COMPANION REPORT AOUTDOOR RECREATION IN NEW MEXICO

INFLUENCES AND ASSETS

NEW MEXICO STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN

AUGUST 2015

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CONTENTS

OUTDOOR RECREATION | INFLUENCES AND ASSETSGeography and Natural Resources

Rivers and WaterbodiesWetlands

Community and Demographic TrendsSocioeconomicsHealth and RecreationRelationships between Age, Income, Ethnicity, Obesity, and Physical ActivityPhysical Activity, Mental Health, and Well-BeingOutdoor Recreation Systems and HealthHealth Partnerships

Outdoor Recreation Providers and VisitationFederal Agency LandsState Agency LandsPueblos, Tribes, and NationsLocal GovernmentsRecreation on Private Lands

Trail SystemsValue of TrailsRio Grande TrailRecreational Trails ProgramState Trails System and State Trail Planning

FIGURES AND TABLES

LIST OF FIGURESFigure A-1. New Mexico Counties and Tourism RegionsFigure A-2. Population Increase/Decrease by CountyFigure A-3. Median Housing Income by CountyFigure A-4. Obesity and Physical Activity among Adults by

Race/Ethnicity, New Mexico 2011-2013 Figure A-5. Childhood Obesity in New MexicoFigure A-6. Adult Physical Activity by County (2011, 2013)Figure A-7. Obesity Among Adults by County (2011, 2013)Figure A-8. Adolescent Physical Activity by County (2011, 2013)Figure A-9. Adolescent Obesity by County (2013)Figure A-10 Land Ownership MapFigure A-11. National and State Trail Systems in New Mexico

LIST OF TABLESTable A-1. Trends in Income InequalityTable A-2. Land OwnershipTable A-3. Visitors per Year per AcreTable A-4. Land Trusts Operating in New MexicoTable A-5. National Trails in New Mexico

OUTDOOR RECREATION |

INFLUENCES AND ASSETS

This report describes the important relationships between outdoor recreation and age, income, economic growth, ethnicity, and health—how these factors influence decisions that are made regarding where and how to provide recreational programs and amenities. It also includes a summary of existing assets and recreation providers.

For this 2015 Víva New Mexico Plan, inventory findings appear by county and by the six planning regions previously established by the New Mexico True Tourism campaign (see FigureA-1). These regions each have unique culture, recreation, landscape, and distinctive geography.

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FIGURE A-1. NEW MEXICO COUNTIES AND TOURISM REGIONS

GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL RESOURCESNew Mexico’s unique geography and natural resources bring to life many of the popular recreational sites—part of the reason New Mexico is known as the “Land of the Enchantment.” From the caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park to the forested slopes of the Angel Fire ski resort to the desert mountain bike trails of Gallup, there are many distinct outdoor adventures to explore.

New Mexico has a sunny and dry climate with diverse terrain, climate variations, and four distinct seasons. Elevations in the state range from 2,817 feet in the Pecos River valley at the northern end of the Red Bluff Reservoir to 13,161 feet on Wheeler Peak in north-central New Mexico. New Mexico contains semiarid shrub- and grass-covered plains, forested mountains,

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snow-covered peaks, woodland- and shrubland-covered hills, lava fields and volcanic plateaus, river floodplains, and arid deserts. The vast ecological diversity found in New Mexico results in the number of defined ecoregions found across the state. These ecoregions are critical for structuring and implementing ecosystem management strategies by the federal agencies, state agencies, and other government organizations that are responsible for different types of resources within the same geographical areas.1 Mountains stretch through the state from the Sangre de Cristo to the Guadalupe Mountains. However, the plains cover the largest percentage of the state.

New Mexico provides habitat and wildlife corridors for a range of species and migrating animals. The New Mexico Audubon reports that the state is home to 500 bird species, 150 mammal species, and 123 reptile and amphibian species.2 This terrain and habitat diversity affords abundant and diverse hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Rivers and WaterbodiesBased on annual precipitation, New Mexico is the third driest state in the United States3, making rivers and any water source especially important assets. New Mexico’s 200 miles of waterways provide water to millions of people, irrigation for food production, and habitat for wildlife, as well as abundant recreation opportunities.

New Mexico has a total of 1,200 lakes and reservoirs, 20 of which are managed as state parks where visitors and residents can camp, swim, boat, or even bike and hike. Numerous lakes, such as Elephant Butte, and rivers, such as the Rio Grande and San Juan, provide boating and fishing opportunities. Other agencies, such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation, manage land around waterbodies for public recreation.

Four reaches that are federally designated as wild and scenic rivers flow through the state: Jemez River (East Fork), Pecos River, Rio Chama, and Rio Grande. There are opportunities to float on the Rio Chama or go for a wild whitewater adventure on the Rio Grande, among other rivers in the state. New Mexico’s rivers are primarily fed by melting mountain snowpack, leaving only a short window for paddlers during the spring runoff season. Steep canyon sections grab the attention of expert kayakers, moderately challenging rapids provide a day of fun, and mellow rapids make a wonderful canoe trip or family outing. Several outfitters offer trips along the Rio Chama and Rio Grande. However, dams, diversions, and private fences create barriers to river enjoyment.

WetlandsWetlands are essential in providing critical ecological functions that serve both humans and wildlife. Some of these critical functions include:

Serving as the headwater source of perennial streams, including some of our state’s outstanding streams and fisheries.

Providing habitat for wildlife resources, including rare and endemic species. Providing for the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of adjacent streams and

lakes.

1 http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/152138/.2 http://nm.audubon.org/.3 New Mexico Environment Department, Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) Wetlands Program. 2013. State of New Mexico Assessment and Monitoring Program Strategy for Wetlands.

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Dissipating and modifying flood energy. Providing recharge to local aquifers and groundwater sources. Providing sediment retention and erosion control.

Although the acreage of wetlands in New Mexico is minimal, New Mexico’s wetlands are a vital part of the Central Flyway. The USFWS considers most of New Mexico to be within the Central Flyway for migratory birds. This is one of the four designated corridors in North America used by migrating bird species.

New Mexico, through the Department of Game and Fish, participates in the Central Flyway Council, a representative body that works toward cooperative management among public and private entities throughout the Central Flyway. Despite many challenges over the past six decades, the various state, provincial, federal, and private organizations can also point to many successes in protecting and managing these important wildlife resources.

With the number of birds being one of the highest compared to other states, migrating birds attract visitors during all seasons, even throughout the winter. Birdwatchers come from neighboring states to witness the beauty and diversity of cranes, warblers, raptors, and many other species. Wetlands are important attributes to recreational areas because they can be used for hunting, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching.

The State of New Mexico defines “wetlands” as those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.4 Generally, a wetland is the aquatic ecosystem at the interface, or transitional zone, between upland, dry ecosystems, and deeper water aquatic ecosystems, such as rivers or lakes. Wetlands may also be isolated locations away from other bodies of surface water, such as playa lakes. However, there is a severe lack of information about wetland resources in New Mexico. Very little data is available about what types and how many of each type of wetland occur in New Mexico, as well as the distribution, condition, and functions those provide to our environment.5

While many wetlands are on private lands, several federal, state, and tribal agencies manage the state’s wetlands—including the USFWS, US Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico State Land Office, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico State Parks Division, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Isleta Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Taos Pueblo, and The Nature Conservancy. Multiple agency ownership of many wetlands underscores the need for continual interagency communication and a holistic approach to planning and management.

Working with the USFWS and other partners, the State’s Environmental Department Wetlands Program works to protect and restore remaining wetlands and riparian areas and to increase self-sustaining, naturally functioning wetlands and riparian areas so they continue to benefit New Mexico’s future. Federal legislation protects wetlands from development due to the limited amount of remaining wetlands and the importance of those to environmental vitality.

Each year, New Mexico’s Wetlands Program Plan describes the achievements made since this Plan was approved in 2010 by the Environmental Protection Agency. It also lays out a pathway to continue program development for the next 5 years. Through this updated 5-year Plan, it is

4 NMAC 20.6.45 New Mexico Environment Department, Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) Wetlands Program. 2012. Wetlands Program Plan for New Mexico. November 29.

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expected that there will be continued progress toward a comprehensive and sustainable Wetlands Program for New Mexico. Complete details of the Plan’s assessment and monitoring strategies appear in the New Mexico SWQB:Wetlands Program Plan for New Mexico.

COMMUNITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDSSocioeconomicsOutdoor recreation can provide connections between people and nature, as well as help strengthen connections between people in a community. Public spaces, parks, and trails provide opportunities to interact with the outdoor environment, as well as places to interact with others. These interactions create a more cohesive and stronger community. The Trust for Public Land describes that the more “webs of human relationship a neighborhood has, the stronger, safer and more successful it is.”6

Understanding demographic trends can assist in identifying key recreational needs of communities throughout the state to provide the appropriate settings and facilities to enhance community cohesion. The state’s changing demographics are described below to identify socioeconomic trends that may guide recommendations and direct decisions for outdoor recreation providers and planners.

Population GrowthAlthough New Mexico is the fifth most extensive state in the United States, it is the sixth least densely populated, a significant fact that delayed statehood until 1912. Between 2010 and 2014, New Mexico’s population increased by 1.3 percent, with a total population estimated at 2,085,572.7 Population projections estimate that New Mexico will increase to 2,827,692 by 2040, about a 35 percent increase over the next 25 years.8

The six geographic regions vary widely in population density, growth, and composition, with the central region being the most populous and experiencing the largest growth. Although one of the smallest regions in terms of area, the central region accounts for 42 percent of the state’s total population, suggesting that urbanization and the corresponding attributes of that, may prove significant in that region. Bernalillo County is in the central region and is the state’s most populous county, with larger cities such as Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, which together comprise over 32 percent of the state’s total population.

The state’s population is concentrated in and around Bernalillo County (675,551), which has enjoyed a steady growth rate of 20 percent since 2000. The addition of 118,873 people since 2000 in this single county is equal to all growth in all of New Mexico’s other counties combined, if Sandoval County were removed. However, Bernalillo County’s growth rate has slowed to approximately 2 percent since 2010. Sandoval County, immediately north of Bernalillo County, witnessed the largest growth in the state and experienced a 4.6 percent population increase over the same time frame. Second to Bernalillo County in percent of population growth is Doña Ana, which is located at the southeast corner of the southwest region and encompasses Las Cruces. Doña Ana has experienced a 2.1 percent population increase since 2010, which can be attributed in part to expansion of New Mexico State University (40% of the population increase in Doña Ana County between 2010 and 2013 was in adults age 20-24 years old).

6 Trust for Public Land. 2009. Measuring the Economic Value of a City Park System.7 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/35000.html.8 https://bber.unm.edu/demo/PopProjTable1.htm.

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While many areas in New Mexico are experiencing marginal growth, many others are decreasing in population. In fact, 16 of 33 counties in New Mexico have decreased in population since 2000 (see Figure A-2). These communities typically have less than 30,000 residents and are located in the rural southwest and northeast geographic regions.

Population projections suggest that Bernalillo County will continue to remain the most populated county followed by Doña Ana.9 A concern, however, is that all but one of the state’s counties are lagging in their projected population growth numbers. Part of this lag in population growth likely stems from New Mexico’s economic environment.10

In Bernalillo, Doña Ana, Santa Fe, Sandoval, and San Juan Counties visitation to community parks and recreation facilities could outpace available funding and tax revenue. Additionally, there are concerns that rising population in those counties might exceed the capacity limits of the recreation resources located there. Comparatively, public lands in rural areas with declining populations experience substantially less local demand, although some highly popular locations may experience nonsustainable pressure from nonlocal visitors. Managers from all levels need to consider how they can support and sustain outdoor recreation use within current and expected budget constraints. Conservation of natural resources, including wildlife habitat corridors, water flows, and other attributes, should continue to be top challenges in the future.

The distribution of public land, a population density that is concentrated in the urban areas, coupled with stagnant to declining population growth in rural counties, presents unique challenges for recreation providers and planners to meet demand.

IncomeNew Mexico is ranked 45th in the nation in income per capita, averaging $44,927 per household, while the national average is $53,046. As of 2013, over 21 percent of residents live below the poverty level, ranking second highest in the nation and an increase of 3 percent since 2000.11 Figure A-3 shows the distribution of household income by county.

9 Projections were prepared in 2012 for 5-year periods through 2040. New Mexico County Population Projections July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2040, Geospatial and Population Studies Group, University of New Mexico, Released November 2012, https://bber.unm.edu/demo/PopProjTable1.htm.10 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/17/population-growth-in-new-mexico-is-approaching-zero-and-other-bad-signs/.11 US Census. Poverty: 2012 and 2013, American Community Survey Briefs. Available at http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2014/acs/acsbr13-01.pdf.

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FIGURE A-2. POPULATION INCREASE/DECREASE BY COUNTY

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FIGURE A-3. MEDIAN HOUSING INCOME BY COUNTY

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Based on a 2012 Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report, by the late 2000s New Mexico held the highest income inequality between its wealthiest residents and its middle and lower classes (see Table A-1).12 The richest 5 percent of households have average incomes 16.8 times as large as the bottom 20 percent of households and 5.3 times as large as the middle 20 percent of households. However, the state is also the 13th lowest in cost of living, making it one of the more affordable states to live.13

TABLE A-1. TRENDS IN INCOME INEQUALITY

GREATEST INCOME INEQUALITY BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM,LATE 2000s

GREATEST INCOME INEQUALITY BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE MIDDLE,LATE 2000s

1. New Mexico 1. New Mexico2. Arizona 2. California3. California 3. Georgia4. Georgia 4. Mississippi5. New York 5. Arizona6. Louisiana 6. New York7. Texas 7. Texas8. Massachusetts 8. Oklahoma9. Illinois 9. Tennessee10. Mississippi 10. LouisianaGREATEST INCREASES IN INCOME INEQUALITY BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM, LATE 1990s TO MID-2000s

GREATEST INCREASES IN INCOME INEQUALITY BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE MIDDLE, LATE 1990s TO MID-2000s

1. Mississippi 1. Mississippi2. South Dakota 2. New Mexico3. Connecticut 3. Illinois4. Illinois 4. South Dakota5. Alabama 5. Alabama6. Indiana 6. Connecticut7. Massachusetts 7. Missouri8. Colorado 8. Colorado9. Kentucky 9. Florida10. New Mexico 10. OregonNote: Inequality trends based on average household income for the richest 20% of households to the poorest 20% of households, 2008-2010. For more details, see http://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/pulling-apart-a-state-by-state-analysis-of-income-trends?fa=view&id=3860.

Job growth has been low in recent years: after ranking among the top 15 states in employment growth over the past several decades, New Mexico was ranked 48th in 2013. Projections forecast the state adding jobs and income at a rate just below the national average over the next several years. Sectors that are projected to slow include construction, the federal government, professional and technical services, and manufacturing; however, mining, oil and gas production, technology, tourism, and transportation are projected to grow. If the state continues on a downward economic trend, competition for available recreation funding and tax revenue will likely increase.

12 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/17/population-growth-in-new-mexico-is-approaching-zero-and-other-bad-signs/.13 http://www.missourieconomy.org/indicators/cost_of_living/.

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There is a correlation between population density, growth, educational level, and median household income at a county level. People locate to where the jobs are available, contributing to higher wages in those locations. With the most educated workforce, Los Alamos County also boasts the highest income per capita, nearly doubling that of Sandoval County at over $106,686, and has an impressive 3.1 percent unemployment rate.14 As the state’s most populous county, Bernalillo County ranks fourth in median household income. Similarly, Sandoval County, the fastest-growing county in the state, ranks second highest in median household income. The four counties with the highest median household income are geographically concentrated in the center of the state. Not surprisingly, three of the four counties with the lowest median household income (San Miguel, Guadalupe, and Mora) are the least populated and are projected to lose population.

The wide gap between the wealthy and middle to lower classes has implications for the state’s recreation providers and planners. These groups have significantly different levels of disposable income, representing their ability to afford travel, fees, equipment, and other items associated with outdoor recreation activities. The poorest may not be able to afford any outdoor recreational activities except those that are within walking or transit distance from their homes. The wealthiest and poorest counties are also geographically located near each other, which may or may not correlate with the quantity and quality of outdoor recreational facilities, lands, and experiences. The relationship between access to outdoor recreation, participation in activities, and income levels is discussed later in this report.

Ethnicity and AgeNew Mexico is one of the most diverse states in the nation (ranked sixth “most diverse” in a 2009 survey15). The US Census Bureau estimates that of the people residing in New Mexico, 51.4 percent were born in New Mexico, 37.9 percent were born elsewhere in the country, and nearly 10 percent were born outside the country. Among US states, New Mexico has the highest concentration of Hispanics, the second-highest percentage of Native Americans after Alaska, and the fourth-highest total number of Native Americans after California, Oklahoma, and Arizona. As of 2010, approximately 47 percent of the state’s total population was Hispanic, compared to 40 percent Caucasian. The growth of the Hispanic population is outpacing all other ethnic groups in the state. While the non-Hispanic population grew by approximately 4.8 percent between 2000 and 2010, the Hispanic population grew by 24 percent, which amounted to 78 percent of the state’s population growth. Immigration has been a major reason for this growth.16 This diversity means that a one-size-fits-all approach to prescribing recreation facilities will not work, emphasizing the importance to customize recreation management strategies based on local needs and preferences.

