Preserving the Rio Grande
Environment New Mexico helps win new trail funds
The Rio Grande is one of New Mexico’s most beautiful—and most frequently overlooked—natural treasures. Environment New Mexico is working to bring the Rio Grande the admiration and appreciation it deserves by rallying support for a multi-use trail, stretching along the length of the Rio Grande through New Mexico.
During the most recent legislative session, Environment New Mexico worked to secure more than $120,000 in funding that will help bring this trail to life.
Unfortunately, these funds are only a small portion of what is needed. There is still no sustained source of state funding for this and other trails. Environment New Mexico has been working to rally public and legislative support for the Rio Grande Trail, to ensure a long-term funding solution for the trail.
Making the case for dedicated funding
In January, Environment New Mexico released a new report, “Blazing a Trail: The Benefits of a Rio Grande Trail in New Mexico.” The report highlights the benefits of a trail along the Rio Grande and advocates for state trail funding.
Trail-related recreation is the most popular outdoor activity in the state—41 percent of New Mexicans participate in some form of trail activity every year. Owing to the popularity of trails, the State Parks Department set in motion the ambitious plan to construct a statewide multi-use Rio Grande Trail.
The trail will be similar to existing river trails in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. The State Parks Department has already begun developing river trail in five state parks along the southern stretch of the Rio Grande, which will eventually connect with the greater Rio Grande Trail.
The trail will provide hundreds of miles of new trail to hikers, bikers and joggers. Birdwatchers would have access to the bird-rich bosque and kayakers and canoeists would have numerous put-in spots from which to launch their crafts.
New Mexico’s economy would also benefit from a new trail along the Rio Grande. Outdoor recreation retail sales account for 4.6 percent of gross state product. With support from local chambers of commerce and outdoor suppliers, the Rio Grande Trail can contribute to the state’s tourism sector and the $3.8 billion outdoor recreation industry.
“There’s no doubt the Rio Grande Trail will boost tourism and energize our economy,” said Environment New Mexico Associate Randall Coleman. “What’s more, though, it will help reconnect people to this river, which is such an important part of New Mexico’s cultural, historic and environmental identity.”
The State Parks Department has commissioned a corridor study to identify and evaluate potential trail locations. Several stakeholder meetings, public workshops and surveys will be conducted in the coming months to solicit community input.
