Sugarite Canyon State Park (ENMRD)
2025-05-16 08:00 - 2025-05-18 12:00 (America/Denver)
RESULTS: Twelve NMVFO volunteers cleared brush, grass, and deadfall trees from 2.5 miles of the Wapiti Trail and 1.8 miles of the Opportunity Trail at Sugarite Canyon State Park in northern New Mexico on a three-day car camping project. Besides improving the trails, volunteers sighted elk, deer, osprey, and a bear and enjoyed the scenic views and spring flowers.

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Description: Join NMVFO on a car-camping project to improve a hiking trail at Sugarite Canyon State Park in northern New Mexico at a cool 7,200 feet. We will be clearing trees, brush, and grasses and improving drainage from the 2.3-mile Wapiti Trail near Lake Maloya and clearing willows from the shoreline around Lake Maloya angling areas.
Sugarite Canyon State Park was once a coal mine/coal town right on the Colorado border. It offers interpretive trails of the coal town ruins, great hiking trails, and two lakes to fish in.
Camp staff will provide a presentation on wildlife within the park and water resource scarcity in the canyon at dinner one evening.
Volunteers will camp at the Valve Tender’s Group Campground and need to provide their own recreational vehicle or camping gear including tent, sleeping bag and pad, camp chair, headlamp, etc., plus a cooler/beverages, if desired. We recommend that you wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hiking boots, work gloves, protective eyewear (sunglasses OK) and a sun/rain hat while working. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, rain gear, and a full day’s supply of water. All tools will be provided.
NMVFO cooks will provide breakfast on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning and dinner on Friday and Saturday evening; volunteers will need to provide their own lunches and snacks. Chemical toilets will be provided by the park.
While the Project starts at 8:00 am on Friday, May 16th, you can join us Thursday evening (dinner will not be provided), Friday morning or evening, or Saturday morning. Please join us by 5:00 pm on Friday evening if you would like dinner. Join us by 7:00 am on Saturday morning if you would like breakfast. Just let us know what your plans are by contacting the project leader by email or phone.
The project will end at about 12:00 pm on Sunday, May 18th.
Meet at: Sugarite Canyon State Park; Coordinates 36.95522, -104.38739
How to find us: Look for short green NMVFO signs on NM Highway 540 and on HIghway 526 within the park.
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up by May 13th. One person per signup.
Difficulty:
Group Size: 20. If the project becomes full, please add your name to the waitlist, and we will contact you if a spot opens up.
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect Volunteer FAQs or call/email the project leader.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Six Mile Canyon Trail (Magdalena RD)
2025-05-17 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: 21 Volunteers cleared dead-fall and overgrowth on the Six Mile Canyon Trail in the Magdalena Mountains.

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Description: Join us for some needed maintenance on the Six Mile Canyon Trail in the Magdalena Mountains West of Socorro. We will focus on clearing downed trees and cutting back overgrowth that is obscuring the tread of the trail, starting where we left off last year. The work will require several miles of hiking at altitude. For this reason, we will rate this project as difficult.
We will meet 8AM Saturday at the Water Canyon Campground which is approximately a 90 minute drive from the south side of Albuquerque, and then carpool up.
We have reserved the group site at the campground on Friday, for those of you who want to camp the night before, but meals will NOT be provided, so bring your own dinner and breakfast please.
There will be a limit of 20 people on this project. Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes, long pants, eye protection, gloves, and bring gear for rain. Please note that pets are not allowed on this project.
Difficulty:
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Black Range Backpack CANCELED
2025-05-19 08:00 - 2025-05-22 14:30
Sorry, the Black Range Backpack has been canceled/postponed due to climate conditions and fire danger.
Description: Join us for lots of brushing, and some logging/tread west and north of Emory Pass, including Gallinas #129, Railroad #128 and Crest #79. We will meet at Railroad Campground and hike to base camp 4.25 miles away. Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 6.0 miles each day. Refer to the trail map.
Food: Gila BCH homemade vacuum sealed meals (breakfasts and dinners) will be available for this project. We can accommodate meat eaters, vegetarians, and some gluten free diets. But you can also bring your own breakfasts and dinners if you prefer. Everyone will need to provide their own lunches and snacks. Water: Please bring water for the backpack to base camp. We will provide jugs of water at base camp. There is no water on the trail where we will work, so bring a 3-quart water capacity. We will provide: Tools, hard hats, trail and safety training, project supervision, and first aid kit with Wilderness First Responder trained personnel.
Please see the BCH website description for a packing list and more information! Sign up below by Wednesday May 14.
Difficulty:
Group Size: up to 7

Petroglyph National Monument (NPS)
2025-05-23 08:30 - 16:00
RESULTS: Fourteen NMVFO volunteers improved the native plant garden and surrounding areas of the Information Center of the Petroglyph National Monument in western Albuquerque. They removed dead plants, pruned live plants, removed piled up tumbleweeds, and hoed live tumbleweeds.

