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.
If you’re new to NMVFO, be sure to visit our FAQ page to learn more about what to expect on a project. Project leaders are always happy to answer your questions about specific projects. Have a non-project related question? Send us a message from our Contact page. Pets are not allowed on any NMVFO projects. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or other legal guardian
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Juan Tomas ABQ Open Space
August 24, 2019 @ 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Larry Benson, L.Benson@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Seventeen NMVFO volunteers and four City of Albuquerque Open Space Division personnel built over a quarter mile of new trail and closed a slightly longer section of old eroding trail.
August 24 @ 8:30 – 4:00 PM
Difficulty: 2 Pulaskis Contact Leader: Lawrence (Larry) Benson, LawRBenson@aol.com, 505-821-7999, to sign up.
In addition to its heavily used recreational areas within Albuquerque, the City’s Open Space Division also maintains five less-visited public lands east of the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. See https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space/lands/east-mountain-open-space. The largest of these is the Juan Tomas Open Space, which encompasses 1,290 acres of primarily pinon-juniper forest growing as high as 7,760 feet. As shown on the lower right side of the following map, it lies adjacent to the Sandia Ranger District’s extensive multi-use trail network: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd555098.pdf.
Description: The goal of our project is to better connect the Juan Tomas Open Space to the Cibola National Forest’s heavily used Oak Flat Group Picnic Complex. We will be using a variety of trail-working tools to clear vegetation, remove rocks, and excavate soil to create about half a mile of smooth well-drained trail segments. Participants should wear sturdy boots or work shoes (no sandals or soft shoes), long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats, and other apparel appropriate for the predicted weather, especially rain gear if the Monsoon season is active. Also bring work gloves if you have a pair (otherwise loaners will be available) and a day pack with water, snacks, a box lunch, sunscreen, and personal items. Depending on turnout, we may finish earlier than 4:00 pm, but volunteers are welcome to leave earlier if necessary. After we finish working, a VFO member and his wife who live close by have offered to serve some snacks and refreshments to interested volunteers. Additional guidance for new trail workers is available at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq/.
Directions: To reach the worksite, take the Tijeras exit from Interstate 40, drive south on State Highway 337 for 9 miles (passing by Juan Tomas Road). Turn east (left) on Oak Flat Road. Continue east (past the Oak Flat Group Picnic Area) for about 2.2 miles. Turn into the gravel parking lot in front of the gate on the north (left) side of the road, as shown here: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.998911,-106.3040672,116m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en