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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Galisteo Basin Preserve 2
November 2 @ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Bruce Wollens, b.wollens@nmvfo.org; Dan Potter, d.potter@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: NMVFO organized a crew of 17 volunteers to remove 1.25 miles of 4-strand barbed wire fence at Commonweal Conservancy’s Galisteo Basin Preserve, near Lamy, NM. This habitat restoration project spooled up a total of 5 miles worth of barbed wire that will no longer endanger wildlife or interfere with wildlife movement, and pulled about 1,000′ of T-posts remaining from a previous project.
Description: NMVFO returns for the second time this year to the 10,000 acre Galisteo Basin Preserve near the town of Lamy, NM near Santa Fe. We are partnering with the preserve’s manager, the Commonweal Conservancy, a non-profit land conservation organization. As in previous years, our work at the Preserve will focus on removing barbed wire fencing that endangers raptors and impedes free wildlife movement in and across the preserve.
We will meet at the Cowboy Shack Trailhead. After a brief introduction and safety talk, volunteers will hike in and spend the rest of the day removing 2 miles of fencing.
Volunteers should wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, eye protection/sunglasses, sturdy leather gloves and boots, and a day pack. Please bring your own ample water, snacks and lunch.
Additionally, if any volunteers have their own fencing pliers (linesmen pliers work well) please bring them. After the workday, all volunteers are invited to reconvene at a local cafe to enjoy a meal before returning home.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 20. If the project is full, please email the project leader 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.