Sandia Collaborative
The Sandia Collaborative aims to protect, preserve, promote, enhance and restore the landscape and watersheds of the Sandia Mountains for traditional and contemporary multiple use for current and future generations.
The Sandia Collaborative holds general membership meetings at 10:00AM on the third Tuesday of each odd-numbered months.
About Us
The Sandia Collaborative is working to:
1. Establish mutual priorities that will leverage resources and funding of all partners and stakeholders for the betterment of the Sandia Ranger District.
2. Identify collaborative projects to protect the flora, fauna, historic and cultural properties and artifacts, and watersheds.
3. Develop recommendations to manage fire risk, natural resources, and year round recreational and educational activities.
Sandia Collaborative Holds Bimonthly Meeting
May 19, 2026 – The Sandia Collaborative held its regular bimonthly Zoom meeting. The agenda can be accessed below. Minutes will be published at a later date.
Click to read agenda.
Featured speakers John Helmich from the East Mountain Wildfire Preparedness Association and Allen Saville from the Placitas Resilience & Emergency Preparedness Alliance described their organizations and efforts to enhance emergency preparedness of their neighborhoods, which combined surround the Sandia Mountains on the north and east sides. Both referred to useful resources available to everyone on their respective websites. Copies of their presentations are available by clicking on the images below.
Click to open John Helmich presentation.
Click to open Allen Saville presentation.
Sandra Arazi-Coambs, Sandia/Mountainair Zone Archaeologist, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, also provided an update on the Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project. Sandra reported the project to be running smoothly at present after some initial coordination issues between the contractor and NMDOT. A link to her presentation, which included photos of some of the impressive work to date, will be added when approved by the Forest Service.
A link to Sandra's presentation will be provided at a later date.
Click here for summaries of earlier meetings.
Forest Service Announces Stage I Fire Restrictions
May 5, 2026 — Effective Friday May 8th, the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts. See attached maps.
Forest managers consider several factors for determining fire restrictions, including current fire danger and fire activity, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture levels, availability of firefighting resources, and local, regional and national fire preparedness levels.
The purpose of these fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions. Stage 1 fire restrictions mean fires, campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves are allowed only in developed campsites and picnic areas where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided for use on the Ranger Districts.
Campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites per stage 1 fire restrictions. Stoves, lanterns or heaters fueled by propane or other liquefied petroleum fuels may be used in areas cleared of flammable materials within three feet of the device, if they meet manufacturer’s safety specifications and have on/off switches. Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings and developed recreation sites. Chainsaw use is permitted.
Click to read/download full order.
Click to enlarge/download map.
Sandia Crest Recreation Areas Closed Until January 2027
District Ranger Ken Born describing upcoming projects. Click to watch KRQE 13 feature story.
April 24, 2026 — The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands issued a closure order (03-03-05-26-02) for the Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project on the Sandia Ranger District to be enforced starting April 30, 2026. The closure protects public health and safety during mechanized thinning work. See maps attached.
Click to read/download full order.
Click to enlarge/download map.
Click to enlarge/download map.
“The forests around the Sandia Crest contain a significant number of dead trees, both standing and down. A high-severity wildfire could damage or destroy critical infrastructure because of the high fuel loading around the Crest Communication Site,” said Ken Born, Sandia District Ranger. “This project protects both public safety and critical infrastructure that serves our entire region while also providing firefighters defensible space in the event of a wildfire on the mountain.”
Click below for further details including maps of alternative hiking routes during closure.
Forest Service Preparing for Wildfire Season
April 15, 2026 – KOB 4 TV reports: U.S. Forest Service crews in New Mexico are already training for wildfire season, with daily preparation and helicopter support to assist on fires.
The U.S. Forest Service said low snowpack this year is making that preparation even more critical.
“There’s no lag time here,” Matt Rau, a fire staff officer for the U.S. Forest Service said. “And so we’re prepared as we were last year for an early start for fire season, and the potential for large fire growth is present all across the southwest this year for sure.”
Peak fire season typically hits in May and goes through late June.
Training and other preparations are taking place at the Sandia Ranger Station. Click on the image above for the full report.
Forest Service Seeking Volunteers
Volunteers needed at the Base of the Tram!
Since May of 1966 the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway has been a gateway to the most stunning views in the Sandia Mountains. For many years local Volunteer Site Hosts have been available at the Four Seasons Visitors Center at Sandia Peak to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. It was necessary to discontinue the volunteer effort during the pandemic; however, this year we are looking at establishing the volunteer effort at the Tram.
After the pandemic, the Tram changed visitor routing at the upper tram terminal such that visitors are no longer routed through the Four Seasons Visitors Center until they are ready to return. Because of this, it was felt that a better location for Site Hosts would be at the lower Tram terminal. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing information about the Sandias, you are encouraged to sign up!
As mentioned above, Site Volunteers will be based in the public area on the ground floor of the lower tram terminal. This is a busy area and is a great spot to welcome visitors and provide information about the Sandias. Volunteers can step outside to chat with folks waiting to board the tram and can move indoors during inclement weather. Visitors can step inside and chat with volunteers as well.
If interested, please contact coordinator Jamey Browning at jamey@friendsofthesandias.org.
Volunteers needed at Doc Long Interpretive Hut!
The Doc Long Picnic Area had been used for picnicking as early as 1920, when the original Crest Highway was constructed. It was named in honor of Dr. William Long, a forest pathologist, who studied tree disease in the area and was partially constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Interpretive Hut, located within the picnic area, has long been used as a place to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. For many years, it was staffed by Forest Service personnel, then switched to being staffed by local Volunteer Site Hosts, then was closed during the pandemic. Since then, a dedicated Forest Service intern, Tony Powell, renovated the hut, giving it a fresh new look and updated displays and information.
New volunteers are needed to share this little gem of an interpretive center with the public. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing the natural wonders of this area, you are encouraged to sign up!
If interested, please contact coordinator Julie Padilla at julie.padilla@usda.gov
Volunteers needed at Tijeras Pueblo!
Below is the background and capacity needs for volunteers at the historic Tijeras Pueblo site. Some of the former Friends of Tijeras Pueblo volunteers have stayed on. Many have left.
If interested, please contact coordinator Sandra Coambs at sandra.coambs@usda.gov
Click either image above to read or download pdf file.
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Get Involved
If you are interested in the Sandias, we offer many ways to become involved.