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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Perea Nature Area (BLM Rio Puerco)
April 10, 2021 @ 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Larry Benson, L.Benson@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Thirteen NMVFO volunteers joined two BLM employees and two interns to perform a variety of tasks that improved the area. Their work included transporting and spreading an estimated 15 tons of gravel onto parts of the main trail and side trails, including numerous steps leading to bridges; closing and revegetating several unapproved social trails with brush and transplanted cactuses; reconstructing the area’s dilapidated wildlife viewing shelter; cutting and trimming plants intruding on the trail’s multiple bridges; and pruning an old Cottonwood tree with branches overhanging a bench.
The Perea Nature Trail makes a one-mile loop through a riparian area adjacent to the normally dry Rio Salado. Located on level terrain and constructed with a gravel surface, the trail crosses the old riverbed on wooden bridges and takes visitors past bird-viewing stops and benches. Click here For an informative brochure.
Description: We will be improving the condition of the trail by shoring up eroding segments of the tread, trimming back overgrown vegetation, and removing bunch grasses and noxious weeds from and alongside the trail. We may also partially reconstruct a bird-viewing shelter. Phyllis Martinez (co-leader), a recently retired USFS trail working expert, and Jackie Leyba of the BLM will be supervising the work. Volunteers are advised to wear sturdy boots or shoes, work gloves, and dress in layers based on the latest weather forecast. Also bring a day pack with a couple liters of water, snacks, food for lunch, and personal items. Depending on attendance, we may well finish work by mid-afternoon, but volunteers may leave earlier if need be. To register for this project, click on the sign-up button at the bottom of this page by April 8. If you are bringing another family member or guest, fill out a separate form for them.
Pandemic Protocols: The project will be limited to 15 volunteers, divided into separate teams of 5 or fewer. Masks are mandatory, and volunteers will endeavor to maintain social distancing as they work. Except for people from the same household, carpooling will not be possible. If you wake up with any symptoms of Covid-19 or do not feel well for any reason, please don’t hesitate to stay home. For more information on our protocols click here.
Directions: The trail’s parking lot is located on US 550 about 23 miles west from its intersection with I-25 in Bernalillo. Just after crossing a bridge over the Rio Salado, turn left into the parking lot. There is a Speedway gas station/convenience store less than a half mile farther west on 550 on the outskirts of the village of San Ysidro. It has snacks, coffee, other drinks, and indoor facilities (to which volunteers can drive during the work day if necessary). Here is a Google map.
Difficulty: 1 Pulaski
Group Size:
No more than 15