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Trail Workshop – Classroom (CABQ Open Space)
March 16 @ 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Larry Benson, L.Benson@nmvfo.org; Christy Osmon, c.osmon@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: On a windy and damp day, fourteen mostly new volunteers attended a classroom session followed by building several hundred feet of new uphill trail in Albuquerque Open Space’s Tijeras Canyon Biozone.
Description: Learn the fundamentals of building and maintaining trails with Larry and Christy as well as Jim Sattler and some of his experienced Albuquerque Open Space Division staff members. Beginners are especially encouraged to attend this class, although others who would like a skills refresher will also be welcome. To follow-up on this introduction, a full-day field training project will be held one week later on Saturday, March 23.
The workshop will begin with an indoor class at the future Tijeras Biozone Education Center. Jim will give a brief (but colorful) history of this facility and the city’s plans for its future. With his help, Larry will summarize some basics of planning and constructing trails and demonstrate the most common trail-working tools. You will also receive handouts, including a booklet on doing trail work in arid lands. To prepare in advance for the class, please go to this link and view a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation that explains and illustrates the challenges and methods for making and maintaining trails in New Mexico.
After the classroom session, we will gather tools and hike a short distance in the Tijeras Canyon Biozone to practice using the tools to clear and build a new section of trail and, if needed, close off an old section.
Preparations: Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy boots or work shoes, eye protection (glasses or sun glasses), caps or hats, and outer layers appropriate for the weather forecast. Bring work gloves if you have them (but extras will be available) and a daypack with water, snacks, sunscreen, pen, and notebook. An email update will be sent during the week before the project. Please sign up no later than March 14.
Directions: The Tijeras Biozone Education Center is located at 15600 Central Ave SE as shown on this map. If coming from Albuquerque on I-40, turn south at Tramway Blvd (Exit 167), then turn left on Central Ave. and continue east on Old Route 66 for 1.2 miles to the parking lot.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 20
If the project is full, please email the project leader to be put on a waitlist.
Cost: Free!
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.