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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Limestone Canyon (Magdalena RD)
September 1, 2023 @ 6:00 PM - September 3, 2023 @ 5:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Dan Potter, d.potter@nmvfo.org; Jim (Sagebrush) Sells, 505-898-6345, j.sells@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: An NMVFO crew of 9 joined forces with our friends at Albuquerque Wildlife Federation to continue work on this watershed restoration project on the Cibola National Forest. We repaired older and built a number of new structures, all made from local materials gathered within the canyon. The work is slowly reuniting a deeply incised creek with its adjacent floodplain.
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 16 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 24. One person per signup.
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at 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.