ORD Newsletter | October 7, 2026

Woman wearing a gray rock climbing helmet smiling with a granite crag behind her

Greetings outdoor enthusiasts,


Autumn is here, and the ORD team is excited to get outside as cooler temperatures make outdoor adventures even more inviting across New Mexico. 

 

Late last month, we announced $2.2 million in Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) awards supporting 54 programs across 20 counties. This round welcomed three new counties, 19 new organizations, and eight first-ever Tier 2 awards. We're thrilled to see OEF continuing to expand its reach and connect more than 17,000 New Mexico youth with outdoor activities like fly fishing, horseback riding, adaptive sports, cycling, conservation, stewardship and more. Read the press release here for the full list of recipients and details. 

 

In just a week, the ORD team will head to Ruidoso for the Outdoor Economics Conference. Stop by our table or catch one of us speaking on a panel. We always look forward to meeting folks in person and making new connections at the event. It's not to late to get tickets at www.outdooreconomics.com. 

 

We're also ramping up for Adventure Pitch Fest, a celebration of New Mexico's $3.6 billion outdoor recreation industry. Join us at the Albuquerque Rail Yards on Friday, November 6, from 4–8 p.m. to meet dozens of outdoor businesses and organizations from across the state, hang out with pack burros, grab a bite to eat and cheer on the high-energy pitch competition, where businesses will take the stage and compete for $15,000 in cash prizes. Get your free tickets at bit.ly/adventurepitchfest. 


See you on the trails!

Michelle Simon

Marketing Coordinator

Outdoor News

2025 Continental Divide Trail Community Survey Report


Catching bats and cultivating collaborations in the Santa Fe National Forest 


Fly fishing Taos: The Rio Grande had a bigger story to tell 


Help shape the future of motorized recreation in New Mexico: NMOHVA survey


Rapids response: Drought forces New Mexico rafting companies to adapt 


Like Gathering Cattle with a Butterfly Net

Get Outside

Closeup of yellow leaves with a sunbeam shining through
 

We've Moved Monthly Events to Our Website

Visit nmoutside.com/news to find ways to get outside and connect in our monthly "What's Happening Outdoors in New Mexico" posts.

Oct 14-16: Outdoor Economics Conference, Ruidoso 

Oct 17: New Mexico Fly Fishing Film Festival, Farmington

Oct 17: Día Del Rio, Albuquerque

Oct 17-18 Gordy Hicks Hare Scrambles, Socorro

Have an event you'd like to share? Email info to the ORD Marketing & Outreach Coordinator before the the first of the month at michelle.simon@edd.nm.gov

 

Featured Success Story

A group of school children smile and stand next to a ruins site

Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, Pueblo of Zuni

Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is connecting Native youth with their ancestral lands through outdoor experiences, cultural education and hands-on trail stewardship. Learn how support from ORD’s Outdoor Equity Fund and Trails+ Grant programs is helping young people build skills, explore careers and become future leaders in their community.

Outdoor Careers

 

Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, Communications Manager, Albuquerque

The Nature Conservancy, Associate Director of Development II and NM State Director, Santa Fe & Albuquerque 

NM Department of Wildlife, numerous careers, statewide

Albuquerque Open Space, Bosque Field Technician, Albuquerque 

Ski Taos, multiple seasonal jobs, Taos Ski Valley 

Glorieta Adventure Camps, numerous positions, Glorieta 

Conservation Corps NM, STEM Career Pathway Support Specialist, Silver City 

Bat Conservation International, Gila Agreements Project Coordinator, Silver City 

Santa Fe County, Planning Team Leader – Open Space, Santa Fe 

Amigos Bravos: Executive Director, Taos

NM Forest & Watershed Restoration Institute: Conservation Specialist, Las Vegas

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps: numerous jobs, statewide

Other Career Resources

State of New Mexico Jobs

Conservation Careers

New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's Workforce Hub

If you have outdoor recreation jobs you would like to add to share, email info to the ORD Marketing & Outreach Coordinator michelle.simon@edd.nm.gov.

 

Funding Opportunities

 

Community Forest & Open Space Conservation Program, Deadline: Oct 13 

GROW Community Grant Program, Letter of Interest Deadline: Oct 30

Walmart Spark Good Local Grants, Deadline: Nov 30 

The Frost Foundation, Deadline: Dec 1 

Western National Parks James E. Cook Nature's Classroom Grant, Deadline: Dec 11 

Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, Deadline: Dec 15, rolling 

Western National Parks Research Grants, Deadline: Dec 31 

Land & Water Conservation Fund, Deadline: Jan 5

Tribal Wildlife Funding, Deadline: Rolling 

Tribal Community Garden, Deadline: Rolling 

Visit nmmainstreet.org/resource/opportunities for more funding opportunities.

 

Explore New Mexico

Dinosaur foot print fossil filled with water

Clayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways State Park

Clayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways State Park blends wide-open grasslands, fishing and boating on Clayton Lake and one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in North America, with more than 500 preserved tracks. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, it’s also an exceptional spot for stargazing alongside its unique mix of outdoor recreation and ancient history. 

Business Hub

Business Resource of the Month:



"Common Unity" - Outdoor Recreation Business Networking Summit

Join NM outdoor recreation business owners, guides, outfitters, makers and industry leaders for a free gathering at Santa Fe Tree House Camp on Oct. 20-21 for networking, outdoor activities and opportunities to help shape the NM Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance 2027 Action Plan. RSVP required.

Silhouette of a person on a mountain bike atop a rocky formation

Business Spotlight:


Outdoor Adventures, Las Cruces

A Las Cruces bike shop offering a wide selection of bicycles, cycling gear and accessories, plus full-service repairs and expert support for riders of all levels and disciplines.

Read the latest NMORBA newsletter for information and opportunities curated just for outdoor business owners.

 

Let's be social! Follow @nmoutdoorrec

New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Logo

The mission of the Outdoor Recreation Division is to increase equitable access to the outdoors for all New Mexicans, ensuring healthy outcomes, environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.

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www.nmoutside.com

The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division is a division of Economic Development New Mexico