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 (NPLD) on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024.
See below for informatio on the events at the following USACE-Albuquerque District-managed lakes: Abiquiu, Cochiti, Conchas, and Santa Rosa lakes in New Mexico, and John Martin Reservoir in Colorado.
National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest, annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. It was established in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to support the more than 70 USACE projects across the country participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day. Last year 5,231volunteers served 20,093 hours on USACE-managed lands, removing 114,444 pounds of trash, cleaning 639 miles of roadways and shoreline, maintaining 50 miles of trails, planting 10,124 trees and shrubs, and engaging 218 partner organizations.
NPLD is more than just a clean-up—it's a chance to connect with new communities, enjoy outdoor activities, and support physical and mental health. It's also an opportunity to use our public lands for education, recreation, and environmental conservation.
This year, USACE will again waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024.
The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.
Volunteers who participate in one of USACE’s NPLD in-person activities will be issued a fee-free coupon if the volunteer site is participating in the coupon program. Volunteers should check with their local USACE project for more information. The fee-free coupon is valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at any participating federal agency’s park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees.
National Public Lands Day events at USACE-Albuquerque District-managed lakes:
Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico:
When: Sat., Sept. 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Additional Information: Volunteers will be able to participate in a variety of projects including shoreline trash pick-up, building Juniper Titmouse birdhouses, and a plant ID card project for the pollinator garden with younger volunteers.
All volunteers are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and hats to protect from the sun. Volunteers will also earn a free night of camping.
To participate in the event, no pre-registration is necessary. Just meet at the Cerrito Recreation Area, Group Shelter 3, at the Abiquiu Lake Boat Ramp Road, Abiquiu, N.M., 87510, at 9:30 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 28.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, call the Abiquiu Lake Project Office at 505-685-4371.
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: Sat., Sept. 28, 2024
Time: Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Additional Information: Volunteers will be able to assist in creating a new trail. The event will be staging from the Cochiti Boat Ramp.
“This year we will be working on old bridges on the Nashroo Trail and making some sections of a new trail approved early in the season,” said Nicholas Parks, natural resource specialist at Cochiti Lake. “The new trail will complete the primary loop and allow people to walk from all main areas of the recreation area, including the Visitors Center.”
To participate in the event, no registration is necessary. Just meet at the Cochiti Boat Ramp at 9:30 a.m. on Sat. Sept. 28.
Everyone is welcome to participate! However, please understand that trail work may include a lot of bending over, raking, sorting rock, and walking over uneven terrain.
All volunteers are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and hats to protect from the sun. It is also recommended to bring work gloves if possible, in case USACE-Cochiti Lake staff run out of borrowable pairs.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, call the USACE-Cochiti Lake 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: Sat., Sept. 28, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Additional Information: Volunteers will assist in cleaning up the shorelines, campground, and roadways. The event will take place at the South Recreation Area.
Volunteers can participate as a family or individual, or with school, community, or national groups such as the Student Conservation Association, Outdoor Nation, Boy Scouts of America, or Girl Scouts.
To register, volunteers can pick up a volunteer form from the USACE office or the Ranger station or register the day of the event. Pre-registration is not required to participate.
Volunteers will meet at the Ranger station on the Southside of the lake at 9:00 a.m. Please bring a water bottle, snack, hat, sunscreen, work gloves, hand sanitizer, and bug repellent.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, contact Park Ranger Nadine Carter at 575-868-2221, or by email at nadine.r.carter@usace.army.mil
“Volunteering fosters a strong connection between people and the environment, educating and cultivating environmental stewards,” said Nadine Carter, park ranger at Conchas Lake.
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: Sat., Sept. 28, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Additional Information: The USACE-Santa Rosa Lake office is partnering with the New Mexico Department of Transportation through the Adopt-a-Highway program to clean along Highway 91 (Joe & Louie Page Road) leading to Santa Rosa Lake. The USACE-Santa Rosa office is also partnering with the N.M. State Park Office for a cleanup around the Juniper Park and boat ramp area.
Immediately following the cleanup, volunteers and USACE personnel will meet at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Administrative office where lunch will be served for participants. Volunteer NPLD certificates will be given to local volunteers.
It is recommended that volunteers wear headcover, apply sunblock, and stay hydrated due to expected hot temperatures.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, call the USACE-Santa Rosa Lake office at 575-472-3115.
Santa Rosa Lake website: www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Santa-Rosa-Lake/
John Martin Reservoir, Colorado:
When: Sat., Sept. 28, 2024
Time: Volunteers can begin showing up between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., USACE-John Martin staff will be on site until about 5:00 p.m.
Where: USACE-John Martin staff will meet volunteers where Black Bridge is split by railroad track on the corner of County Rd. FF5 and County Rd. 12.5 in Las Animas. To get there, at the light in Las Animas head east on 6th Street and follow until at tracks, cross and turn left.
Additional Information: The goal of this event is to improve the conditions of an area east of Las Animas, Colo., called Black Bridge. This area is frequently vandalized and subjected to illegal dumping. USACE-John Martin staff want to improve the security in the area by limiting access to vehicles only into designated parking areas.
Volunteers will have several options in how they assist. They can help install fence posts and wire to stop vehicles from off-roading past the parking area. A second volunteer activity will be litter pickup in the area. The third volunteer activity will be to convert the previous perimeter road around Black Bridge to a walk-in access trail.
Equipment and safety glasses/gloves will be provided. Bring extra water and snacks for your group if wanted.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, contact the USACE-John Martin Office at 719-336-3476 or go to their Facebook page to sign up (link below). Volunteers are also welcome to show up on Sat., Sept. 28! No pre-registration is necessary.
“This project is important as it is one of the closest outdoor access areas to the town of Las Animas, it is a popular area to fish the river or hunt, and we would like our visitors to enjoy the lands free of litter or damages,” said Trevor Schuller, natural resources specialist at John Martin Reservoir.
John Martin Reservoir website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/John-Martin-Reservoir/
Follow John Martin Reservoir on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnMartinReservoirUSACE
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