The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD), operating within the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD), has announced the recipients of the Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) grants for the fiscal year 2024. The OEF aims to provide equitable outdoor opportunities to the youth of New Mexico by supporting initiatives that facilitate outdoor experiences.
According to a press release, the OEF has awarded $1.7 million in funds to various organizations and programs that promote outdoor engagement and environmental awareness among young New Mexicans. The recipients include the Adobe Whitewater Club, based in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, which has launched a pioneering program for 20 South Valley youth. This initiative offers a comprehensive outdoor leadership course that not only teaches about Bosque ecology and recreational paddling skills but also emphasizes river restoration, indigenous stewardship practices, colonial impacts on land and water, and the present state of the Rio Grande.
Another recipient is the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy (ASLA), also located in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, which operates the Honey Badger Conservation Crew. This program aims to include deaf, hard of hearing, and students with individual and developmental disabilities in outdoor activities that combine environmental sciences with hands-on experiences. The goal is to encourage youth and their families to engage more with the outdoors in New Mexico.
These initiatives represent just a portion of the diverse range of OEF grant recipients, each with a unique approach to engaging youth with the outdoors and promoting environmental awareness.
Economic Development Department Deputy Secretary Jon Clark praised the Outdoor Equity programs, stating, "New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division has quickly become a national model as we invest not just in trails and rural communities but also our youth. The Outdoor Equity programs have introduced 20,892 young New Mexicans to the outdoors through day hikes, bike rides, camping trips, fishing, river adventures, acequia irrigation, and more. Many are having these experiences for the very first time, setting them on a path of healthier living and outdoor stewardship."
The Economic Development Department expressed its gratitude to the evaluation committee that spent hours reviewing and scoring the grant applications.
Overall, the Outdoor Equity Fund grants aim to provide accessible outdoor opportunities for the youth of New Mexico, fostering a love for the outdoors and a sense of environmental stewardship.