Public Lands Interpretive Association

NM PUBLIC LANDS INFORMATION CENTER AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

NEW MEXICO PUBLIC LANDS INFORMATION AND EDUCATION PROJECT

NM EL MALPAIS NCA ART INSTALLMENT AND COMMUNITY ART PROJECT

THE NEW MEXICO PUBLIC LANDS INFORMATION CENTER AND BOOKSTORE (NMPLIC), LOCATED IN THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT STATE OFFICE IN SANTA FE, NM SERVES TO EDUCATE VISITORS ABOUT RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO AND PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT HELPS VISITORS ENJOY THEIR PUBLIC LANDS SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY. CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFF HIGHWAY I-25, WITHIN THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING, THE NMPLIC SERVES AS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR VISITORS INTERESTED IN SIGHTSEEING, CAMPING, HIKING, FISHING, HUNTING AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTING OPPORTUNITIES ON NEW MEXICO PUBLIC LANDS.THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE NMPLIC IS TO SERVE AS A VISITOR INFORMATION DESTINATION SO VISITORS MAY HAVE SAFE AND ENJOYABLE RECREATION EXPERIENCES ON PUBLIC LANDS. THE NMPLIC PROMOTES RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES ON BLM LANDS IN NEW MEXICO AND LESSENS THE WORKLOAD ON BLM STAFF BY RESPONDING TO RECREATION QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.THE MAIN GOALS FOR THE NMPLIC ARE THE FOLLOWING: INCREASE AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR BLM LANDS IN NEW MEXICO THROUGH ANSWERING VISITOR QUESTIONS, PROVIDING FREE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS, AND SUPPORTING THE BLM. ADAPT AND RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE BLM WITH REGARDS TO ALERTING THE PUBLIC TO CHANGES ON PUBLIC LANDS, SUCH AS CLOSURES, FEE CHANGES, AND NEW RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. PROMOTE THE NMPLIC AS A ONE STOP INFORMATION CENTER FOR RECREATION INFORMATION IN NEW MEXICO.THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF THE NMPLIC IS TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF TIMELY AND PERTINENT INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC LANDS IN NEW MEXICO. NMPLIC STAFF ARE AVAILABLE BY PHONE, EMAIL, OR IN-PERSON AND CAN ASSIST VISITORS WITH RELIABLE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES ON PUBLIC LANDS. NMPLIC OPERATES A BOOKSTORE THAT CARRIES BOOKS, MAPS AND OTHER ITEMS AND PROVIDES INFORMATION THAT ENHANCES THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE ON PUBLIC LANDS.

OPERATION OF THE NEW MEXICO PUBLIC LANDS INFORMATION CENTER IN THE NEW MEXICO STATE OFFICE OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER STATEWIDE EDUC

