OEF News:
SANTA FE — The Coalition for the Outdoor Equity Fund New Mexico is celebrating a major victory for young people, families, and communities across the state following the Legislature and Governor’s allocation of $3.5 million for the Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) in the FY27 budget. This historic investment reaffirms New Mexico’s national leadership as the first state to create an Outdoor Equity Fund.
Since its inception, the Outdoor Equity Fund has delivered more than $8.6 million in funding to 188 organizations serving 23 counties, connecting over 106,000 youth—especially from Tribal, rural, and underserved communities—to meaningful outdoor experiences.
“New Mexico continues to lead the nation in recognizing that access to the outdoors is not a luxury—it is essential to youth well-being, workforce development, and community health,” said Patrick Nolan, Executive Director, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. “We are deeply grateful to the Legislature and Governor for investing in a program that strengthens our communities while protecting and elevating the lands that define our state.”
Since its creation, the Outdoor Equity Fund has supported programs that introduce youth to hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, conservation, agriculture, outdoor education, and hands-on restoration projects—igniting pathways into careers in land stewardship, science, public service, and outdoor recreation.
“This funding ensures that young people who may have never seen themselves in conservation or outdoor careers now have a clear pathway forward,” said Teresa Ana Martinez, Executive Director of Continental Divide Trail Coalition “Outdoor service builds confidence, leadership, and real workforce skills. We are thankful that our state recognizes the long-term return on investing in youth.”
For Tribal communities, OEF funding has been transformative in reconnecting young people to ancestral lands, traditional practices, and cultural teachings.
“Outdoor equity is about more than recreation—it’s about identity, responsibility, and healing,” said Chas Robles, Executive Director of Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. “This investment supports programs that reconnect Indigenous youth to their lands, languages, and lifeways while opening doors to meaningful careers. We thank our lawmakers for recognizing the importance of that work.”
The demand for Outdoor Equity Fund grants has grown year after year, reflecting strong community interest and a statewide commitment to ensuring all young people—regardless of geography or income—can safely access New Mexico’s lands and waters.
“At Nature Niños, we see firsthand how transformative a first outdoor experience can be,” said Sarah Candelaria, Founder and Executive Director of Nature Ninos. “When young people feel welcomed in nature, they build confidence, belonging, and curiosity about future careers. This funding allows us to continue expanding access and growing the next generation of conservationists.”
Organizations across southern New Mexico also emphasized the economic and community impacts of sustained outdoor investment.
“Investing in outdoor equity ensures all New Mexico youth have the freedom and opportunity to experience the outdoors, while strengthening the economy and building the next generation of stewards for our public lands,” said Michael Casaus, New Mexico state director at The Wilderness Society. “We are grateful to our elected leaders for understanding that this investment will benefit our communities for generations.”
Advocates also noted that the allocation reflects New Mexico’s bold leadership in shaping what community-led conservation looks like nationwide.
“New Mexico set the standard when it created the first Outdoor Equity Fund in the country,” said Adrian Angulo, campaigns and programs director for Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project. “This $3.5 million investment keeps us at the forefront of ensuring that conservation is about people as much as it is about land.”
Leaders at the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division emphasized the significance of this investment in expanding access and meeting growing demand for outdoor opportunities across the state.
“The Outdoor Equity Fund continues to demonstrate what’s possible when we invest directly in New Mexico’s youth and communities,” said Evan Pilling, Grants Coordinator for the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division. “This historic investment allows us to reach more young people across the state—especially those who have traditionally faced barriers to outdoor access—while supporting programs that foster stewardship, well-being, and long-term connections to our public lands.”
The Coalition also recognized the broader movement to connect youth to the outdoors as part of a just and thriving future for the state. While celebrating the FY27 allocation, coalition members reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the work of expanding access and meeting growing demand across the state.
“We are proud of this progress,” said Eli Cuna, executive director for The Semilla Project. “And we look forward to continuing to work alongside lawmakers, communities, and partners to ensure that New Mexico remains a national leader in outdoor equity.”