New Mexico comes in second place in the rankings of bilingual citizens, with 35.7 percent of the state’s population speaking another language.17 Unsurprisingly, most of those speak Spanish, but a fair number speak Navajo and/or other Native American languages. Providers need to prioritize what types of information need to be provided in Spanish or other languages if reaching these segments of the population is important.

While much of the nation is witnessing a growth in members of the population over age 65, New Mexico is ranked 9th in the nation as having the youngest population base. The state had the 15th fastest-growing population in the nation from 2000 to 2010, with the most significant 14 http://www.doleta.gov/performance/results/AnnualReports/2011_economic_reports/nm_economic_indicators2011.pdf.15 https://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/most-diverse-states-america/page/7.16 http://247wallst.com/investing/2011/05/10/the-states-with-the-oldest-and-youngest-residents/3/.17 https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/cb10-cn58.html.

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source coming from Hispanic residents aged 18-29. Over 25 percent of residents are age 19 or younger. It is anticipated that the proportion of Hispanics will continue to increase over the next 20 years. Because the state’s population is much younger and more Hispanic in composition than most other states in the nation, recreation providers need to allocate a higher proportion of resources on activities oriented toward youth and Hispanic families compared with other age groups.

Health and RecreationWhen it comes to health and fitness, the nation and New Mexico in particular are in crisis. New Mexico’s children may be the first generation at risk of having a shorter lifespan than their parents.18 Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity have contributed greatly to the numerous health problems plaguing New Mexico’s future.

Furthermore, increasingly sedentary lifestyles and time spent engaged with digital devices and television decrease the time available and priority placed on having direct experiences with nature. Outdoor activity in the natural environment has taken a back seat to television, video games, the computer, and a demanding schoolwork and extracurricular schedule. Many low-income and minority children are often more cut-off from nature due to the built environment around them: poor housing conditions, high-volume traffic, and a lack of parks and green space.19 While losing contact with the natural environment, today’s youth are missing key opportunities for physical activity, stress reduction, attention restoration, and healthy development.

Research demonstrates that physical activity helps prevent obesity and related medical problems. Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in improving health by providing places to exercise and connect with nature.

18 DS Ludwig. 2007. New England Journal of Medicine 357(23): 2325-2327.19 Committee on Environmental Health. 2009. Pediatrics 123(6): 1591-1598.

Park and recreation providers should understand age populations in areas that they serve. Part of this task involves understanding who your participants are by age group and projecting future age trends.

Under 5 years—This group represents users of preschool and tot programs and facilities, and as trails and open space users, they are often in strollers. These individuals are the future participants in youth activities.5 to 14 years—This group represents current youth program participants.15 to 24 years—These program participants are moving out of the youth programs and into adult programs. Members of this age group are often seasonal employment seekers.25 to 34 years—This group represents involvement in adult programming with characteristics of beginning long‐term relationships and establishing families. A growing percentage of this bracket is remaining single and without children, making them heavy facility users. 35 to 44 years—This group represents users of a wide range of adult programming and park facilities. Their characteristics extend from having children using preschool and youth programs to raising teens. Their time is limited to short commitments.45 to 54 years—This group also represents users of adult programming and park facilities. Their characteristics extend from having young children using youth sports and recreation programs to becoming empty nesters and beginning to increase their own leisure time and adult programming. 55 to 64 years—This group represents users of older adult programming. Many in this age group are approaching retirement or are already retired and typically enjoying grandchildren.65 years plus—This group generally ranges from very healthy, active seniors to more physically inactive seniors.

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Relationships between Age, Income, Ethnicity, Obesity, and Physical ActivityHealth disparities, or differences in socioeconomic conditions, significantly influence the physical activity level of New Mexicans such as income and education. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, “In our state, poor people are less likely to engage in physical activity than those who have high incomes, and are more likely to subsequently suffer the effects of not exercising, including stress, weight gain and depression.”20

For most racial/ethnic groups, there is a converse relationship between the results and rates of obesity and physical activity (see Figure A-4). Where physical activity is high, obesity rates are low. The availability of recreation facilities and recreation demand are strongly associated with higher rates of physical activity, somewhat associated with lower rates of overweight, and weakly associated with rates of obesity.21

White

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Asian/Paci

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Indian

/Alas

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ates

New M

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10%

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40%

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ObesityPhysical Activity

FIGURE A-4. OBESITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITYAMONG ADULTS BY RACE/ETHNICITY, NEW MEXICO 2011-2013 22

Obesity is associated with increased blood pressure; unhealthy cholesterol levels; chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and osteoarthritis; complications of pregnancy; and premature death.23 Similarly, physical inactivity contributes to many serious and costly health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.24 Conversely, physical activity among 20 New Mexico Department of Health. 2014. The State of Health in New Mexico 2013. Available at http://nmhealth.org/publication.21 R.S. Rosenberger. 2007. Health and Recreation Linkages in Oregon: Physical Activity, Overweight and Obesity. Prepared for the Oregon Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Available at http://egov.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS/docs/scorp/Health_and_Rec_Report_websize.pdf.22New Mexico's Indicator-Based Information System (NM-IBIS), Available at https://ibis.health.state.nm.us/indicator/complete_profile/ObesityAdult.html and at https://ibis.health.state.nm.us/indicator/view/PhysicalActAdult.RacEth.html.23 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 1998. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health.24 US Department of Health and Human Services. 2008. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services.

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adults has numerous benefits, including reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, improving physical fitness, bone health and mental health, preventing high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, prediabetes and diabetes, maintaining healthy weight, and increasing mobility. Among older adults, physical activity is crucial in preventing falls.

Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Nationally and in New Mexico, childhood obesity is occurring at very young ages. This means that children are developing unhealthy eating and physical activity habits and sedentary tendencies early in life, making it more difficult for them to lead healthy lifestyles as adults. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. In 2013 in New Mexico, 13.7 percent of kindergarteners and 19.9 percent of third graders were obese.25 Native American children have the highest obesity rates among all racial/ethnic groups in New Mexico. By third grade, nearly one-in-two Native American students are overweight or obese (see Figure A-5). An optimistic sign is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that young New Mexicans are beginning to see a plateau and possible decline in obesity rates.26

FIGURE A-5. CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN NEW MEXICO27

Adult Obesity: New Mexico is ranked 37th in the United States, consistently equal to or slightly below the national median percentage of obese adults over the past decade.28 Obesity rate is defined as a body mass index equal to or greater than 30.

Physical Activity: A higher percentage of adults and adolescents in New Mexico report meeting physical activity recommendations compared with those in the United States. However, since 2001, the percentage of adults and adolescents in New Mexico who meet physical activity recommendations has remained static, which is similar to the trend in the United States. The rate of physical activity is defined as the proportion of the population who engage in aerobic physical activity of at least moderate

25 New Mexico Department of Health. 2014. “Childhood Obesity in New Mexico” presentation. Healthy Kids New Mexico project. June 7.26 http://stateofobesity.org/files/stateofobesity2014.pdf.27 New Mexico Department of Health. “Childhood Obesity in New Mexico” presentation.28 http://stateofobesity.org/files/stateofobesity2014.pdf.

Physical activity is crucial to maintaining physical health. Among adolescents, regular physical activity helps improve bone health, body weight and composition, physical fitness, and mental health. In addition, active adolescents are more likely to become active adults.

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intensity for at least 150 minutes/week, or 75 minutes/week of vigorous intensity, or an equivalent combination.

Rates of obesity and physical activity by county and by region appear in Figure A-6 through Figure A-9.29

FIGURE A-6. ADULT PHYSICAL ACTIVITYBY COUNTY (2011, 2013)

29 Data for Figures A-6 through A-9 derived from the NM-IBIS. Available at https://ibis.health.state.nm.us/indicator/view/PhysicalActAdult.Cnty.html.

