Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill today that
will boost New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy by investing in
local outdoor recreation access with new trails, programming, and
infrastructure.
The funding was allocated to the Outdoor Recreation Division through
House Bill 2 [2], which was introduced in the December 2021 special
session. The bill appropriates $7 million to the ORD Trails+
infrastructure grant and $3 million to the ORD Outdoor Equity Fund. The
special session was convened to decide on redistricting actions and
appropriate federal funds from the federal stimulus law, the American
Rescue Plan Act.
In total, House Bill 2 allocates $43.5 million for conservation and
outdoor recreation. It includes $20 million to the State Parks Division,
$10 million to the Environment Department, and $3.5 million to the
Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department for orphan wells.
Gov. Lujan Grisham has identified Outdoor Recreation as a target
industry to better diversify and grow the economy and has promised
additional state investment. In April 2019, the governor signed a law
that created the state’s first Outdoor Recreation Division and New
Mexico is now a national leader for outdoor recreation and responsible
stewardship.
“Gov. Lujan Grisham has been a champion for building the outdoor
recreation economy in New Mexico,” Economic Development Department
Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said. “She knows this is an
important industry that can grow jobs in all corners of the state, but
especially help rural communities as they identify outdoor recreation
businesses and invest in these assets to benefit families and create
jobs.”
“This funding is a long-term investment in the state’s people and
landscapes,” ORD Director Axie Navas said. “Over the next two years,
it will enable the office to increase the reach of the Trails+ grant by
a magnitude of 14 and triple the reach of the Outdoor Equity Fund,
supporting communities throughout the state.”
The signing today comes a week after Gov. Lujan Grisham announced
another major conservation and outdoor recreation funding initiative: A
$50-million general obligation bond proposal that would fund the ORD
grants with an additional $9.5 million [3], if approved by lawmakers and
voters. The GO bond initiative will be decided on during the legislative
session that begins in January 2022.
In 2019, lawmakers created the Trails+ grant (formerly known as the
Special Projects and Infrastructure Fund) to develop outdoor
infrastructure in New Mexico communities, buoying the outdoor economy
and quality of life for residents. The program supports projects that
enhance communities’ outdoor recreation opportunities. Trails, river
parks, wildlife viewing areas, and more contribute to economic
development, prosperity, and wellness. In fall 2021, ORD awarded over
$506,000 to 25 organizations to fund outdoor infrastructure projects
[4]. The grant will reopen in early 2022 with the additional funding.
The Outdoor Equity Fund was created in recognition that access to the
outdoors is a basic human right – yet one that has often been denied
to many New Mexican youth. As a result, youth from underserved
communities haven’t had the chance to experience some of the best of
the state: its outside world. In 2020, the Outdoor Equity Fund opened to
applications for the first time, awarding $270,000 to 25 applicants. [5]
On August 19, 2021, the ORD announced the 57 recipients of the second
round of the Outdoor Equity Fund, who together will get more than 22,000
young New Mexicans outside [6].
The 2022 Outdoor Equity Fund grant cycle will open later this winter to
support transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and
respect for lands, waters, and cultural heritage.
To stay up to date on further ORD accomplishments and projects,
subscribe to the office’s newsletter. [7]
###
Gallup-based Silver Stallion was awarded a 2020 Outdoor Equity Fund
grant to repair bikes on Navajo Nation. To date, they’ve repaired over
500 bikes. (Photo Credit: Shaun Price)
Santa Fe Conservation Trust (SFCT) used a Trails+ grant to build the
Chili Line trail in the La Tierra trail system in Santa Fe. (Photo
courtesy of SFCT)
Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance (HPWA) in Las Vegas was awarded an
Outdoor Equity Fund grant to take kids birding and fly-fishing along the
Gallinas River. (Photo courtesy of HPWA)
SWNMACT was awarded a Trails+ grant to construct a pavilion in Silver
City that will serve as an outdoor business incubator and a southern
trailhead of the Continental Divide Trail. (Photo courtesy of SWNMACT)
The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s mission is to improve
the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities
and providing a place for businesses to thrive.