PUBLIC LANDS INTERPRETIVE CENTER IN SANTA FE

THE CROSS BAR MANAGEMENT AREA INTERPRETIVE PLAN AND SITE DESIGN PROJECT SEEKS TO EDUCATE VISITORS ABOUT THE CROSS BAR MANAGEMENT AREA AND THE DIVERSE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AT THIS SITE IN NORTHERN TEXAS, AS WELL AS ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AS A STRATEGIC HELIUM RESERVE THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS FOR THE PUBLIC LANDS INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION AND THE BLM AMARILLO FIELD OFFICE BLM TO DEVELOP AN INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE AREA AS WELL AS A SPECIFIC SITE DESIGN FOR A RETIRED HELIUM WELL WHILE THIS AREA HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR HORSEBACK RIDING OPPORTUNITIES, MOUNTAIN BIKING, AND VIEWS OF VAST GRASSLAND PRAIRIE, MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS SITE, WHICH IS ONLY A HALF HOUR DRIVE NORTH OF AMARILLO IN ADDITION, THIS SITE HAS MAINTAINED A HELIUM RESERVE SINCE 1931, WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PRIORITIZED HELIUM STORAGE FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE USES AND FOR AERONAUTICS THIS PROJECT WILL RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND EDUCATION FOR HOW BEST TO APPRECIATE THE AREA S DIVERSE RESOURCES THIS PROJECT WILL SEEKS TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY TASKS DEVELOP A SITE INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE AREA, INCLUDING INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AND CONCEPTS FOR OUTREACH PROGRAMS THIS PLAN WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY OF WAYS TO CONNECT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO ENRICH THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE DEVELOP SITE DESIGNS AT A RETIRED HELIUM WELL AND DEVELOP INTERPRETIVE PANELS FOR THE SITE DRAFT IDEAS FOR VISITOR AMENITIES, SUCH AS PICNIC RAMADAS, TRAILS, AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS DEVELOP A DRAFT BUDGET FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING A DESIGN FOR A HELIUM ATOM MODEL THAT WOULD BE INSTALLED AT THE RETIRED HELIUM WELL SITE COORDINATE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND GATHERING FEEDBACK FOR THE INTERPRETIVE PLAN AND VISITOR ENRICHMENT PROJECTS THIS PROJECT ENHANCES ACCESS TO THE AREA BY DEVELOPING AN INTERPRETIVE PLAN THAT WILL ENHANCE THE RECREATION AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES WHILE CONNECTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO THEIR NEARBY PUBLIC LAND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WILL ALSO HELP BLM STAFF BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO ENJOY THEIR PUBLIC LANDS AND WAYS THAT THE AREA COULD FURTHER BENEFIT THEM THE PROJECT WILL BE A JOINT COLLABORATION WITH THE BLM FIELD OFFICE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN AROUND AMARILLO THE BLM FIELD OFFICE WILL BE INTEGRAL TO EACH STAGE OF CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROJECT THE FIELD OFFICE WILL REVIEW ALL ASPECTS OF INTERPRETIVE PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND SITE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AS PART OF THIS APPLICATION, PLIA HAS SUBMITTED ATTACHMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE WHAT THE HELIUM MODEL COULD LOOK LIKE AS WELL AS IDEAS FOR POTENTIAL INTERPRETIVE SIGNS

NM VIRTUAL FORT RECONSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENCE AT FORT CRAIG NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

CREATE SAFETY EDUCATION VIDEOS TO INFORM VISITORS ABOUT SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE NATIONAL MONUMENT