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Description: Join NMVFO as we improve the area around the Information Center of the Petroglyph National Monument in western Albuquerque. We’ll be trimming and pruning native plants and removing invasive and dead plants including dead tumbleweeds that have piled up. The areas we’ll be working in are different from the areas we improved last year. All tools will be provided.
We suggest that you wear boots, long pants, long sleeves, work gloves, hats, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring your lunch, snacks, sunblock, and rain gear (if rain is expected), and water.
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up below. The closing date for signups is May 21, 2025.
Difficulty:
Group size: Up to 20
Meet at: Visitor Information Center, Petroglyph National Monument, 6510 Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq or email the project leader.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

New Canyon & Trigo Sign ADD-ON (Mountainair RD)
2025-05-30 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: During a Friday project, Don, Uwe, Jamie, and Phyllis put up a wilderness sign on New Canyon Trail in the Manzano Mountains. Moving on to the Manzano Crest, the crew made a post and installed a sign at the intersection of Manzano Crest Trail and Trigo Trail and reinforced the sign at the intersection of Manzano Crest Trail and New Canyon Trail.

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What is an add-on? These are our small impromptu projects, often mid-week, not on our published schedule. If you have attended many projects, you may be invited. Or reach out to the project leader if you are interested.

Saddleback Trail (SFNF)
2025-05-31 08:00 - 16:30
Description: Join NMVFO and the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society on a one-day project to improve the tread of the Saddleback Trail (#232) in the Santa Fe National Forest. The Saddleback Trail has been damaged by years of use. We will reshape the trail tread to improve drainage from the trail using pick/mattocks and McLeod hoes. We will also do some light lopping and limbing to cut back brush and tree limbs that are encroaching onto the trail. All tools will be provided.
Since parking is limited at the Juan Trailhead which leads to the Saddleback Trail, we will meet at the Sierra del Norte Trailhead at Coordinates 35.71094, -105.89943 at 8:00 am then carpool 1.8 miles to the Juan Trailhead at Coordinates 35.72597, -105.88721.
US Forest Service rules require all volunteers to wear boots, long pants, long sleeves, hard hats (provided), work gloves, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, rain gear, and a full-day’s supply of water.
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up below. The closing date for signups is May 28th, 5:00 pm
Difficulty:
Group size: Up to 15
Meet at: Meet at: Sierra del Norte Trailhead, Coordinates, 35.71094, -105.89943
How to find us: Look for the green NMVFO sign along NM 475.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Canjilon Creek Restoration (Carson NF)
2025-05-31 09:00 - 16:00
RESULTS: NMVFO worked on water control structures in the headwaters of Canjilon Creek with Chama Peak Land Alliance and Steve Vrooman of Keystone Restoration Ecology. The work serves to increase water flows and retention within the drainage system.

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Description: NMVFO will partner with Chama Peak Land Alliance and Steve Vrooman at Keystone Restoration Ecology, with additional funding by NMED River Stewardship, to help restore a wetland area that feeds into Canjilon Creek, near Canjilon NM. The site is close to a road and can be accessed with a short hike.
More info about meeting location to follow, for those who sign up. Hope you can join us!
Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes (no sandals), long pants, hat, eye protection, gloves, and your daypack should include water, a sack lunch, and gear for rain. Pets are not allowed on projects.
Please sign up below by Wednesday, May 28. One person per signup.
Difficulty:
Group Size: 15
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Quarai Spanish Corral Trail (Salinas Pueblo Missions NM)
2025-06-07 08:30 - 16:00
RESULTS: Sixteen NMVFO volunteers and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument staff celebrated National Trails Day at the Quarai site. We rehabilitated the Spanish Corral Trail. NMVFO crews originally built this one mile loop trail in 1996. This year, we added wood chips to improve the tread. The trail is classified as “primitive,” so we did not widen the corridor. The purpose of the chips is to absorb moisture from the local “gumbo” soil to prevent hikers from making multiple paths to avoid muddy sections. After we completed the project work, Natalia Sanchez-Hernandez, Chief of Interpretation, gave us a tour of the site and explained Quarai’s rich Native American and Spanish history.

