New Mexico Volunteers For The Outdoors

El Malpais NCA (BLM)
2026-09-26 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
Description: Join the Bureau of Land Management for National Public Lands Day and to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by volunteering at El Malpais National Conservation Area! Volunteers at this event can choose between repairing fences at Cebolla Canyon or assisting with maintenance on the Narrows Rim Trail. No prior experience is necessary; your enthusiasm and willingness to contribute are all that is required.
Volunteers are asked to gather at the El Malpais Ranger Station at 9:00 am (this is the BLM Ranger Station on Highway 117, not the National Monument Visitor’s Center in Grants). The work should be over by 2:00 pm. After check-in, groups will travel to their designated work locations. All volunteers should come prepared with sun protection, sturdy footwear, snacks, and water to stay comfortable throughout the day.
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.

Pecos River Cleanup (National Public Lands Day)
2026-09-26 09:30 - 12:00
Description: On Saturday Sept. 26th NMVFO will again join with the Upper Pecos Watershed Association and Santa Fe National Forest to remove litter along the beautiful Pecos River north of Pecos, NM. The cleanup project is part of a larger one-day effort, “Pecos 2 Pecos” which will have volunteer crews cleaning up the river from Pecos, NM all the way to Pecos, TX. The project also represents NMVFO’s commitment to National Public Lands Day, a national event that occurs annually in honor of our public lands. Since launching in 1994, Public Lands Day has been the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. NMVFO’s work will take place on USFS land in the scenic Pecos Canyon. Litter pickers, visibility vests and trash bags will be provided, and the Forest Service will remove collected trash at the end of the day.
Volunteers should dress in layers, including long sleeved shirts and long pants, sun and rain protection, eye protection/sunglasses, work gloves, sturdy boots, snacks, and water.
More information will be available to volunteers closer to the date.
Please Contact Dan Potter d.potter@nmvfo.org with any questions, or to be placed on a waiting list if the project is full.
Difficulty:
Group Size: 10
Sign up below by September 21.
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 Habitat Stewardship (NWR)
2026-10-03 08:00 - 16:00
Description: The Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is the Southwest’s first urban wildlife refuge. It serves as an oasis for both wildlife and people. Established in 2012, the refuge is transitioning from agriculture fields to a diversity of native habitats and visitor amenities.
NMVFO has been volunteering at Valle de Oro NWR since 2018. Help us continue that stewardship relationship by restoring habitat for native plants by removing invasive species from the Visitor Center area. Guided tours of the Refuge will be provided by Valle de Oro staff for interested volunteers.
Volunteers must wear sturdy boots (preferred) or shoes (no sandals), long pants, eye protection, and work gloves. Long sleeve shirts are recommended. 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.
The volunteer group will not exceed 20 participants. Registrants will be updated by email in the week(s) before the project with the latest information. If you have to cancel on the day of the project, please text the Project Leader at 505-705-2584.
Directions: Valle de Oro is located approximately 10 miles south of Albuquerque’s Big I. Coming from the North, take Interstate 25 South to Rio Bravo (Exit 220). Go West on Rio Bravo, then South on Broadway for approximately 2.25 miles. Turn West on Desert, cross the Rail-runner Tracks, then turn South on 2nd Street. The entrance to Valle de Oro will be on your right about 0.75 miles. At the entrance, proceed to Visitor Center parking. Please plan to be there a little before 8:00 AM.
Difficulty:
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.
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.

Los Luceros Historic Site 2
2026-10-09 08:00 - 2026-10-11 16:00
Description: Join NMVFO as we remove invasive trees (Russian olive and tamarisk) and improve trails in the bosque at the Los Luceros Historic Site just north of Espanola. We will be using loppers and hand saws to cut the trees at ground level and piling the cut trees next to a nearby gravel road and use hatchets to macerate the remaining trunks to help prevent them from sprouting. We will also improve the drainage and tread on several trails within the Site. All tools will be provided.
You can join us on either Friday or Saturday (October 9th or 10th) for a day of work starting at 8:00 am or car camp with us starting either Thursday or Friday evening (October 8th or 9th). The site will provide a level spot for tent campers and a gravel parking lot for RV campers. Both sites are near the dining hall, restrooms, and showers.
The cottonwood tree leaves will be in full color while we’re there. It’ll be gorgeous! There may be loads of apples available for the picking also!
NMVFO cooks will provide breakfasts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. Folks can eat in the dining hall adjacent to the kitchen. Please let the Project Leader (Mike Timmer at m.timmer@nmvfo.org) know when you plan to arrive and depart so he will know how many tools to bring and the cooks will know how much food to prepare.
We suggest that you wear boots, long pants, long sleeves, work gloves, hats, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring a day pack to carry 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 October 2, 2026
Difficulty:
Group size: Up to 25. If the project becomes full, please add your name to the waitlist, and we will contact you if a spot opens up.
Meet at: Visitor Information Center, Los Luceros Historic Site, 253 County Road 41,
Alcalde, NM 87511
How to find us: Look for the sign to the Los Luceros Historic Site on State Highway 68 about 15 miles north of Espanola. Green NMVFO signs will point you to the Visitor Center at
approximate coordinates 36.1174, -106.0396
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at Volunteer FAQs 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.

Organ Mountains Aguirre Springs Recreation Area (Las Cruces BLM)
2026-10-23 17:00 - 2026-10-25 12:00
Description: Join NMVFO on a trail maintenance project in the beautiful Organ Mountains National Monument east of Las Cruces. We will be working with the Bureau of Land Management doing trail work on the Baylor Pass Trail in the Aguirre Springs Recreation Area. Work needed includes erosion filling, installing water diversion features, clearing overgrown brush, closing braided trails, and removing a small section of old barbed-wire fence.
Volunteers can join us for camping on Friday evening. We will be camping in Aguirre Springs Campground. A campfire talk with Ranger Kevin on the geology and natural history of the Organ Mountains will be held on Saturday evening. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided; volunteers will supply their own lunches and snacks.
All tools will be provided. Volunteers should wear boots, long pants, long sleeves, 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. Volunteers will 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.
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.
