Albuquerque.
No Man's Land Film Festival at CCA
Head to the Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe (CCA) on May 7 for the premier all-women + genderqueer adventure film festival, No Man’s Land Film Festival celebrates the full scope of athletes and adventurers by un-defining femininity in adventure, sport, conservation, and film.
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…