Unpacking the "plus" in Trails+ Grant
Updates from the NM Outdoor Recreation Division
ORD Newsletter | February 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 Outdoor Recreation Planner
The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division is currently accepting proposals for our Outdoor Recreation Trails+ grant program , which is dedicated to planning and building recreational infrastructure throughout New Mexico. Trails+ stimulates regional economic development, improves the quality of life for residents and visitors, promotes community health through supporting an active lifestyle, and increases access to the exceptional beauty of our state!
Naturally, Trails+ funds trail construction, planning, and maintenance. But what does the plus mean?
Uniquely, the Trails+ grant is creating outdoor classrooms at schools throughout New Mexico and reading gardens at your local library. Through this program, ORD has funded a motorized user group to replace fence gates with cattle guards to support multi-use recreational areas and decrease user conflict. Grants also funded new bathrooms next to San Juan College’s trail system in Farmington and the City of Carlsbad installed some very handsome shade structures in their Halagueno Arts Park — making it easier for folks to enjoy recreation in the park during hot months.
If a project helps connect New Mexicans to the outdoors, the Trails+ grant can likely support your vision.
Eligible applicants include Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations; municipalities; counties; nonprofits; public preschools/schools/districts; colleges/universities; soil and water conservation districts; and Acequia and land grant associations.
Funding is available now and we invite you to learn more about this exciting and impactful opportunity by downloading the Trails+ Grant Program Guide .
Want to learn more? Please contact me at (505) 570-7846 or email carl.colonius@edd.nm.gov . I hope you’ll join me on February 29, at 3 pm for a deep dive into the "plus" in Trails+.
Carl Colonius
Outdoor Recreation Planner
In Other News
Looking for the perfect Leap Day activity — join us to discover more about the "plus" in the Trails+ Grant!
Looking for the perfect Leap Day activity — join us to discover more about the "plus" in the Trails+ Grant!
Trails+ grant funding goes well beyond trail design and construction. On February 29 at 3 pm, Carl Colonius, Outdoor Recreation Planner, will empower you with the variety of ways ORD funding can benefit your community.
We invite you to bring your questions and curiosity. Advance questions may also be submitted to Donna M. Stumpf , Marketing & Business Outreach Coordinator, so that your inquiries can be built into the presentation.
Mark your calendars today and invite others to join on February 29, 3 pm—all are welcome.
Meeting ID: 217 218 594 391 | Passcode: 6m47XF
Join the Meeting
Permanent Funding for the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund
This year’s Legislative session ended with a historic note — the passing of Senate Bill 9 — allocating $300 million for the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund. The fund creates the state’s first-ever dedicated source of recurring funding for conservation, prioritizing land and water stewardship, forest and watershed health, outdoor recreation and infrastructure, agriculture and working lands, historic preservation, and wildlife species protection.
The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund is the product of five years of collaboration among a broad and bipartisan coalition of legislators, state agencies, community stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations. We profoundly thank Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for introducing SB 9, along with sponsors Senator Peter Wirth, Senator Steven Neville, and Rep. Nathan Small, and look forward to sharing the impacts of this historic bill.
Read Senate Bill 9
Trail Days Returns to Silver City
Organizations of the greater Gila Region will host their annual Trail Days in Silver City, April 19-21, 2024. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) and partners are planning the weekend in connection with Gila Earth Day as a celebration of the landscape and communities that surround the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT). The two-and-a-half-day event boasts speakers, activities, and a festival, and showcases local and regional partnerships.
The weekend highlight is Saturday’s Gila Earth Day Festival at Gough Park, where 100+ vendors will gather for family-friendly activities. Community hikes will be hosted in collaboration with Heart of the Gila on Sunday, providing an opportunity for the community to connect on the trail.
The event also kicks off the hiking season for northbound CDT hikers attempting to traverse the 3,100-mile-long Continental Divide or sections of it. The trek to Silver City from the Mexico border for Trail Days acts as a celebration of the first completed segment for northbound hikers aiming to complete the CDT.
Learn More About Trail Days
Gila National Forest celebrates 100 years of Gila Wilderness in 2024
On June 3, 1924, the Gila Wilderness became the world’s first designated Wilderness. The Gila National Forest kicks off 2024 in celebration of its 100th anniversary, to include events and observations honoring all that is wilderness.
Celebrations will take place from February - October, with the main event, the Gila Wilderness Centennial Week , taking place from May 27 - June 3 in Silver City and Bayard. Events will include a speaker series, family-friendly celebrations at Gough Park, a film screening from NMSU’s Gila Film School, art, music, primitive skills demonstrations, and a cross-cutting competition.
Gila Event Calendar
Trail Highlight
Be sure to tag @NMOutdoorRec when you get #NMOutside
Gomez Peak
Silver City, New Mexico
Chiricahua Apache land
Trail…