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Description: Join NMVFO and the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Staff on June 7th for National Trails Day 2025. The National Monument is a complex of three pueblo and Spanish mission sites located near Mountainair, NM. The Quarai site is located about 8 miles north of Mountainair, at about 6650 feet. Quarai encompasses the archaeological remains of prehistoric Native American settlements, historic remains of a pueblo that was abandoned in the 1670s, the ruins of a 17th-century Spanish mission compound, and 19th-century Spanish ranching artifacts. For this project, we will improve the one mile Spanish Corral Loop Trail by adding wood chips to the tread, trim back brush, and improve drainage. We will meet in the Quarai Visitor Center parking lot at 8:30 AM to sign in, review the planned work, and conduct a safety briefing.
Volunteers must wear sturdy boots (preferred) or shoes (no sandals), long pants, eye protection, and work gloves. Long sleeve shirts are required for brushing. Bring a hat, sun protection, and other apparel appropriate for the predicted weather. Also bring a day pack with water, snacks, lunch, and other necessities. We plan to finish work by 4:00 pm.
Directions: From Albuquerque, drive east on I-40, exit at Tijeras (Exit 175). Proceed south on Hwy 337 (old South 14) through Chilili. At the intersection with Hwy 55, turn west and proceed on Hwy 55 through Tajique, Torreon and Manzano. Approximately 5 miles south Manzano, just as you enter the village of Punta de Agua, turn west on County Rd B076 and proceed to Quarai Site Visitor Center parking. The estimated driving time from the Big I is approximately 1.5 hours, so plan accordingly. Please be there a little before 8:30 AM. If coming from the South (Socorro, etc.) contact the Project Leader for directions as needed.
To sign up: Click on the button below and fill out the contact information. If the project is full, you can ask to be put on a wait list.
Difficulty:
To sign up: Click on the button below and fill out the contact information. If the project is full, you can ask to be put on a wait list.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Salas Trail ADD-ON (Mountainair RD)
2025-06-08 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: On a beautiful Sunday, eight NMVFO volunteers cleared downed trees on the Manzano Crest Trail south of the intersection with Red Canyon Trail and re-planted the Salas Trail sign. The volunteers then removed all of the deadfall to the bottom of the first set of switchbacks along Salas Trail.

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What is an add-on? These are our small impromptu projects, often mid-week, not on our published schedule. If you have attended many projects, you may be invited. Or reach out to the project leader if you are interested.

Beatty’s Trail Full/WAITLIST (SFNF)
2025-06-14 08:00 - 2025-06-15 14:00
RESULTS: On June 14-15, Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos/Las Vegas RD, 17 NMVFO volunteers conducted maintenance on the initial 2.1 miles of the popular Beatty’s Trail out of the Jack’s Creek Trailhead. 12 logs were removed, significant portions of the trail were bench-cut and outslope angle corrected, two steel drainage culverts were cleared. Stone steps were set in two badly-eroded/incised climbing turns to help control erosion. New grade-reversals were set both immediately above and below three of the four climbing turns on Beatty’s to remove runoff and combat further incision. Numerous other grade-reversals and/or drains were constructed where appropriate. A total of approx. 40 of these were installed within the project area. Finally, the trail within our project area was cleared of obstructing brush using the 6’ X 8’ USFS standard.

