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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Mesa View Trail (Sevilleta NWR)
April 9, 2022 @ 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Contact Leader(s): Larry Benson, L.Benson@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Eighteen NMVFO volunteers joined Jeannine Kimble of the Sevilleta staff to improve the first mile of a rugged trail that leads from the Visitors Center to the crest of the prominent mesa to the west. Traditional trailwork included widening and smoothing the tread as well as improving drainage with waterbars, drain dips, berm removal, and check dams. Other work involved replacing reinforcing and repairing stone and timber stairs on the steepest portions of the trail, where a tumbleweed-fueled wildfire had burned many of the timbers. The volunteers carried about 30 new timbers up the trail’s steep slopes, using 17 of them to replace damaged steps and install some new ones. They later carried the damaged and unused timbers back down the trail.
Description: The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge protects a large expanse of land north of Socorro encompassing a variety of terrain and habitats on both sides of the Rio Grande. This year we will be working on a hiking trail just west of the Visitor Center. It leads up to an extensive mesa with views looking over the refuge – from the Los Pinos Mountains in the east to Ladron Peak on the west. The section of the trail we’ll be maintaining and repairing climbs uphill on loose soil subject to erosion. It includes two stairways (one of them shown in the photo) constructed of timber and stone steps, some of which need to be replaced. In addition to improving drainage along the trail, we will be carrying in timbers and gathering local rocks (bringing most of them up steep slopes) to replace damaged steps and shore up others. (Rock slings and strong canvas bags will allow two or more volunteers to share the weight.) Volunteers should wear sturdy boots (preferred) or shoes (no sandals), long pants, and bring work gloves, hats, sun protection, and other apparel appropriate for the predicted weather. Also bring a day pack with plenty of water, snacks, a light lunch, and other necessities. We plan to finish work by 3:30 pm if attendance is sufficient.
Pandemic protocols: We will follow whatever rules for outdoor gatherings are in effect by April. Even if the Visitors’ Center (which has been closed to the public during the pandemic) is not yet open, volunteers can go inside to use the facilities. Registrants will be updated by email in the week(s) before the project with the latest information.
Directions: The Sevilleta Visitor Center is located 60 miles south of Albuquerque’s Big I on Interstate 25. Take Exit 169 and turn right at the first intersection. As shown on this map, the Visitor Center is about ¼ mile up this road. We will meet in the parking lot by 8:30 AM to sign in and get oriented on the planned work and related safety precautions.
To sign up, click on the button below and fill out the contact information. One person per signup.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 20
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.