The Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance was formed by hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers that are enthusiastic about trails and the lands where they exist. This group realized we must maintain and protect what we love, hence SNMTA was formed in 2014. SNMTA recognizes that our vision and mission cannot be accomplished by one person or one organization, but an alliance of different users, organizations, and land managers working together to improve and protect trails and lands. Together we can connect people to the trails and in the process maintain and build these same trails and bring our community a little closer together.
Our Vision:
Connecting communities through trails and the outdoors.
Our Mission:
Coordinating user groups to preserve and enhance trail and outdoor recreation opportunities in Southern New Mexico, West Texas and borderland region
Mission Strategy:
To achieve the vision and mission, the alliance will create partnerships with groups of common interest in trails, outdoor recreation, healthy living and sustainable community development. Through these partnerships; inspire, motivate, and lead communities to preserve, develop, maintain, and promote the use of trails and outdoor recreation. Provide a central resource for all things involving trails including: events, volunteer trail work, fundraising for trails, trail maps and guides, and trail, recreation and conservation policies. Foster trail use and connectivity by helping groups and the public direct trail events and link existing and new trail systems together. Through these connections and partnerships, show the links between communities and the environment around them, self powered travel, exercise, healthy living, the outdoors and quality of life.
Goals:
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- Create a resource for all things trails and outdoor recreation
- 501 c3 non-profit status
- Partner with agencies, organizations and local groups to realize the mission and vision
- Create trail adoption and maintenance program
- Organize trail race series to showcase trails and raise funds for trail work
- Create a trail guide for the Las Cruces, West Texas and Southern New Mexico area
- Identify potential new trail routes and write proposal for development
- Organize trail work events
- Allow for growth of the alliance as needed
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Accomplishments:
2014
- SNMTA formed
2015
- Created Monumental Trails program with the Friends of Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks
- Adopted section of the Continental Divide Trail
2016
- Trail Solutions Master Trail Building Certification
2017
- Formally took over the Sierra Vista Trail Runs as the main SNMTA fundraiser and community event
- International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Trail Building Training
- American Conservation Experience (ACE) Trail Building Training
- Received National Park Service Rivers, Trails, Conservation Assistance Program Grant
2018
- Complete Girlfriend trail re-route at Tortugas Mountain with local Boy Scout Troop
- Received American Hiking Society National Trails Fund grant for trail work on the Sierra Vista Trail – Vado
Founders and Board:
The Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance was founded by local trail runners and mountain bikers in the Spring of 2014.
SNMTA Board of Directors:
Dan Carter – President, co-founder
Eugene Smith – Vice President, co-founder
Peter Livingstone – Secretary, co-founder
Michael Bursum – Treasurer, co-founder
Jesse Johnson – Board member, co-founder
Phil Simpson – Board member
Peter Mattox – Past board member and co-founder