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If this project is full, please contact the project leaders to be placed on a waitlist.
Description: Join us for a car-camping weekend at Jack’s Creek Group Camp Sites A and B, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. At 9,000 feet elevation, Jack’s Creek is the northern-most and highest campground in the Pecos Canyon, providing fine views to the South and West. The road to the camp is paved throughout. Volunteers wishing to arrive early may do so, the camp will be open Friday evening, June 13. The camp is provided with tables, fire rings, and a composting toilet. Nights will be chilly, so bring warm clothes and some firewood if you have it. Remember that folding chair!
Work: Our work will focus on clearing the trailhead of brush, and improving the first two miles of Beatty’s Trail, FT25. Bench-cutting will address a “trail-creep” problem on the trail, we’ll improve the tread as well, and install grade-reversals (also known as “rolling dips”) where needed. As such, this project will involve some brushing with loppers, but will mostly focus on modifying the trail tread with McLeods and pick-mattocks.
Food: Our cook team will provide a light meal or snacks on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and supper on Saturday night. Volunteers should bring their own snacks and lunch materials, as well as beverages of their choice and a cooler.
Water: Due to maintenance issues, this will be a dry camp. NMVFO will provide some water for camp, but volunteers should be prepared with your own extra water for the weekend.
Tools/Equipment/Clothing: NMVFO will provide all tools needed and hard hats, which are required on this project. Participants should wear sturdy boots (no sandals or light shoes), long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hat, eye protection (sunglasses are fine), gloves, daypack with plenty of room for water, sunblock, and bring gear for rain.
Difficulty: for treadwork and 1,000 ft elevation gain on trail.
Group Size: Up to 15, plus 2 cooks
Please remember that while we love our pets, they are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
If the project is full, please contact the project leaders to be put on a waitlist.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Adopt-a-Trail (Carson NF)
2025-06-21 09:00 - 2025-06-22 14:00
RESULTS: Cleared 3.3 miles of Trail #25 of all blowdowns, lopped and cleared blowdowns on Trail #24, and built a wetland crossing structure to span a muddy area.

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Description: Come join us for our returning project on NMVFO’s adopted trail, Middle Fork 24 on the Camino Real Ranger District. We will begin work at 9AM Saturday morning from our group campsite, but you are welcome to join us anytime Friday after 2PM for camping and dinner at a local restaurant in Peñasco. Our adopted section takes us roughly two miles south along the Rio Santa Barbara from the campground. We’ll remove downed trees, brush back encroaching vegetation and focus significantly on improving drainage and address erosion issues along the trail. Tools and hard hats will be provided.
This year there will be two groups of people working in Carson. A backpacking group and a car camping group. Please see the details below:
Backpacking Group

Friday: Hike in and camp at the last meadow before No Fish Lake.
Saturday: Clear blowdowns from the upper end of the West Fork Trail (last creek crossing up the switchbacks). In the evening, hike back down to rejoin and have dinner with the car camping group.
Sunday: Work with the full group on the Middle Fork 24 Trail.
Meals Provided: Saturday dinner & Sunday breakfast.

Car Camping Group

Friday: Meet for dinner at a local restaurant, then camp at the campground.
Saturday: Work on the Middle Fork 24 Trail, clearing blowdowns, brushing back vegetation, and improving drainage.
Sunday: Continue working on the Middle Fork 24 Trail with the full group.
Meals Provided: Saturday & Sunday breakfast, Saturday dinner.

Both Groups

Saturday Night: Join together for dinner and camp at the trailhead.
Sunday: Work on the Middle Fork 24 Trail before wrapping up.

Required gear: sturdy boots, work gloves, long sleeves, long pants, eye protection (sunglasses okay). Please also bring a day pack, snacks, trail lunch, sunblock, rain gear, and plenty of water for each work day. We’ll plan for a long day on Saturday, ending at around 4:00. On Sunday we’ll plan to be heading out by 2PM.
For camping, feel free to bring a cooler for beverages (adult or other). A camp chair is also a good idea. Nights could be chilly and rain is possible, so come prepared!
The Santa Barbara Campground has pit toilets. It’s a nice campground, and our adopted section of trail is very pleasant, in sight of the Rio Santa Barbara for most of its length. Hope to see you there!
Difficulty:
Group Size: up to 15. Please sign up by June 15.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Salinas Pueblo Missions Wall Stabilization CANCELED (NPS)
2025-06-28 08:30 - 16:00
Description: Join NMVFO and the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Staff on June 28, 2025. The National Monument is a complex of three pueblo and Spanish mission sites located near Mountainair, NM. The sites encompass the archaeological remains of prehistoric Native American settlements, historic remains of a pueblos that were abandoned in the 1670s, the ruins of 17th-century Spanish mission compounds, and 19th-century Spanish ranching artifacts. For this project, we will preserve and stabilize ruin walls at either Abo or Quarai. The final work location will be determined at a latter date. We will meet in the Visitor Center parking lot a little before 8:30 AM to sign in, review the planned work, and conduct a safety briefing.
Volunteers must wear sturdy boots (preferred) or shoes (no sandals), long pants, eye protection, and work gloves. Long sleeve shirts are preferred. Bring a hat, sun protection, and other apparel appropriate for the predicted weather. Also bring a day pack with water, snacks, lunch, and other necessities. We plan to finish work by 4:00 pm.
Directions: Directions to the project site will be provided by the Project Leader at a latter date. Please be there a little before 8:30 AM.
To sign up: Click on the button below and fill out the contact information. If the project is full, you can email the project leader to be put on a wait list.
Difficulty:

