House Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard presents a state proclamation honoring Craig Martin, center, for his volunteer service to the community for open space and trails, and furthermore declares Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 as ‘Craig Martin Day’ in Los Alamos County (co-presented with Councilor Antonio Maggiore, right, on behalf of the County Council and accepted by Craig Martin at Tuesday’s Council Meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, County Councilor Antonio Maggiore, June Martin, Craig Martin and House Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council Tuesday evening proclaimed anuary 11, 2017 as “Craig Martin Day” in Los Alamos County.
Proclamation:
Proclamation honoring Craig Martin for his volunteer service to the community for open space and trails, and furthermore declaring Wednesday, January 11, 2017 as “Craig Martin Day” in Los Alamos County (co-presented with State Rep. Stephanie Garcia-Richards and the Council, and accepted by Craig Martin)
WHEREAS: Los Alamos County relies on hundreds of hard-working, dedicated volunteers to assist in keeping top-notch trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and snow-shoeing in excellent condition across County and bordering Santa Fe National Forest lands, and local long-time resident Craig Martin is at the top of that volunteers list; and
WHEREAS: As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Craig has spent decades being our unofficial “Spokesman for the Trails” through his books, articles, teaching and events – providing us with educational hikes and thoughtful leadership on a variety of issues from trail-friendly signage to the design of trail-head kiosks, maps, brochures and other public outreach tools – always with the highest interest in promoting a sustainable trail system for everyone to enjoy; and
WHEREAS: Craig was one of the earliest advocates for the creation of what is today known as the Canyon Rim Trail – developing sketches, routing plans and pitching his idea for a continuous trail that could be paved and easily accessible to every age and use – a concept that the Council adopted and funded during the time Craig was the County’s Open Space Specialist from 2003 until he retired in 2015; Phase 2 of the Canyon Rim Trail was opened December 21st, bringing his vision of an east to west trail connection one hike closer to reality; and
WHEREAS: By his own example, Craig promotes active participation from our community in caring for the trails through time, team-work and sweat equity. Craig organized volunteers shortly after the devastating Cerro Grande Fire in May 2000, the after-fire floods of 2001, and again after the terrible Las Conchas Wildfire in June 2011 to clean, clear, rebuild, repair and re-seed our burned forests and damaged trails on the mesas and in the canyons around Los Alamos. Today, even though Craig is officially retired, he continues working full time, supporting the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Youth Conservation Corps, the American Conservation Experience, Bandelier, Valles Caldera and Forest Service Staff as well as assisting the County’s Open Space crews with repairing trails, improving trails and building new trails; and
WHEREAS: Craig has earned the respect and gratitude of fellow volunteers, trail enthusiasts and our community because of his generous donation of time, passion and talent. It’s no surprise to us that he was recently awarded the special “Golden Pulaski Award” from the Santa Fe National Forest for outstanding volunteer service over several decades – a well-deserved honor;
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim Wednesday, January 11, 2017 as “CRAIG MARTIN DAY” in Los Alamos County, and ask our community to join us in celebrating Craig and his special recognition award honoring his years of volunteer service. May there be many more “happy trails” for Craig to follow (or build) in the years to come.
