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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Trail Workshop – Field (CABQ Open Space)
March 23 @ 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Contact Leader(s): Larry Benson, L.Benson@nmvfo.org; Catlin Herrera, c.herrera@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Sixteen NMVFO volunteers and five personnel from the Open Space Division completed a new trail (started a week earlier after the Trail Workshop’s classroom session) that now goes uphill for more than 1,000 feet from the Tijeras Creek Trail to intersect with an existing trail. As shown in many of the photos, the Field Training Project including moving and working with heavy rocks to buttress more than sixty feet of the new trail along three sharply out-sloped sections. The group also closed and did erosion-control work on a steep user-created trail.
This session will build upon skills introduced to new volunteers at the March 16 class, but anyone is welcome to sign up. For more helpful information about doing trail work with NMVFO, go to this link.
Description: This project will take place on Albuquerque Open Space land in the recently expanded Tijeras Canyon Biozone just east of the city. Experienced Open Space personnel and NMVFO members will help mentor volunteers as we build a new trail section. Its carefully planned path will be marked with pin flags that follow the terrain to permit adequate tread width and proper drainage. Any large trees in the way will have already been removed with a chainsaw, but we will use hand tools to take out stumps and smaller plants and trim back intruding branches. We will reshape and smooth the tread, digging up rocks and roots as needed, and possibly build rock walls to buttress the trail along steep slopes and at drainage crossings. If closing an old trail segment, we will scarify the tread and scatter foliage to limit erosion and block entrances with rocks, branches, and replanted cactuses where available.
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, light lunch and/or snacks, and sunscreen. An email update will be sent out during the week before the project. Please sign up no later than March 21.
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 (Exit167), then turn left on Central Ave. and continue east on Old Route 66 for 1.2 miles to the parking lot.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 25
Cost: Free!
If the project is full, please email the project leader to be put on a waitlist.
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.