North Baldy Trail (Magdalena RD)
2025-06-28 08:30 - 17:00
RESULTS: 11 Volunteers worked on the North Baldy Trail and Hop Canyon Trail in the Magdalena Mountains. A total of three miles of trail was improved.

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Description: Join us for some needed maintenance on the North BaldyTrail #8 in the Magdalena Mountains West of Socorro. We will focus on clearing downed trees and cutting back overgrowth that is obscuring the tread. If you have a grudge against Gambel Oak, this is the project for you. The work will require several miles of hiking at altitude. For this reason, we will rate this project as difficult.
We will meet 8:30AM Saturday at the Hop Canyon Trailhead, which is approximately a 100 minute drive from the south side of Albuquerque.
We have reserved the group site at the Water Canyon Campground on Friday, for those of you who want to camp the night before, but meals will NOT be provided, so bring your own dinner and breakfast please.
There will be a limit of 20 people on this project. Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes, long pants, eye protection, gloves, and bring gear for rain. Please note that pets are not allowed on this project.
Difficulty:
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Mountainair FSYC ADD-ON (Mountainair RD)
2025-07-01 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: Two people from NMVFO and 5 from Forest Stewards Youth Corps stabilized signs along Capilla Peak road and put up a new sign at New Canyon Trailhead. They also cut a few trees on the Crest Trail just south of Capilla Peak.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Manzano Weekday Lopping ADD-ON (Mountainair RD)
2025-07-02 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: Eight volunteers finished the lopping and downfall removal on the Manzano Crest Trail between Cerro Blanco Trail and Bosque Trail. The entire loop from 4th of July Canyon to Cerro Blanco, Manzano Crest Trail and Bosque Trail is now free of downfall and brush.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Potato Canyon (Magdalena RD)
2025-07-11 17:00 - 2025-07-13 14:00
RESULTS: 15 volunteers cleared blowdowns and lopped 1.1 miles of Potato Trail switchbacks.

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Description: In the Withington Wilderness, 30 miles southwest of Magdalena, one used to be able to descend from Forest Road 330 down well-engineered broad switchbacks on Potato Trail #38, later following a stream and riparian area. The length of the trail is over 5 miles, spanning the full width of the wilderness, starting at 9755 feet elevation, and descending to 6937 feet. After the 2016 North Fire, this area burned, many blowdowns and high erosion followed, and the trail has not been repaired since. Downed trees make it difficult or impossible to find the switchbacks, and since no one is able to walk on the actual trail, the tread is vanishing.
We will car-camp at the top (or at a location to be determined), and work on the switchback area, clearing trees, lopping, and possibly repairing tread. Since Potato Trail is part of the Grand Enchantment Trail, thru-hikers will appreciated the improvements we make.
Come Friday evening and camp out, or show up Saturday morning at 8AM, ready to work. If you can only come out and work one day, you are still welcome, but tell the project leader your plans in advance.
We will provide food on Friday dinner through to Sunday breakfast, but you need to bring your own lunches. There will be a limit of 15 people (since this is a wilderness area). Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes (no sandals), long pants, hat, eye protection, gloves, day pack, and bring gear for rain. Bringing your own camp chair is a good idea.
Pets are not allowed on projects, sorry.
Difficulty:
Group Size: Up to 15.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Valle de Oro RMYC Tijeras BioZone ADD-ON
2025-07-14 12:00 - 2025-07-17 17:00
RESULTS: The Valle de Oro Rocky Mountain Youth Corp (RMYC) crew and volunteers from NMVFO worked for three days with Albuquerque Open Space staff at the Tijeras BioZone. Open Space staff provided hands-on trail construction and rock work training to the RMYC crew. The group built a section of new trail, constructed a rock retaining wall, constructed numerous drain dips, and performed trail maintenance to clean up debris from a major Tijeras Arroyo flood event that occurred on July 12, 2025. Prior to the field work, on July 14, Laurie Lacey and Jim Sells, NMVFO volunteers, presented a tutorial on Trail Building & Maintenance, an overview of NMVFO, and a Long Distance Hiking presentation to the RMYC crew. During the project, Jim Sattler, ABQ Open Space, briefed the crew on the extensive history of Tijeras Canyon. The collaboration of Open Space, Valle de Oro staff, and NMVFO volunteers made this project a success and is greatly appreciated.
NOTE: As shown in some of the project pictures, The National Weather Service called the July 12th storm a 200-to-500-year event. The Tijeras area received up to 3 inches of rain and hail in a half hour. Floodwaters rose over 9 feet in a 15-minute period.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Petroglyph National Monument – Save the Cacti!
2025-07-18 08:00 - 16:00
RESULTS: Five NMVFO volunteers planted approximately 50 cholla, prickly pear, and barrel cacti to block a social trail at the Petroglyph National Monument. The cacti had been harvested from a land parcel that was being graded (bulldozed) in preparation for the development of a housing complex near the Monument.