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FIGURE A-7. OBESITY AMONG ADULTSBY COUNTY (2011, 2013)

FIGURE A-8. ADOLESCENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITYBY COUNTY (2011, 2013)

FIGURE A-9. ADOLESCENT OBESITYBY COUNTY (2013)

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Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Well-BeingApart from the strong body of evidence attributing improved health with physical activity, there is evidence suggesting that time spent specifically in nature can improve attention and other psychological aspects of health. Outdoor playtime is important for children’s overall well-being, as well as for the mental health of adults. Published literature supports reduced levels of attention deficit in children, improved cognitive ability, reduced aggressive behavior, and general recharge of the brain, among other findings:

Stress Reliever: Evidence has shown that the outdoors is a stress reliever to highly stressed children.30

ADD/ADHD Mitigation: Exposure to natural environments can mitigate a child’s attention disorder. Children were able to pay attention better after activities in greener settings than indoor settings.31

Lower Morbidity: Studies on the relationship between morbidity and the amount of natural land around a residential environment, which excluded small-scale natural features such as gardens and residential trees, found that clusters of disease were lower in environments with more natural environments.32 This correlation occurred for all seven disease categories, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, mental, respiratory, neurological, digestive, and miscellaneous. Depression and anxiety disorder showed the strongest association to the amount of nature in people’s living environments, especially for children.

Obesity Prevention: Spending more time outdoors may be an effective strategy for increasing physical activity and preventing childhood obesity. A 3-year cohort study measured the physical activity and body mass index in children who spent time outdoors throughout the week. Each additional hour spent outdoors was associated with an extra 27 minutes per week of moderate and vigorous physical activity. Furthermore, the prevalence of children who were overweight at follow-up was 27-41 percent lower among those spending more time outdoors.

Outdoor Recreation Systems and HealthA study for Oregon’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan tested the hypothesis that people in Oregon with ready access to outdoor recreation opportunities are healthier than people residing in areas without access to such resources. The study concluded the following:33

The results of this analysis when combined with evidence from the literature support several general recommendations for recreation managers.

Support close-to-home non-motorized trail development; Identify high priority counties for trail development based on projected health

status and direction of change in health status, in particular, rates of physical activity;

Promote the use of existing trail networks by providing information on existing trails;

30 NM Wells and GW Evans. 2003. Environment and Behavior 35(3): 311-330.31 AF Taylor, FE Kuo, and WC Sullivan. 2001. Environment and Behavior 33(1): 54-77.32 J. Maas et al. 2009. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 63:967-97333 R.S. Rosenberger. 2007. Health and Recreation Linkages in Oregon: Physical Activity, Overweight and Obesity, 4. Prepared for the Oregon Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Available at http://egov.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS/docs/scorp/Health_and_Rec_Report_websize.pdf.

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Market the health benefits of outdoor recreation, but note the importance of nutrition in a weight loss regimen;

Target at-risk people and communities by identifying their preferences for trail attributes, supply gaps in trail networks, and their barriers to participating in physical activity/recreation.

Clearly, the mere presence of a park does not guarantee a healthier population.34 Parks must:

Offer a mixture of uses that appeal to different ages and abilities. Provide ample numbers and types of programs. Be accessible to the greatest number of people possible.

The closer the park or natural area, and the easier it is to get to, the more likely people will use the park. People are more likely to use outdoor places that are close to where they live and where they spend time: restaurants, shopping districts, libraries, gyms, work, and other meeting areas.

Health PartnershipsCreating a health-promoting outdoor recreation system requires greater expertise and resources than any agency can provide alone. What’s needed are partnerships with other public agencies, as well as with private foundations, corporations, citizens’ groups, and volunteers. Partnerships can be immensely powerful by leveraging the strengths of one partner with those of another—financial capacity with legal authority, for instance, or communication outreach capability with large numbers of participants.

Keys to a successful partnership are a mutual commitment to an overarching goal larger than the missions of the individual entities. Other agencies, beyond the traditional role of federal, state, and local park managers, include those that share the goal of healthier communities and have a unique set of skills:

Health Departments. Health agencies possess vast knowledge, expertise, data analysis, and other capabilities that can make them ideal partners. The New Mexico Healthier Weight Council is implementing the New Mexico Plan to Promote Healthier Weight: 2006-2015.35 Over 90 council members represent diverse organizations statewide.

Water or Sewer Departments. These agencies often own significant quantities of land to protect drinking water aquifers and manage stormwater runoff. Depending on legal requirements and limitations, partnerships might make some of these lands available for healthful recreation.

Public Works or Transportation Departments. These agencies control the other big parcels of urban public land—streets, sidewalks, and bridges—and can serve as key collaborators in all kinds of physical activities—runs, walks, bike rides, and much more. The link between parks and streets, bike lanes, and bike trails should be seamless, but it takes an intentional partnership to make it happen.

Health Insurers and Their Foundations. Health insurers have a special interest in keeping their members and the wider public healthy, and they often choose to fund

34 Trust for Public Land. 2011. From Fitness Zones to the Medical Mile: How Urban Park Systems Can Best Promote Health and Wellness. Available at www.tpl.org. 35 New Mexico Department of Health. 2006. New Mexico Plan to Promote Healthier Weight: 2006-2015. Available at http://physicalactivityplan.org/resources/PA-Plans/NewMexicoPA.pdf

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programs that promote public health. Examples include support for fitness zones and trails by the foundations of insurers Kaiser Permanente and MetLife.

Hospitals and Clinics. Frontline healthcare providers may be among the largest economic entities in a community. Like health insurers, they often look for ways to promote health in the community. Although there are numerous physical, practical, and legal constraints to partnerships, there are also opportunities for collaboration. Another workgroup, the Clinical Prevention Initiative Healthier Weight Workgroup, has produced a toolkit using materials that were carefully developed, adapted, or borrowed to support New Mexico healthcare providers in promoting healthier weight with their adult patients.36 Workgroup members are currently training healthcare professionals on how to best use the materials in their day-to-day practice. The culturally and linguistically relevant materials are founded on the evidence-based National Institutes of Health Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.

Doctors and Nurses. What could be more natural than a prescription for physical activity? In 1999, New Mexico engaged a diverse group of partners to develop the Prescription Trails program, which uses parks and green spaces to encourage physical activity. Initial partners included the Albuquerque Alliance for Active Living; American Heart and Stroke Association; NPS’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program; New Mexico Department of Health; and state health plans. The Prescription Trails program helps patients find some of the best park and trail paths for walking and wheelchair access in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County’s South Valley, Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Otero County, Lincoln County, Chavez County, Grant County, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe.37

Disease-Fighting Charities and Recreation-Promoting Organizations Such As Bike and Running Clubs. This is another natural collaboration. Such organizations can supply members and donors to partnerships, while park agencies can supply land, facilities, and trained leadership.

Sporting Goods and Sportswear Companies. These include manufacturers and retailers of sneakers, bikes, skates, playground equipment, ski jackets, soccer balls, and so much more. Partnerships with these companies—particularly when they are hometown firms—represent an obvious alignment of interests.

Friends of Parks Groups. These, of course, are the classic partners in most cities. Friends groups are an excellent source of volunteers, public outreach, advocacy, information, local connections, and other value to a park agency.

Coalitions. Two such coalitions deserve mention: Action Communities for Health, Innovation and Environmental Change focuses on

creating healthier environments and policies to address poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease through collaborative partnerships between the Department of Health, YMCA of Central New Mexico, and allies in Albuquerque.38

Healthy Kids New Mexico, led by the New Mexico Department of Health, builds state and local partnerships to expand children’s opportunities for healthy eating and active living. Interagency members represent 40 state programs across 8 state departments. There are currently 11 local Healthy Kids chapters active throughout the state.39

36 Espey, D. K., Baum, S. L., Jung, A. M., & Kozoll, R. L. (2007). The New Mexico Clinical Prevention Initiative: A Statewide Prevention Partnership.Public Health Reports, 122(3), 292–301.37 http://www.prescriptiontrails.org/.38 http://www.achievecommunities.org/.39 http://nmhealth.org/about/phd/cdb/hknm/.

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It is evident that the socioeconomic benefits of outdoor recreation spaces and experiences far outweigh the public’s investment. In fact, an active life connected to nature is a requirement for sustained public and environmental health, and therefore, parks and outdoor spaces held in public trust are essential services. Now more than ever, the vitality of New Mexico’s residents and visitors, and the economic health of the state, rests in our commitment to sustaining these public spaces and providing vital life‐enhancing experiences.

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CASE STUDY—TULAROSA CREEK DISCOVERY TRAIL: DISCOVERING HOW TRAILS CAN TRANSFORM HEALTHThe NPS has created a Parks, Trails, and Health Workbook in a community workshop setting to determine local health disparities, to inform trail plan implementation, and to engage health partners in New Mexico (http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/ht_publications.html). The Mescalero Apache Tribe, located in south-central New Mexico, was a recipient of a New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) Community Transformation Grant award. To help determine the success of the grant, the Mescalero Apache agreed to these population performance measures by 2016:

5 percent decrease in prevalence of childhood obesity.5 percent increase in prevalence of children’s healthy eating behaviors.5 percent increase in prevalence of children’s increased physical activity behaviors.

