Sandia Collaborative
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 Bimonthly Meeting Held on July 21
The Sandia Collaborative bimonthly Zoom meeting was held on July 21. The agenda can be accessed below. Rather than a featured speaker, the meeting consisted of updates from member organizations.
Ken Born and Alfred Garcia of Sandia Ranger District gave positive reports of progress on Forest Service fuel-reduction projects underway in the Sandias. Tree thinning work in the Switchback project (see below) is nearing completion despite the contractor having to move personnel and equipment elsewhere for fire fighting efforts. Alfred expects the contractor to remove the road block above 10K Trailhead in the next week or so. However, closure order 03-03-05-26-02 will remain in effect with Ellis Trailhead and Sandia Crest parking lots blocked. The contractor will return in the fall to complete the project.
Presentations by Ken and Alfred can be viewed below. Susan Ostlie's detailed summary of the meeting will be added soon.
Click to read agenda.
Click to view Ken Born presentation.
Click to view Alfred Garcia presentation.
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.
Click for closure details and alternate hiking routes during closure.
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!
Volunteer Steve Roholt of Friends of the Sandia Mountains at table with maps and other handouts on ground floor of lower Tram terminal.
Volunteers are 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 chat with folks waiting to board the tram and move indoors during inclement weather.
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.