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Description: Come help us save the cacti! Pulte Homes is going to develop a neighborhood near the south end of the Monument. They are offering the Monument an opportunity to harvest the cacti (mostly barrel and hedgehog cactus) on the property before they bulldoze it. Please join us on Friday, July 18th at the Monument Visitor Center at 8:00 am. We’ll be digging cacti from the ground and/or planting them on the Monument.
We’ll work until it’s too hot or we’re tired out.
We suggest that you wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, work gloves, sunhat, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Knee pads would be helpful. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, water, and rain gear (if rain is expected).
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up below. The closing date for signups is July 16th, 2025.
Difficulty:
Group size: Up to 20
Meet at: Visitor Information Center, Petroglyph National Monument, 6510 Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Holy Ghost Add-On
2025-07-18 08:00 - 2025-07-19 17:00
RESULTS: 7 NMVFO volunteers completed logging the entirety of the Holy Ghost trail, from its trailhead at Holy Ghost Campground to its junction with the Winsor Trail, a 5 mile stretch with an approximate 2000′ elevation gain. 30 deadfall trees were removed in clearing the trail.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Mountainair FSYC ADD-ON
2025-07-22 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: Two NMVFO volunteers and 5 members of the Forest Stewards Youth Corps put up signs and cut one tree on lower Kayser Mill Trail in the Manzano Mountains

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Ox Canyon ADD-ON
2025-07-23 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: A team of four volunteers spent a full midweek-day on the 3.5-mile Ox Canyon Trail in the Manzano Mountains, erecting a new post and wilderness portal sign, removing more than 20 trees and lopping the overgrown sections of this beautiful trail.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Thirst for the Outdoors
2025-08-09 12:00 - 15:00
RESULTS: NMVFO returned to the “Thirst for the Outdoors” tabling event at Canteen Brewhouse on Aztec, with our crosscut saw demonstration. Thank you Bill, David B, Christy, Catlin, Russ, Jim S, and Don & Deb. We signed up folks for the newsletter, and connected with potential partners at other tables.

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Join NMVFO and Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd NE, Albuquerque) for the 3rd annual Thirst for the Outdoors Adventure Fair.
Some of the organizations you can meet:
Albuquerque Mountain RescueContinental Divide Trail CoalitionFeral AdventuresNew Mexico Department of Game and FishNew Mexico Volunteers for the OutdoorsNew Mexico WildStone Age Climbing GymRoutes Bicycle ToursRunning 505USA SUP
NMVFO will present our popular 2-person crosscut saw demonstration.

If you would like to volunteer to help staff our booth, please email the project leader. Or just come and chat with us, and several other outdoor organizations, and perhaps quaff a brew. See you there.

Yet Another Manzano Crest Lopping ADD-ON
2025-08-12 09:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: Ten experienced volunteers cleared 25 smaller and 5 larger trees on the Trail Canyon and Manzano Crest Trails in the Manzano Mountains while gaining almost 2,000 feet of elevation on the way to the actual work site for lopping a remote section of the Manzano Crest Trail.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.

Juan Tomas (ABQ Open Space)
2025-08-16 08:30 - 14:00
RESULTS: Twenty-three NMVFO volunteers joined four Open Space Division personnel to continue improving the trail network in this popular hiking, biking, and equestrian area. Dividing into three groups, they closed 600 feet of an eroding social trail, performed maintenance on 900 feet of an alternate connecting trail, and constructed 530 feet of new trail for re-routing a section of the existing trail in the future.

