New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Now Accepting Grant Applications

Outdoor Equity Fund and Trails+ Grant open with over $12M in combined funding

August 5, 2024

SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation
Division (ORD) Director Karina Armijo announced the opening of both the Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF)
and the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant. Both grant programs opened for applications on July 1, 2024.

ORD has invested over $20 million in expanding outdoor access through these programs to date. These
grants are now supported by the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, a dedicated source of state recurring
funding that prioritizes land and water stewardship, forest and watershed health, outdoor recreation and
infrastructure, agriculture and working lands, historic preservation, and wildlife species protection.

Outdoor Equity Fund
The first-of-its-kind Outdoor Equity Fund, now in its fifth year, was created to enable all New Mexican
youth equitable access to the outdoors. Funding supports youth programs that provide transformative
outdoor experiences to foster stewardship and respect for New Mexico’s land, water, and cultural
heritage. Since its inception in 2019, OEF has granted over $5.7 million through nearly 250 awards to
statewide organizations to get over 72,000 young New Mexicans outside.

“In 2023, we successfully allocated nearly $3.7 million in funding, supporting 68 new Outdoor Equity
Fund recipients. This clearly highlights the significant need for supporting these outdoor youth
programs,” Armijo said.

ORD is expecting a very competitive grant cycle this year for the Outdoor Equity Fund. Despite support
from the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, ORD is only able to offer $851,400 in funding for OEF.
Interested applicants can visit the OEF webpage for more information and apply by August 31, 2024.
If assistance is needed, email aj.jones@edd.nm.gov, ORD Deputy Director.

Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant
The Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant supports shovel-ready projects that add access and enhancements
to outdoor recreation opportunities for communities, including parks, trails, wildlife viewing areas, and
more. Applications for the Trails+ Grant will close for FY25 Round 1 on September 30, 2024.
More information and a link to apply can be found on the Trails+ Grant webpage. Email carl.colonius@edd.nm.gov,
ORD Outdoor Recreation Planner, if you have questions.