The Mayfly Project, Santa Fe Chapter, New Mexico
Grants Awarded
The Mayfly Project enhances the mental health and daily lives of foster children and teens by incorporating the sport of fly fishing in provoking connection with the outdoors and aquatic ecosystem, and promoting conservation values. The method involves a series of five mentoring sessions, providing fly fishing training, conservation education and encouraging a deep appreciation for outdoor recreation through hands-on experience across various local spots. Using fly fishing as a therapeutic tool to help manage trauma and stress, the program includes a Conservation Initiative and prioritizes creating safe, inclusive spaces to foster trust, skill acquisition and long-term positive impact on the participants' lives.
The Santa Fe The Mayfly Project (TMP) fosters a supportive environment for youth in care aged 8-18 through nature-based mentorship experiences. This program utilises fly fishing to improve mental well-being, impart resilience skills, and promote ethical conservation practice through five weekend outings from August to September 2026. TMP particularly serves underprivileged youth by addressing system barriers, providing bilingual support, and equipping them with personal fly-fishing gear, aiming to empower them with confidence and a sense of belonging within the outdoor community.
The Mayfly Project is a 501(c)(3) national organization that uses fly fishing as a catalyst to mentor and introduce children and teens in foster care to the great outdoors. Our project in New Mexico is located in Santa Fe and has been serving youth in foster care for 3 years, starting with a smaller scale project and pivoting to grow and serve more youth. This project has been reaching into the multicultural communities in New Mexico, utilizing our curriculum that has been translated into Spanish, and has led over 25 youth in foster care to the great sport of fly fishing and the beautiful New Mexico outdoors!