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Description: Albuquerque’s Open Space Division maintains five areas on the east side of the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. The largest of these is the Juan Tomas Open Space, which encompasses 1,290 acres of primarily pinon-juniper and ponderosa forest growing at elevations up to 7,760 feet. Join us as we continue building a new trail to eventually replace an old eroded route. The work area will be about a mile hike across level terrain from the parking lot. An Open Space crew will have already marked the new trail corridor with pin flags and chain-sawed any large trees. Using pick mattocks, McLeods, Pulaskis, loppers, hand saws, and shovels, we will clear out smaller vegetation and excavate a smooth well-drained tread for hikers, mountain bikes, and occasional horses. We may also build some rock retaining walls if needed.
Preparations: Wear long pants, sturdy boots or work shoes (no soft shoes or sandals), sun glasses, or other eye protection. We’ll be working in only partial shade, so wear a hat and put on some sunscreen. Bring work or gardening gloves if you have them; otherwise, loaners will be available. Also bring a day pack with plenty of water or other drinks, snacks or light lunch, and a rain jacket or poncho (especially if the monsoon season will be active).
Directions: From Albuquerque, take the Tijeras exit (#175) from I-40 and drive south on Highway 337 for 9 miles (bypassing Juan Tomas Road, which leads to a village). Turn east (left) on Oak Flat Road and continue about 3 miles (past a dirt parking area with a gate) and turn into the next gravel parking lot on the left side of the road as shown in this satellite view. Please try to arrive No Later Than 8:30 AM. There will be two rosters to sign: one for the Open Space Division and other for NMVFO.
Difficulty:
Group Size: 20. If the project is full, please email the project leader to be put on a wait list.
Cost: Free!
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Capulin Trail Backpack (SFNF)
2025-08-21 09:00 - 2025-08-24 16:00
RESULTS: Thirteen NMVFO volunteers along with two members of the Santa Fe National Forest Trail Crew cleared 42 deadfalls on 5.3 miles of the Borrego Trail and 181 deadfalls on 3.4 miles of the Capulin Trail! The volunteers also constructed four cairns and closed four social trails to make the Capulin Trail easier to follow and lopped 1.4 miles of the Borrego Trail to make passage easier. The project was supported and fed by two volunteers of the Backcountry Horsemen of America who used three pack mules, a riding mule , and a riding horse to bring in some of the tools, the food, a large shelter, and the cooking equipment.

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Description: Join us on a four-day backpacking project to clear downed trees on the Borrego (#150) and Capulin Trail (#158) in the Pecos Wilderness. The Capulin Trail was hard hit in the Pacheco fire, and it has almost disappeared over the years. Back Country Horsemen of America will pack in our tools and prepare breakfasts and dinners for us. We will be hiking about 5.3 miles from the Aspen Ranch trailhead at GPS Coordinates 35.79832, -105.83347 to a base camp at Canada Vaca (aka Rancho Viejo depending on which map you’re using) at GPS Coordinates 35.85428, -105.82362
While the project starts on Thursday, August 21st, you are welcome to join us on Friday or Saturday and spend as much time working with us as you can.
All tools will be provided. We will be using one- and two-person crosscut saws, pruning saws, and loppers. USFS rules require all volunteers to wear ankle-high boots, long pants, long sleeves, hard hats (provided), work gloves, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, rain gear, and a full day’s supply of water.
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up below. Closing date for signups is August 18th, 2025
Difficulty: +
Group size: Up to 15
Meet at: Aspen Ranch Trailhead, GPS Coordinates 35.79832, -105.83347
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Water Canyon Nature Trail (Magdalena RD)
2025-08-23 08:00 - 16:00
RESULTS: Volunteers brushed and rehabilitated a nature trail near the Water Canyon picnic area, in the Magdalenas

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Description: Join us for some needed maintenance on the Water Canyon Nature Trail in the Magdalena Mountains West of Socorro. We will focus on cutting back overgrowth that is obscuring the tread of the trail along a lush riparian area.
We will meet 8AM Saturday at the Water Canyon Campground which is approximately a 90 minute drive from the south side of Albuquerque, and
We have reserved the group site at the campground on Friday, for those of you who want to camp the night before, but meals will NOT be provided, so bring your own dinner and breakfast please.
There will be a limit of 20 people on this project. Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes, long pants, eye protection, gloves, and bring gear for rain. Bring your own pack lunch. NMVFO will provide all tools as required. Please note that pets are not allowed on this project.
Difficulty:
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Santa Ana Pueblo Environmental Fair
2025-08-23 10:00 - 14:00
NMVFO has been invited to the 24th annual Santa Ana Pueblo Environmental Fair, at the Tamaya Wellness Center, from 10AM to 2PM. Join us, and meet with several other outdoor organizations.
Just as in past years, admission to the fair will be totally free, with each attendee receiving one meal voucher, one raffle entry, and one door item.
If you would like to help staff our table, please email c.herrera@nmvfo.org.

