Volunteers removing a portion of the sandbag berm behind the Bond Cabin on National Public Lands Day Saturday, Sept. 24 in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/VCNP

VCNP News:

Twenty three volunteers assisted by two National Park Service support staff worked on two projects on National Public Lands Day Saturday, Sept. 24. These volunteers made the morning very successful.

Volunteers picked up litter along N.M. 4, which thankfully was less than expected, and removed about half of the sandbag berm behind the Bond Cabin.

The sandbags were put in place in 2013 after the Thompson Ridge Fire to prevent damage to the historic district from flooding. Sandbags were emptied and the bags separated from the sand for proper waste disposal.

Lunch for volunteers and staff was provided by the park’s Friends group, Los Amigos de Valles Caldera, providing a wonderful end to the event.

Volunteers were assisted in the work by an electric wheelbarrow and a front end loader, which relocated the sand to a designated area to await removal.

Several thousand sandbags have been protecting the historic district and await removal.

More volunteer opportunities are needed to get all of the bags removed and return the district to a natural landscape.

About Valles Caldera National Preserve:

Valles Caldera National Preserve is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. The park store, operated by Los Amigos de Valles, is open during this time period. Preserve entrance fees are currently waived.