ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District welcomes volunteers to continue the annual tradition of public service by participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 25. See below for information on events in the USACE-Albuquerque District.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to support USACE projects participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. Volunteers at USACE sites will take part in tree planting, erosion control, bank stabilization, building trails, restoring recreation areas, trash pickup, removing invasive species and non-native plants, improving wildlife habitats, rehabilitating playgrounds and more.
National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, the event brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country.
National Public Lands Day events in the Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico:
When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Additional Information: Volunteers will be able to participate in a variety of projects including planting in a pollinator garden; trail maintenance; trash cleanup; and the placement of bat houses.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, go to: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/abiquiu-lake/abiquiu-lake-npld-2021 or call the Abiquiu Lake Project Office at 505-685-4371. Please note that the link above lists an incorrect time for the event. The correct time is 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Abiquiu Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/AbiquiuLake/
Follow Abiquiu Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbiquiuLakeUSACE/
Cochiti Lake, New Mexico:
When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Additional Information: Volunteers will be able to participate in a variety of projects including building bird shelters; trail maintenance; shoreline trash collection; tree planting; and landscaping projects.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, go to: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/cochiti-lake/national-public-lands-day-cochiti-lake-0 or call the Cochiti Lake Project Office at 505.465.0307.
Cochiti Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Cochiti-Lake/
Follow Cochiti Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USACE.Cochiti.Lake
Conchas Lake, New Mexico:
When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Additional Information: Conchas Dam will be hosting on-site activities to get participants outdoors and connecting with nature in a variety of ways including planting a xeric garden at the Corps’ Ranger Station; shoreline trash clean-up near the Southside Boat Ramp; painting picnic shelters & other recreation facilities; and general garden/landscape design throughout the Southside Recreation Area.
This event is ideal for participants interested in getting outdoors and being physical while also enjoying lake views and a natural desert landscape. Everyone is encouraged to follow and participate in the conversation on social media using the hashtags #NPLD, #NPLDCONCHAS, and #CONCHASVOLUNTEER.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, go to: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/conchas-dam/get-touch-nature or call the Conchas Lake Project Office at 575.868.2221.
Conchas Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Conchas-Lake/
Follow Conchas Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConchasLake
Santa Rosa Lake, New Mexico:
When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
Time: 8:15 am to 1:00 pm
Additional Information: Volunteers will be able to participate in two projects. The start point for the mountain bike rally will be at the Los Tanos Equestrian trailhead where a safety briefing will take place and participants will have the opportunity to either bike or walk the Riley Ranch trail.
The litter pick-up start point will be at the Juniper Park Campground group shelter where a safety briefing will be conducted. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Participants should bring head gear, sun block, and water since the temperatures will still be warm. Please also bring a light jacket for cooler morning temperatures.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, go to: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/mountain-bike-fiesta-los-tanos-campground-litter-pick-juniper-park-shorline-boat-ramp or call the Santa Rosa Lake Project Office at 575-472-3115
Santa Rosa Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Santa-Rosa-Lake/
John Martin Reservoir, Colorado:
When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
Time: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Additional Information: Volunteers will help remove tamarisk from John Martin Reservoir and restore habitat for native wildlife. Tamarisk, also known as salt cedar, is an invasive species that hogs light, water, and nutrients, harming the native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. At John Martin, tamarisk is threatening to take over the shoreline and has reduced nesting grounds for threatened and endangered piping plovers and interior least terns. By helping to remove the tamarisk, participants will be taking part in a multi-year effort to encourage native plant growth, improve recreational areas for visitors, and ultimately return the habitat to its natural state.
Meet at the Army Corps shelter near the Caddoa Disc Golf Course. Volunteers should bring work gloves, work boots, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, and glasses), a pair of loppers, and plenty of water. Lunch will be provided. Fee-free coupons will be provided to the first 20 participants.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, go to: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/john-martin-reservoir/john-martin-reservoir-invasive-species-removal or contact park ranger Sara Harrod at sara.e.harrod@usace.army.mil or call the John Martin Reservoir Project Office at 719-336-3476.
John Martin Reservoir website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/JohnMartin-Reservoir/
Follow John Martin Reservoir on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnMartinReservoirUSACE/
Trinidad Lake, Colorado:
When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Additional Information: Trinidad Lake is hosting a volunteer pollinator garden planting event. Plants have been donated by the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society. Food and drinks have been donated by the Trinidad Community Foundation. Please bring gloves and shovels if you have them. Please RSVP on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/Jwzzqmgi or by calling Kyle at the project office at 719-846-7990.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, go to: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/us-army-corps-engineers-trinidad-lake-project-office/native-plant-pollinator-garden or call the Trinidad Lake Project Office at 719-846-7990.
Trinidad Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Trinidad-Lake/
Follow Trinidad Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrinidadLakeUSACE
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