BLM Carlsbad Plans National Public Lands Day Volunteer Events

The Bureau of Land Management Carlsbad Field Office is celebrating National Public Lands Day by inviting volunteers to help improve three recreation areas near Carlsbad. The events will take place at the following locations and times.

• La Cueva Non-motorized Trail System covers approximately 2,200 acres and contains more than 34 miles of maintained trails. The BLM plans a cleanup and trail maintenance event in coordination with the Cavern City Trail Keepers. The event will take place at the Dark Canyon trailhead from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 25. The geographic coordinates are 32.293494, -104.319495.

• The Hackberry Lake Off-Highway Vehicle Use Area features rolling stabilized dune lands and cliffs. The BLM plans a cleanup from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 26, and participants will meet at the OHV staging area. The geographic coordinates are 32.618238, -103.943516.

• Loco Lagoon (known locally as Conoco Lake) is an artificial lake located near Maljamar, N.M. Birders, fishermen, and workers frequent it looking for a quiet escape. The BLM plans trail maintenance using loppers, shovels, and other hand tools from 8 a.m. to noon on September 27. Please note that Google Maps lists the Loco Lagoon location as “Conoco Pond.” The geographical coordinates are 32.809666, -103.750481.

Participants should wear hats, boots, sunscreen, and bug repellent. The BLM will provide trash bags, personal protective equipment, tools, water, and snacks.

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day, volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, the event brings together thousands of volunteers to improve public lands. This year’s theme is “Caring for our Shared America,” which emphasizes that what we share, we must also care for together.

For more information, contact BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Ashley Shreves at 575-234-5992 or ashreves@blm.gov. To learn about other National Public Lands Day events, visit https://www.blm.gov/national-public-lands-day.

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.