Limestone Canyon (Magdalena RD)
2025-08-29 18:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00
RESULTS: 6 NMVFO volunteers and 2 USFS staff joined Albuquerque Wildlife Federation to build one-rock dams, beaver dam analogs, and baffles in Limestone Canyon, to slow down water, capture sediment, and induce more bends in the drainage channel, with the long term goal of re-wetting the meadow in the canyon

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Description: NMVFO returns with partner Albuquerque Wildlife Federation over Labor Day weekend to help restore wetland meadows in Limestone Canyon. Albuquerque Wildlife Federation has been working this area for over 17 years! We will be hand-building one-rock dams to slow and spread water to help re-wet a meadow. We may also repair or expand fencing enclosures that were built in years past to protect cottonwood saplings.
We’ll meet at our dispersed camping location (map). **Note that FR 549 has been impacted by the Bear Trap fire. Those who sign up will receive specific directions via FR 476. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.** FR 476 has been recently scouted and is in good shape. Our camping locale is in a beautiful Ponderosa forest with lots of suitable tent locations. Portable toilets will be onsite, supplied by AWF. Volunteers do not need to be present for the entire weekend to participate. Camping at the site on Friday night is highly recommended, but you are welcome to join us just for the workday Saturday (please arrive by 8am), or camp for just one of the two nights. You are also welcome to stay at camp until Monday. Please let us know your plans. You are welcome to email any questions to the project leader.
Required Gear: Bring everything you need for a weekend of camping and restoration work, including work gloves, hat, long sleeves, long pants, sturdy boots, and sunscreen. We recommend bringing a change of shoes, and high waterproof boots, or boots you don’t mind getting wet. Rain gear, layers, warm clothes for the evenings and plenty of water are essential. Please bring your own dishes, silverware, cup and water for camping. Don’t forget that camp chair.
Food: AWF will provide vegetarian breakfast burritos on Saturday morning and bison or veggie burgers on Saturday evening. Please bring a dish to share for the Saturday potluck dinner, along with your own lunches, Friday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lots of water!
Difficulty:
Group Size: 15
Sign up below by August 28.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Manzano Crest Lopping and Sawing (Mountainair RD)
2025-09-12 18:00 - 2025-09-13 17:00
Description: We will remove downfall and do touch-up lopping on the Kayser Mill Trail in the Manzano Mountains. If time allows, we will continue the same work along the Manzano Crest Trail going north and/or south from the intersection with Kayser Mill Trail. The work will not be difficult but will involve at least a 6.5-mile mile hike (round-trip) with 1,800 feet of elevation gain. For this reason, we will rate it as difficult. We will camp at the Ox Canyon Trailhead, a drive of about 90 minutes from Albuquerque (suitable for passenger cars). You are welcome to join us on Saturday morning also. We will start at 8:00 am and be back at the trailhead at 5:00.
We will provide food on Friday evening and Saturday morning, but you need to bring your food for the workday. There will be a limit of 15 people (since this is a wilderness area). Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes (no sandals), long pants, hat, eye protection, gloves, and bring gear for rain. Pets are not allowed on projects.
Difficulty:
Group Size: Up to 15.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Kaiser Mill ADD-ON (Mountainair RD)
2025-09-14 08:00 - 17:00
RESULTS: Six volunteers spent a full day working on the Kayser Mill Trail in the Manzano Mountains, focusing on lopping and clearing downfall. Thanks to the clear weather after the storm (which delayed the project by a day), we were able to make excellent progress along the first two miles of the trail. In addition, Uwe and Don installed a brand-new summit sign on Manzano Peak.

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What is an add-on? We organize several off-schedule short-notice word-of-mouth projects during the trail season. If you show up to a large number of projects, mention to your project leader that you are interested.