The Mescalero Apache Healthy Kids Coalition, the New Mexico DOH, and the NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program planned a three-quarter-mile trail along Tularosa Creek and assessed other walking opportunities within the Mescalero community. This stakeholder group used the 2015 NPS Parks, Trails & Health Workbook to:

Fully understand the health issues facing the Mescalero Apache people.Engage a broader section of health partners including Indian Health Services, Senior Programs,health education and mental health services. Help stakeholders understand how properly designed trail corridors could help addressa multitude of health issues.

Following an orientation to the Workbook steps, the Mescalero Healthy Kids Stakeholder Group collected community health data from various sources. The Stakeholder Group held a workshop to share data and learn about trail design as it relates to physical, mental, and social well-being. Workshop participants engaged in discussions about how the Tularosa Creek Discovery Trail could effect change in increased physical activity among youth and hypertension and depression among adults. Mescalero residents became engaged in park and walkability audits. A draft trail plan was developed, which was walked by the Stakeholder Group and Mescalero community to refine the “healthy trail” ideas. A final Tularosa Creek Discovery Trail Plan was presented to the Mescalero Tribal Council and adopted by tribal resolution.

Key OutcomesThe Tularosa Creek Discovery Trail became the anchor for other informal walking pathswithin Mescalero tribal land, including the Diabetes and Senior “walking routes.” To address social and mental health, the trail will become a gathering place featuring a drumming/singing circle; Mescalero War Chiefs memorial; and places for community gardens, flea markets, and rustic pavilions. To address physical activity, discovery play pockets are envisioned for climbing, balance, and swinging,along with new traditional playgrounds. A liquor store will be relocated away from the trail corridor. Tribal members performing community service will provide trail and walking path maintenance.

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OUTDOOR RECREATION PROVIDERS AND VISITATIONRecreation providers often focus on a specific range of settings along a recreation spectrum. From primitive to developed, each setting is based on factors that include level of development, density of users, acceptable uses, regulations and controls, accessibility, management intensity, and level of available services. Within New Mexico, provider roles often overlap. However, it is important to understand that each agency serves specific market segments (i.e., niches) and satisfies a specific range of user preferences. While it is impossible to discuss in detail every agency and organization that provides outdoor recreation throughout the state, the most significant providers and partners are highlighted in this section. General trends in visitation are also highlighted.

Of New Mexico’s 121,000 square miles, more than half is publicly managed land (see Table A-2 and Figure A-10). Federal agencies manage 32 percent, and of this amount, BLM is the largest public land manager followed by the USFS. The remaining public lands are managed by various state, tribal, and local government entities responsible for providing for the outdoor recreation needs of the state’s 2.1 million residents and for the protection and preservation of land for future generations.

TABLE A-2. LAND OWNERSHIP

OWNERSHIP ACRESSQUARE MILES %

Federal AgenciesBureau of Land Management 13,485,894 21,072 17.3Bureau of Reclamation 54,489 85 0.1Department of Agriculture 109,478 171 0.1Department of Defense 2,518,094 3,935 3.2Department of Energy 36,509 57 0.0Fish and Wildlife Service 383,236 599 0.5Forest Service 9,213,637 14,396 11.8National Park Service 385,127 602 0.5Valles Caldera National Preserve 89,867 140 0.1

Pueblos, Tribes, and NationsTribal Lands 8,315,983 12,994 10.7

State LandsState Land Office 8,973,877 14,022 11.5State Game and Fish 199,651 312 0.3State Parks 118,910 186 0.2

Total 43,794,886 68,430 56.3

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FIGURE A-10 LAND OWNERSHIP MAP

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Federal Agency LandsRecreation.gov is a national database that allows users to plan trips, make reservations, and obtain information from 12 federal agencies, including the major agencies in New Mexico: BLM, USFS, USFWS, NPS, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation. Over 760 recreational sites in New Mexico are available to research and/or to reserve for recreation activities, through interactive maps. Numerous activities are available:

Auto touring Biking Boating Camping Climbing Environmental education Fishing Hiking Historic and cultural sites Horse camping Horseback riding

Hotels/lodges/resorts Hunting Off-highway vehicles Paddling Photography Playground parks and specialized sport

sites Swimming Visitor centers Wildlife viewing Winter sports

Table A-3 lists, by agency, federal lands that attract the most visitors. State parks visitation is also shown for comparison. In 2014, more than 13.5 million people visited federal lands throughout the state. The 39 sites managed by State Parks saw nearly 20 visitors per acre—three times more than the entire federal agency lands combined. The 13 sites managed by the NPS attract the second most visitors relative to its acreage, at 4.3 visitors per acre.

TABLE A-3. VISITORS PER YEAR PER ACRE

AGENCY

TOTAL VISITORS PER YEAR VISITS PER CAPITA

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014TOTALACRES

VISITS PER ACRE IN 2014

BLM 5,851,817 4,942,782 5,550,284 6,667,065 7,892,917 13,485,894 0.6USFS* 3,744,000 9,213,637 0.4 NPS 1,602,114 1,512,529 1,502,808 1,491,144 1,657,550 385,127 4.3 USFWS 248,080 240,651 237,184 291,223 285,693 383,236 0.7 State Parks 4,768,710 4,244,739 4,055,455 3,852,111 3,802,115 196,677 19.6 Source: BLM, USFS, NPS, USFWS, and New Mexico State Parks.* National Visitor Use Monitoring program surveys over 100,000 visitors to National Forest System lands every 5 years, with 20% of the national forests conducting surveys each year.

Bureau of Land ManagementThe BLM manages more than 13 million acres, of which 266,348 acres are wilderness, most of which is open to outdoor recreation activities, including backpacking, hiking, biking, whitewater boating, fishing, caving, off-road-vehicle driving, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and cultural site touring.

Owing to the amount of BLM land and its multiple-use mandate, BLM lands receive more recreational visitors than other federal agencies. Visitation to BLM lands has been increasing over the past 5 years, from only 5.8 million visitors in 2010 to almost 8 million visitors in 2014. Most BLM areas are managed for multiple resources and uses, including energy and minerals;

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timber; forage; wild horse and burro herds; fish and wildlife habitat; wilderness areas; and archaeological, paleontological, and historical sites. Rarely is recreation the sole use, though it is given greater emphasis through designations such as national monuments, wilderness areas, and special recreation management areas.

Two national monuments were recently designated, which may contribute to additional visitors. The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument was designated in 2013, which provides opportunities for whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. The National Monument contains the Wild Rivers Recreation Area at the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River with campgrounds, scenic viewpoints, and hiking trails. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument was designated in 2014; it includes four distinct areas that offer a variety of recreation. The most developed of the four, Organ Mountains, includes four National Recreation Trails open to mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Twenty-five Wilderness Areas totaling 1,651,056 acres have been designated as wilderness in New Mexico. This represents approximately 2 percent of the lands within the state. These lands are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, which was established in 1964 by Congress. Wilderness areas provide many benefits, including opportunities to recreate. Wilderness can be used to hike, hunt, fish, ride horses, ski, and raft, but no mechanized (e.g., bicycling) or motorized recreation is allowed. Each of the federal land-managing agencies (BLM, USFWS, USFS, and NPS) manages wilderness areas in New Mexico. BLM manages five of these, as well as 861,273 acres of Wilderness Study Areas.

Wilderness Study Areas are managed so as not to impair their suitability for preservation as wilderness until Congress decides to permanently protect them as wilderness or release them from WSA status to nonwilderness uses. The Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area, located in New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost chain of the Rockies, was designated in December 2014. Other lands with wilderness characteristics—or contiguous BLM lands with sufficient size, naturalness, and outstanding opportunities for either solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation—have been inventoried. Where present, BLM considers these wilderness characteristics when undertaking land use planning as part of their multiple-use mandate.

US Forest ServiceThe USFS manages over 9 million acres of New Mexico’s most ecologically diverse lands ranging in elevation from 4,000 to over 13,000 feet. Six national forests span the state: the Carson, Santa Fe, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. On average, the National Forest System hosts 3.7 million visitors annually, with the Cibola National Forest hosting the most visitors.

USFS wilderness makes up 2 million acres. USFS areas with the potential to be designated as wilderness have been inventoried and are managed to preserve their possible wilderness designation. The definition of a roadless area for the 2001 Roadless Rule included undeveloped areas typically exceeding 5,000 acres that met the minimum criteria for wilderness consideration under the Wilderness Act and that were inventoried during the USFS’s Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE II) process, subsequent assessments, or forest planning.40 In New Mexico, 1,549,232 acres are designated as roadless.

