NMVFO plans 20+ volunteer work projects each year. Click here for a printable overview of the 2024 project season, and check back often for additional information posted as it becomes available. To receive updates and detailed information about upcoming projects and events, be sure to sign up for the NMVFO newsletter on the Home page. Public land agencies that are interested in proposing a project should contact our Projects Team (projects@nmvfo.org) for more information and our easy-to-complete project proposal form.
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Trail Workshop Practical
March 18, 2017 @ 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Chris Fritzsche, 505-504-3768, fritzsche.christopher@gmail.com; Larry Benson, L.Benson@nmvfo.org with any questions.
Introduction to Trail Construction and Maintenance
Leaders: Larry Benson, 505-821-7999, LawRBenson@aol.com and Chris Fritzche, 505-504-3768, fritzsche.christopher@gmail.com.
In partnership with REI and the Albuquerque Open Space Division, the New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors is conducting its annual 2-part Trail Construction and Maintenance Workshop on Thursday March 16 and Saturday March 18. The first session will be held in the Albuquerque REI store and the second at the City of Albuquerque’s Elena Gallegos Open Space in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Experienced trail workers are invited to come to the outdoors session and help train those who attended the classroom session.
Starting at 6:00 pm on Thursday March 16, the indoor workshop will be offered courtesy of the REI Store, 1550 Mercantile NE (near the intersection of I-25 and Montgomery). Two experienced NMVFO project leaders, will discuss the fundamentals of trail work with an illustrated presentation featuring recent projects on public lands throughout New Mexico. Two U.S. Forest Service videos will also help show how volunteers safely refurbish and improve trails. The presenters will answer questions and provide a list of NMVFO projects scheduled in 2017. Those who want to attend the March 16 classroom session need to sign up no later than March 14 at the Albuquerque REI web site! https://www.rei.com/stores/albuquerque.html.
On Saturday, March 18, the attendees at the REI store will have the chance to get some practical OJT by improving a trail in the Elena Gallegos Open Space. Albuquerque Open Space employees and experienced NMVFO volunteers will help demonstrate trail work techniques. Everyone will need to wear sturdy boots (no soft shoes!), work gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and other appropriate protection from the predicted weather. Also bring a day pack with snacks, water, and personal items.
We’ll meet not later than 8:00 am in the Kiwanis Group Shelter. To get there, turn east on Simms Park Road (located along Tramway between Academy Road and San Rafael Ave.) and drive about 1.3 miles to the park’s entrance. Tell the attendant you are a volunteer worker (to avoid the entrance fee), make a hard left turn immediately in back of the visitors center, and drive a half mile north to the parking lot for the group picnic shelter. Starbucks coffee, fruit, and snacks will be available to those who arrive early enough. We’ll then carpool to one of the park’s trailheads and hike to the work site, where experienced Open Space workers will help supervise the volunteers in how to enhance and re-route trail segments. NMVFO members and other experienced trail workers are also invited to help demonstrate proper techniques. Depending on attendance, we’ll probably finish work no later than mid-afternoon, but volunteers are welcome to leave early if needed. To sign up contact Larry at LawRBenson@aol.com.