NM CAVER QUEST ACADEMY AT FORT STANTON - SNOWY RIVER NCA

VALLEY OF FIRES JUNIOR RANGER BOOKLET AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMPROJECT ABSTRACT:THE MISSION OF THIS PROJECT IS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 STUDENTS IN AROUND LINCOLN AND OTERO COUNTIES TO LEARN ABOUT AND APPRECIATE VALLEY OF FIRES RECREATION AREA IN CARRIZOZO, NEW MEXICO. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT BETWEEN THE PUBLIC LANDS INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION (PLIA) AND THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM).THERE ARE THREE OBJECTIVES FOR THIS PROJECT OVER A 3-YEAR TIME PERIOD: DEVELOP A JUNIOR RANGER BOOKLET, DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS K-12, THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 20 24 PAGES IN LENGTH, AND FULL-COLOR. COORDINATE A MINIMUM OF FOUR EVENTS PER YEAR (STARTING IN YEAR 2) FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TO EXPLORE VALLEY OF FIRES AND FOR CHILDREN TO EARN THEIR JUNIOR RANGER BADGE. RECRUIT AND SUPPORT A MINIMUM OF FIVE VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE ONGOING EVENTS AFTER THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETED.THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT MEET THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIORS PRIORITIES IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: THE PROJECT ADVANCES RACIAL EQUITY AND SUPPORT FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS LOCATED IN PREDOMINANTLY UNDERSERVED, RURAL COUNTIES. IN ADDITION, BOTH LINCOLN AND OTERO COUNTIES ARE MORE THAN 30 HISPANIC AND RESPECTIVELY 18 19 OF THE COUNTY POPULATIONS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY. THIS MEANS THAT THERE ARE MANY FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SPEND TIME ON PUBLIC LANDS, EVEN ON SITES THAT ARE CLOSE TO HOME. THIS PROJECT CONNECTS UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AND HELPS THEM FORM LIFELONG CONNECTIONS TO PUBLIC LANDS IN THEIR BACKYARDS. THIS PROJECT ALSO HELPS TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS AT HOME AND ABROAD BY INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE JUNIOR RANGER BOOKLET AND IN THE EDUCATION CURRICULUM. VALLEY OF FIRES IS A DESERT LANDSCAPE AND, WHILE DRINKING WATER IS READILY AVAILABLE AT THE SITE, WATER CONSERVATION IS VITAL TO PROTECT THE AREAS UNIQUE HABITATS. IN THE BOOKLET, THERE WILL BE AT LEAST ONE PAGE DEDICATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESILIENCY AS WELL AS WHAT WE CAN DO TO PROTECT OUR LOCAL HABITATS. PROGRAM CURRICULUM WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE RECREATION AND TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT LEAVE NO TRACE AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUTDOOR SPACES.THIS PROJECT WILL HELP BLM WITH CONNECTING COMMUNITIES, A PRIORITY THEY HAVE LONG BEEN COMMITTED TO BUT HAVE STRUGGLED WITH IN AN AREA THAT IS SPARSELY POPULATED. THE TOWN OF CARRIZOZO, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS A DECLINING POPULATION AND IT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION AND SUPPORT TO BECOME A STRONG GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOR VALLEY OF FIRES. THIS PROJECT WILL PRIORITIZE WORKING WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS IN CARRIZOZO AND TRAINING THEM AS VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT THIS SITE IN THE LONG-TERM.RECENTLY, THE BLM ALSO WORKED WITH PLIA TO APPLY AND RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE NEW MEXICO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR A TRAILS GRANT TO BUILD A NEW TRAIL AT VALLEY OF FIRES THATLEADS TO A UNIQUE KIPUKA FORMATION. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE BLM WILL BUILD ON THESE EFFORTS TO ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND REACH MORE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ENJOY THIS NEW TRAIL AND THE RECREATION AREA.THROUGH THIS PROJECT, THE JUNIOR RANGER BOOKLET WILL EMPOWER K-12 STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE SITE AND THE PROJECT ESTIMATES THAT A MINIMUM OF 500 STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THE BOOKLET FOR A CHANCE TO BECOME A JUNIOR RANGER. IN ADDITION, QUARTERLY EVENTS IN YEAR TWO AND YEAR THREE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO REACH MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE. OVERALL, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO ENGAGE 750 LOCAL RESIDENTS IN LINCOLN AND OTERO COUNTIES WITHIN THREE YEARS (TOTAL NUMBERS COULD INCREASE ONCE THE JUNIOR RANGER BOOKLET IS MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE). LASTLY, THE PROJECT SEEKS TO RECRUIT A MINIMUM OF FIVE VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN COMMIT A FEW HOURS PER MONTH FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS AFTER THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETED.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE A DETAILED, LONG-RANGE INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE RO GRANDE DEL NORTE NATIONAL MONUMENT THAT CELEBRATES THE UNIQUE OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PUBLIC LAND TO THE VISITING PUBLIC. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT BETWEEN THE PUBLIC LANDS INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION (PLIA) AND THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM) TAOS FIELD OFFICE.THE RO GRANDE DEL NORTE NATIONAL MONUMENT SPANS APPROXIMATELY 242,555 ACRES OF WIDE-OPEN PLAINS, STEEP CANYONS, AND VOLCANIC CONES IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. AS A RELATIVELY NEW MONUMENT DESIGNATED IN 2013, THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION AND MESSAGING THAT ENGAGES AND EDUCATES VISITORS. IN ADDITION, THE MONUMENT ADDED 20,000 ACRES OF WILDERNESS AS PART OF THE JOHN D. DINGELL ACT IN 2019 PROVIDING EVEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS TO ENJOY THEIR PUBLIC LANDS. A DETAILED, LONG-RANGE INTERPRETIVE PLAN WILL HELP VISITORS ENJOY THE MONUMENT SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY.THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE MONUMENT AND TO PROVIDE A DETAILED ROAD MAP FOR MONUMENT STAFF TO IMPLEMENT INTERPRETIVE PROJECTS BASED ON AVAILABLE FUNDING.THE PRIMARY DELIVERABLE FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE A LONG-RANGE INTERPRETIVE PLAN DOCUMENT FOR THE MONUMENT THAT IDENTIFIES INTERPRETIVE THEMES AND POTENTIAL INTERPRETIVE PROJECTSOVER THE SPAN OF 5 TO 10 YEARS.