40 http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_000250.pdf

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US Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe USFWS manages eight national wildlife refuges, including two national fish hatcheries, for a total of 383,235 acres, of which 58,000 acres is wilderness. Of these refuges, only Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public. Visitation to the state’s national wildlife refuges was 285,000 in 2014 , a growth of 13 percent over the past 5 years.

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge just opened 570 acres 5 miles south of Albuquerque to the public in 2014. Urban refuges such as Valle de Oro offer unique environmental education and recreation opportunities in highly populated areas, while promoting the mission of the refuge system to protect wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

National Park ServiceThe NPS manages 13 sites totaling 385,127 acres, of which 81,555 acres is wilderness. The NPS boasts visitor centers and trails to historic, cultural, and natural and scenic sites which were visited by over 1.6 million people in 2014.41 Visitation has been steady over the past few years.

US Army Corps of EngineersThe US Army Corps of Engineers manages seven dams in New Mexico, of which five include recreation areas.

Bureau of ReclamationRecreation areas at eight Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs are managed by the New Mexico State Parks: Brantley, Caballo, Heron, Leasburg Dam, Percha Dam, Sumner, El Vado, and Elephant Butte. Avalon Reservoir is managed by the Carlsbad Irrigation District.

State Agency LandsState Game and FishThe New Mexico Department of Game and Fish works to maintain and improve wildlife habitat and protect wildlife populations, while providing hunting opportunities on public and private lands throughout the state. Game and Fish administers boating, hunting, and fishing licenses and manages almost 200,000 acres of state land primarily for fishing and hunting, although many properties also offer camping, picnicking areas, trails, and wildlife viewing.

State ParksNew Mexico’s state parks are managed by the New Mexico State Parks Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The purpose of the state parks program is to efficiently create the best recreational opportunities possible in state parks by 41 For more information on NPS lands, see http://www.nps.gov/state/nm/index.htm.

Up-to-date information is available about state parks and other state lands and recreation programs at the following web pages:New Mexico Economic Development Departmenthttp://gonm.biz/New Mexico State Department of Transportationhttp://dot.state.nm.us/New Mexico State Game and Fishwww.wildlife.state.nm.us New Mexico State Land Officewww.nmstatelands.orgNew Mexico State Parkshttp://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/New Mexico State University Extensionhttp://extension.nmsu.edu/http://www.iad.state.nm.us/

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preserving cultural and natural resources; continuously improving facilities; and providing quality, fun activities.42

With 35 parks distributed throughout the state’s regions, the New Mexico State Parks Division manages over 118,000 acres, not including water surface area in 17 reservoirs. State Parks also manages 135 miles of trails within these properties, one historical area (Pancho Villa State Park), one natural area (Broad Canyon), and two environmental education areas (Rio Grande Nature Center and Mesilla Valley Bosque State Parks).

Annual visitation to state parks topped 3.8 million in the 12 months between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013.43 Nearly three-quarters of all New Mexican’s live within 40 miles of a state park. About 90 percent of state park visits are associated with water—reservoirs, lakes, rivers.

State Land OfficeThe New Mexico State Land Office manages almost 9 million acres for the beneficiaries of the state land trusts, which include schools, universities, hospitals, and other public institutions. Hunting, hiking, and horseback riding is available by permit on publicly accessible and noncommercial land.

State Transportation DepartmentThe Transportation Department promotes alternative nonmotorized transportation and multiuse trails. See the trails section below for more information on the State’s Recreational Trails Program.

Pueblos, Tribes, and NationsNew Mexico’s 22 Native American tribes, nations, and pueblos account for about 11 percent of New Mexico’s land area and 11 percent of the population.44 These sovereign entities have long provided visitors the opportunity to learn about their unique and special cultures through outdoor events such as feast days, arts and crafts shows, and tours. Some Native American lands permit camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing, sometimes for a fee. Sandia, Pojoaque, Santa Ana, Isleta, and Cochiti Pueblos offer golfing opportunities. The Mescalero Apache Tribe offers golfing, skiing, zip lining, hunting, and fishing. The Navajo Nation offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities provided by Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation which include camping, fishing, hiking and canoeing. 

Local GovernmentsWhile federal and state agencies provide numerous weekend travel and recreation opportunities on public lands for New Mexicans to enjoy, it is local governments that provide New Mexicans with daily accessible outdoor recreation opportunities in the form of parks, fields, courts, pools, picnic areas, playgrounds, and trails.

Cuts in federal and state spending, combined with increased concern by citizens for protecting land, have spurred cities and counties to take on a larger role in recreation and conservation funding. Funding through local governments can often be found in the departments of planning, health, parks, public works, and transportation.

42 New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. No date. Strategic Plan, Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016.43 National Association of State Park Directors. 2014. Statistical Report of State Park Operations: 2012-2013, Annual Information Exchange. April.44 For more information, see the Indian Affairs Department at http://www.iad.state.nm.us/.

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While there is no consolidated inventory or local government parks and open space, local open space programs continue to expand in both acreage and popularity. While each program is fundamentally grassroots oriented, often funded through local sales tax or property tax, they share similar outcomes, such as:

Conserving natural and archaeological resources. Providing opportunities for outdoor education. Providing a place for low-impact recreation. Defining the edges of the urban environment.

For example, efforts for the preservation of open space lands in the Albuquerque region began in the 1960s with a few visionary individuals. These early efforts resulted in the acquisition of over 29,000 acres in and around Albuquerque that, today, are managed by the City of Albuquerque’s Open Space Division. Open space programs have similarly expanded in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Rio Rancho.

Recreation on Private LandsThe legacy of the Spanish and Mexican land grant system has created a unique land ownership pattern, especially in northeastern New Mexico where federal land is limited. Several properties in excess of 50,000 acres continue to operate as ranches or private hunting/fishing grounds. Public access across private property is limited, and advance permission is required to avoid trespassing. Some ranches offer exclusive access to guests. These land grant properties fill a high end, somewhat fashionable, market niche in the recreation spectrum.

At a regional and community scale, commercial outfitters and guides are the primary vehicle for the public to access otherwise off-limit private land. Some outfitters hold ownership in or agreements for exclusive access to private lands and support acquiring and maintaining high-value resource areas (such as stream reaches and ponds). Examples of other private recreation providers include golf courses (day fees and annual memberships), ski resorts (day fees or seasonal passes), shooting and archery ranges (day fees), and fishing and hunting clubs (free or membership fee).

A growing number of private landowners are taking advantage of New Mexico’s Land Conservation Incentives Act, which makes charitable donations of land or an interest in land (conservation easement) to public or private conservation agencies for conservation purposes eligible for a transferable state tax credit.45 Since 2004, this powerful state incentive has been credited with generating a 25 percent increase in land conservation donations.46 While conservation easements generally do not allow public access, they are an effective tool for conserving the agricultural, forest, and watershed resources that both public and private recreation depend on.

Stimulated in part by the land conservation tax credit, land trusts are filling an important gap in private land conservation. Most land trusts conserve land through conservation easements which offer a limited amount of outfitter and public access for hunting and fishing. According to the Land Trust Census, land trusts in New Mexico have protected 621,051 acres by 2010 —this represents a 30 percent increase in acres conserved since 2005.47 There are now 8 land trusts operating in New Mexico, including 6 staffed groups and 2 all-volunteer groups (see Table A-4). 45 http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/LandConservationTaxCredit.html.46 Conservation Resource Center. 2007. State Conservation Tax Credits: Impact and Analysis. Available at http://www.landtrustalliance.org/policy/documents/state-tax-credits-report-original.pdf.47 https://www.landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts/land-trust-census

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New Mexico increased their full- and part-time staff and contractors 31 percent in 5 years, for a total of 34 paid positions. A limited number of nonprofits actually acquire, improve, and manage lands themselves, such as the Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies which often offer public access.

Between 2005 and 2013, at least 201,000 acres of private land have been conserved by federal, state, and local governments for the benefit of New Mexicans.48 Most conservation projects have been funded either by federal agencies (96,111 acres, primarily BLM, USFS, NPS, and Natural Resource Conservation Service) or through the state’s voluntary land conservation tax credit program (87,098 acres). During this period the state—largely the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department—has conserved 13,688 acres. These efforts have served to fill inholdings or conserve habitats. In some areas, these projects have further completed national recreation destinations and increased economic development opportunities, such as increasing the land base of the El Malpais National Conservation Area or Rio Grande National Wild and Scenic River.

TABLE A-4. LAND TRUSTS OPERATING IN NEW MEXICO

LAND TRUST BASED IN New Mexico Land Conservancy Works statewide, based in Santa Fe, NMColorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust Arvada, COForest Trust Santa Fe, NMLa Plata Open Space Conservancy Durango, COMalpai Borderlands Group Douglas, AZRio Grande Agricultural Land Trust Albuquerque, NMSanta Fe Conservation Trust Santa Fe, NMSouthern Plains Land Trust Centennial, COTaos Land Trust Taos, NMNote: Information on each of these land trusts is available at http://findalandtrust.org/land_trusts.

Alternative ProvidersSeveral for-profit, nonprofit, academic, professional, and civic organizations support New Mexico’s recreation providers. For-profit businesses function as asset providers (e.g., concessionaires) or experience providers (e.g., outfitters, guides); however, these serve a supporting role and rarely own land-based facilities. Land-based providers include:

Colleges and universities School districts Special districts Water conservation districts

The most active professional organization with a statewide presence is the New Mexico Recreation and Parks Association, which is affiliated with the National Recreation and Park Association. The New Mexico Recreation and Parks Association’s mission is to “Preserve the past, affect the present, and influence the future of Recreation and Parks within New Mexico.”49 It has a diverse membership with representation from city, county, and federal government agencies, as well as retired professionals. Regional networks, such as the New Mexico Outdoors Coalition based in Albuquerque (see the Collaborative Efforts Case Study below), are also involved in outdoor conservation and recreation. A broad list of other 48 Note that this acreage likely underestimates lands conserved by local governments and private land trusts. Trust for Public Land. Conservation Almanac. 2015. Available at http://www.conservationalmanac.org.49 http://nmrpa.org/component/content/article/11-demo-articles/20-our-mission

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nonprofit, advocacy, or interest-based organizations appears in the Appendix at the end of this report.

TRAIL SYSTEMSValue of TrailsThe needs assessment in the 2010 New Mexico Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan found that “a connected trail system was the #1 amenity to expand and improve.” This is no surprise: survey after survey demonstrates that trails are the #1 outdoor recreation priority for New Mexicans. Today, trails are seen less as an amenity (i.e., an enhancement) and more as a basic building block of community infrastructure.

Trails are excellent recreation resources for all people of all ages. A single facility offers a variety of uses: walking, jogging, bicycling, skateboarding, inline skating, exercise courses, wildlife watching, and on and on. Natural surface trails offer horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and trail running in both urban and backcountry settings. Trails advance alternative transportation goals, offer safe routes to school (and potentially everywhere), require less capital than roads, can be constructed with some volunteer labor and donations, attract business investment, create attachment to place and a sense of community, and generally have lower maintenance costs relative to other recreation facilities. Trail‐based interpretation goes hand‐in-hand with the restoration, protection, and beautification of a corridor’s cultural, historical, recreational, and/or natural resources. Ultimately, trails promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life in communities. The more complete and connected the system, the greater the benefits.

New Mexico’s trails can be categorized into two basic systems: urban trail networks and long-distance trails, with obvious overlaps. New Mexico’s urban trail networks are most developed in the largest metropolitan statistical areas: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe. As a

CASE STUDY—COLLABORATIVE EFFORTSHow the New Mexico Outdoors Coalition has organized over 50 agencies, groups, and organizations in a dialogue around outdoor recreation throughout the Central Region.The New Mexico Outdoors Coalition is a network of public, private, and nonprofit organizations and interested individuals who are committed to conservation and outdoor recreation. The Coalition is an open and inclusive forum for communication and collaboration with a goal of creating more opportunities to connect people to nature and respect the environment. The Coalition stands for increased well-being for all New Mexicans through access to and engagement with the great outdoors. It promotes and advocates for the benefits of enhancing the public’s experience in the outdoors through three primary lenses: recreation, conservation, and education. Originating in Albuquerque, at the helm of many governmental and organizational headquarters, this Coalition has an opportunity to be an advocacy group for outdoor recreation interests across the state. As an outcome of the America’s Great Outdoors Listening Sessions in 2011 and 2012, the New Mexico Outdoors Coalition formed to promote collaborative partnerships among stakeholders involved with outdoor recreation and conservation in the state. Through community activities and forums, the Coalition works to establish a comprehensive platform to enhance dialogue and action around topics of conservation, recreation, education, health, tourism, youth engagement, stewardship, job creation, and more. To date, the Coalition has developed a network of over 50 partner   organizations .Activities have included organizing National Get Outdoors Day at Tingley Beach, assisting with National Public Lands Day at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, organizing public forums around the Environmental Literacy Plan among the state’s environmental educators, bimonthly forums on diverse topics related to our mission and purpose, and monthly conference calls to spotlight outstanding organizations and to organize committees to conduct the business of the Coalition. Additionally, the Coalition assists partners in getting the word out through its network of public, private, and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

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relatively new master-planned community, Rio Rancho has benefited from being able to plan their trail system and acquire rights-of-way and easements from the start. As of 2011, Rio Rancho had constructed a network of 41 miles of paths and trails, 31 miles of bike lanes, and 40 miles of bike routes.50 Conversely, stakeholders indicated that most rural communities lack the capital and capacity for comprehensive trail planning and design, with trail standards varying widely. There is no single inventory for urban trail systems across the state, and several mapping projects are under way.51

The most complete urban systems are the result of consistent funding and a close partnership between metropolitan planning organizations, counties, municipalities, and pueblos. For example, the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bicycle Master Plan documents nearly 19 miles of paved “arterial” trails and 17 miles of unpaved “arterial” trails that comprise the backbone of the urban off-street trail system.52 Santa Fe County’s 34 miles of trails and many more miles of minor paved trails within subdivisions and parks, including internal connections and side paths along roadways, are not included in the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s numbers, nor are other soft-surface recreational trails.53 The number of “trail parks” is growing, such as the City of Santa Fe’s Dale Ball Trails and La Tierra Trails which provide a network of over 50 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails internal to two open space properties.54 These urban-wilderness trails connect to other well-known trails maintained by Santa Fe County, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico’s various pueblos, and The Nature Conservancy.

Long-distance trails are typically natural-surface trails that link communities across natural or cultural resource areas. Trails that follow waterways can provide fishing and boating access, as well as a parallel “blue trail” for canoes and kayaks. Trails that follow arroyos and washes can serve as “green trails” for habitat enhancement and for environmental education. Historic trails traverse centuries of cultural heritage and, while not continuously intact or publicly accessible, serve an important role in community and social identity. Long‐distance trails build upon urban trail systems and often serve locally as venues for community activities, fundraisers, and other special events, while long‐distance-trail users in need of supplies, lodging, and food boost community economies.

Long-distance trails are created, administered, and managed by federal, state, local, and nonprofit partnerships—no two partnerships are alike. Federally recognized trails are categorized as national scenic trails, national historic trails, national recreation trails, and trails under study (for designation to the National Trail System) and are shown in Figure A-11 and Table A-5. Many segments of New Mexico’s three national historic trails and trails under study offer recreational use on public lands in the form of hiking routes and byways and through interpretive guides. The National Trail System’s five trails across New Mexico are undercapitalized assets, yet they are much more than just lines on a map: they are living museums, a place to reconnect with nature and culture, and a unifier for people of all walks of life. Barriers include a lack of awareness of the recreational potential national historic trails, completion of the remaining Continental Divide National Scenic Trail segments, limitations on public access due to private property, and resource protection goals. The NPS, BLM, private trail associations, and public-private partnerships such as the El Camino Real International 50 Rio Rancho. 2011. Rio Rancho Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Master Plan. January. Available at http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/index.aspx?NID=16 51 See, for example, the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bikeways Mapping Project at http://santafempo.org/bicycle-master-plan/.52 Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization. 2012. Bicycle Master Plan. April. Available at http://santafempo.org/bicycle-master-plan/.53 http://www.santafecountynm.gov/public_works/open_space_and_trails_program.54 http://www.santafenm.gov/trails_1.

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Heritage Museum continue to facilitate cooperation, awareness, protection, and appropriate use of the state’s historic trail routes.

National recreation trails (designated by the Secretary of the Interior) complement the national scenic and historic trails (designated by Congress). National recreation trails provide a variety of compatible outdoor recreation uses in or reasonably accessible to urban areas or high-use areas. New Mexico boasts 30 national recreation trails for a total of 268 miles,55 as shown in green on Figure A-11.

FIGURE A-11. NATIONAL AND STATE TRAIL SYSTEMS IN NEW MEXICO

55 http://www.americantrails.org/NRTDatabase/.

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TABLE A-5. NATIONAL TRAILS IN NEW MEXICO

SYMBOL DESCRIPTION

MILES INNEW

MEXICOEl Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. Added to the National Trails System in October 2000, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior) National Historic Trail recognizes the primary route between the colonial Spanish capital of Mexico City and the Spanish provincial capitals at San Juan de Los Caballeros (1598-1600), San Gabriel (1600-1609), and Santa Fe (1610-1821). The national historic trail is administered by NPS and extends 404 miles from El Paso, Texas, to San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico.

477

Old Spanish National Historic Trail. The Old Spanish Trail was a pack mule trail linking land-locked New Mexico with coastal California between 1829 and 1848. Over this trail moved people, goods, and ideas. Recognizing the national significance of this historic long-distance trade route, in 2002 Congress designated it the Old Spanish National Historic Trail under NPS administration.

534

Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Between 1821 and 1880, the Santa Fe Trail was primarily a commercial highway connecting Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. From 1821 until 1846, it was an international commercial highway used by Mexican and American traders. In 1846, the Mexican-American War began. The Army of the West followed the Santa Fe Trail to invade New Mexico. When the Treaty of Guadalupe ended the war in 1848, the Santa Fe Trail became a national road connecting the United States to the new southwest territories. It is administered by NPS. US Highway 66. Popularly known as Route 66, or the Mother Road, US Highway 66 was commissioned from 1926 to 1985 as part of the first federal highway system. A popular Dustbowl migration route, World War II strategic military route, and postwar vacation corridor, the route is highly celebrated through literature, film, and song. The NPS administers the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which works with partners to preserve the special places and stories of the historic Route 66 corridor. Portions of the corridor serve as an interstate bicycle route with side-connecting trails. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.* The entire 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail corridor begins at the border of Mexico and extends north through New Mexico all the way to the Canadian border in Montana. Existing and proposed routes traverse a variety of USFS, NPS, BLM, state, tribal, and privately owned lands. More importantly, it crosses most of New Mexico’s spectacular ecoregions and historic landscapes: from the tops of the Rocky Mountains to the desert grasslands of the Chihuahuan Desert; to the Rio Puerco wild lands, thousand-year-old Zuni-Acoma trade routes, El Malpais National Monument, and Big Hatchet Mountains Wilderness Study Area; and to the San Pedro Parks, Chama River, Aldo Leopold, and Gila Wildernesses. It is administered by the USFS, in cooperation with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and other trails associations.

770

Butterfield Overland Trail. The proposed Butterfield Overland Trail National Historic Trail is under study by NPS to determine its eligibility to be designated by Congress as a national historic trail. This trail commemorates the routes pioneered by John Butterfield and the Butterfield Overland Stage Company as they traveled over the “ox-box route” between the eastern termini of St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, and the western terminus of San Francisco, California. Stages traveled over this route between 1858 and 1861.

* For the Continental Divide trail’s history, policies, and plans see http://www.fs.fed.us/cdt/. For detailed maps of the most current routes, see http://www.continentaldividetrail.org/links-and-resources/new-mexico-cdt/.** For more information, see the Butterfield Overland Trail Special Resource Study/Environmental Assessment

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project website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=456&projectID=33568&documentID=47027 ) .

Rio Grande TrailThe last two decades have seen increased attention on a new trail corridor that has the potential to provide connectivity across a major portion of the state. That initiative is the Rio Grande Trail.

The Rio Grande is the second largest river system in the country. Of its over 1,800 total miles, nearly 500 miles of the Rio Grande form the heart of New Mexico—the primary drainage feature and the state’s most valuable natural and cultural resource. The Rio Grande is a precious lifeline and transportation corridor that connects nature, history, culture, and communities across millennia.

One relatively newer use and benefit from the Rio Grande is recreation. The river and its bosque attract and sustain a wide variety of recreation—from hunting and fishing to river rafting, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. In many ways, human recreation in the river corridor also provides a vital connection to experiencing and appreciating the river, as well as educating the public about its past, present, and future.

In 2006, efforts accelerated to establish the Rio Grande Trail, which would roughly parallel the Rio Grande. The basic infrastructure of the trail already exists in many locations via the levee systems and informal trail networks of the irrigation districts and on some publicly owned land. In 2015, the New Mexico Legislature established the Rio Grande Trail Commission and provided limited funding to continue planning and development through House Bill 563.

A multiuse trail along the Rio Grande has the potential to replicate successful long‐distance trails in other states. Additionally, the Rio Grande Trail would provide a foundation to connect with other urban and long-distance trail systems along the proposed corridor. In addition to cost, major challenges facing the trail will be coordination between interagency, tribal, and private entities.

Recreational Trails ProgramThe New Mexico Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal reimbursement program funded through the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).56 The RTP provides funding authority to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The New Mexico Department of Transportation manages the Recreation Trails Program. Examples of trail uses include hiking; bicycling; in-line skating; equestrian use; cross-country skiing; and motorized off-road uses such as snowmobiling, motorcycling, all-terrain-vehicle riding, four-wheel driving.

The goals of the program are to:

Improve the health and quality of life for New Mexicans by increasing trail-related recreational opportunities within and around communities.

Provide funding through a transparent, accessible program to communities and government agencies for the development of recreational trails and related educational programs for a variety of users.

Fund projects that result in “on-the-ground” benefits to users.

56 MAP-21. July 1, 2012, Title 23 United States Code 206.

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Meet the federal requirements regarding expenditure of 30 percent of funds on nonmotorized trails, 30 percent on motorized trails, and 40 percent on diversified trails.

State Trails System and State Trail PlanningAccording to Section 16-3-3 of the New Mexico Statutes, “the purpose of the State Trails System Act is to provide public access to, and the enjoyment and appreciation of, the New Mexico outdoors in order to conserve, develop, and use the natural resources of the state for purposes of health and recreation. It is the intent and purpose of the State Trails System Act to encourage horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, and other recreational activities.”57

The existing New Mexico State Trails System Act was originally passed in 1973 and was intended to result in a system of designated “state trails” around New Mexico. The act, however, has barely been used since because of language that limits its implementation. Indeed, 40 years after it was passed, not a single “state trail” has been designated under the act.

The USFS, NPS, New Mexico State Parks, New Mexico Department of Tourism Scenic Byways, and local and tribal governments all have efforts under way to provide recreational and historical trails within their areas of responsibility. Within New Mexico the popularity of multiuse trails has increased the demand for more open space and trails, especially near urban areas. However, there is no statewide coordinated plan to interconnect the trails on a statewide basis. Connecting federal lands through a comprehensive road and trail network, as well as understanding recreation trends and needs at a statewide level, will require considerable coordination between agencies.

57 16‐3‐1 to 16‐3‐9 NMSA 1978

CASE STUDY—SINGLE TRACK AND NATIVE AMERICAN DANCEHow Adventure Gallup & Beyond has created a truly unique adventure mecca with a 24-hour national mountain bike race mixed with Native American cultural festivalNamed the Adventure Capital of New Mexico, Gallup is a model adventure tourism, community-based initiatives and partnerships (http://www.adventuregallup.org/). In 1999, a group of 150 community members attended a forum to define an asset-based community development program that led to a homegrown initiative around harnessing and promoting adventure tourism as an economic driver for the area. Adventure tourism is locally defined as both spectator and participatory outdoor activities in which people enjoy the natural beauty of the area—whether it’s horseback riding, fishing, ballooning, or birdwatching.For decades, Gallup was the gateway to tribal lands and thrived on cultural tourism. It was the source for authentic Native American jewelry, art, and crafts—showcased most fully by the oldest continuous New Mexico event, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. It becomes obvious that linking Gallup’s strong hospitality base and its cultural tourism niche with the outdoor opportunities of the high desert was a unique formula for success.Gallup is a special place, “where a person can ride singletrack 'til their wheels bleed, and then attend nightly Native American dances in the downtown square.” (http://www.adventuregallup.org/).] The Adventure Gallup & Beyond Board continues to harness the passion of community and its willingness to share its wondrous and diverse backyard. Its mission is to promote and use the trail and outdoor recreation venues around Gallup and McKinley County as an economic driver. Adventure Gallup & Beyond works to maintain and manage these venues so that they can sustain use over time.Gallup was awarded the USA Cycling Mountain Bike 24-Hour National Championships in 2013 and 2014. A huge honor that began with an $187,894 grant for trailhead construction and trail enhancements on the Cibola National Forest and resulted in building 26 miles of single-track trails, with the help of the Youth Conservation Corps. Great vision and partnerships led to an event that gathered 3,000 racers, spectators, and support teams with a total economic impact of $2.6 million.

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