Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks (OMDP)
Anniversary Week
Schedule of Activities
May 15 – 23, 2015
Friday, May 15
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
OMDP Kickoff Celebration: featuring a tribal blessing, the unveiling of the OMDP Achievement badge for the Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest, and featuring booths and information related to the National Monument as well as handouts that promote the entire week of activities. The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance will present special certificates celebrating local citizens who helped over the nine year effort to protect the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. The event will culminate with a “class picture” taken of all of the groups and individuals responsible for the grassroots effort to get the Monument designation.
Co-sponsored by: Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
Location: New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011
Cost: Free
Saturday, May 16
8:00 am – 12:30pm
OMDP Daytime Activities: at Dripping Springs Natural Area. Features a birdwalk, Meet the Hermit of La Cueva (Scott Green from the NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum), hike to the Eugene Van Patton Ruins, and a talk on the geology of the monument. The event ends with a special 15 year birthday celebration of the National Conservation Lands at the Dripping Springs Visitor’s Center where we’ll have cake and hands-on activities for kids.
Sponsored by: Bureau of Land Management
Location: Dripping Springs Natural Area, Dripping Springs Road.
Cost: No fees charged May 16th and 17th at Dripping Springs or Aguirre Springs
Saturday, May 16
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
OMDP Big Game Cookout: at the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park. Sponsored by the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. The keynote speaker will be Senator Martin Heinrich and will feature elk tacos cooked on discos, beer from High Desert, live music, and more.
Sponsored by: New Mexico Wildlife Federation
Location: Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, 5000 Calle Del Norte, Mesilla, NM 88046
Cost: $5.00 Day use fees may apply
Sunday, May 17
9:00 am – 10:00 am
OMDP Interfaith Service: at Dripping Springs. Religious leaders from the community will come together to host an interfaith service at the La Cueva amphitheater.
Sponsored by: Café
Location: Dripping Springs Natural Area, Dripping Springs Road.
Cost: No fees charged May 16th and 17th at Dripping Springs or Aguirre Springs
Monday, May 18
1:00 pm
OMDP Proclamation: at City of Las Cruces City Hall. The Mayor and councilors will read a proclamation declaring May 15th through the 22nd OMDP Celebration Week.
Location: Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Cost: Free and open to the public
Tuesday, May 19
5:30 pm
Free Talk: safety in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Shaunna Foster will speak from her experience as a volunteer with Doña Ana County Search and Rescue, and hike leader around the area, including OMDP. She will give a talk on proper safety while hiking in Monument.
Sponsored by: Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce
Location: Community Enterprise Center Classroom, 125 N. Main Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Cost: Free and open to the public
Wednesday, May 20
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
OMDP Fiesta in the Mesilla Plaza: sponsored by the town of Mesilla, they will host a community celebration in the Plaza featuring food trucks, live music, mariachis, and Mesilleros speaking about the importance of the monument to the community.
Sponsored by: The Town of Mesilla
Location: Mesilla Plaza
Cost: Free and open to the public
Thursday, May 21
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
OMDP Green Drinks and Art Show: at the West End Art Depot (WEAD). The art show and Green Drinks networking at WEAD will feature locally created artwork, celebrating the national monument, plus food and drinks for local businesses who want to celebrate OMDP and network with one another.
Sponsored by: The Friends of the Organ Mountains, the West End Art Depot, and the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce
Location: West End Art Depot, 401 N. Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM 88005
Cost: Free and open to the public
Friday, May 22
7:00 pm
OMDP Monumental Opening Night: for the Las Cruces Vaqueros Baseball Team. The Pecos league team, the Vaqueros, will have a “Monumental” opening night at Apodaca Park. Attendees will receive OMDP information, LCGCC will have an opportunity to speak to the crowd, and LCGCC Executive Director Carrie Hamblen is scheduled to throw in the first pitch.
Co-Sponsored by: The Las Cruces Vaqueros and the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce
Location: Apodaca Park, 801 E. Madrid, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Cost: Tickets are $6 per person.
Saturday, May 23
Time: TBD. Early morning preferred
Celebrate the First Anniversary of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument by hiking to the top of Picacho Peak Saturday morning, May 23rd. There is a 360 degree view of the entire National Monument. This is a moderately difficult hike that requires 700 feet of vertical elevation gain. Bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and sturdy footwear. Call Paul Pierce at 505-670-7653 or e-mail to pablopaddlec@gmail.com to register. E-mail contact is preferred.
Sponsored by: The Sierra Clulb
Location: Meeting place to be determined upon registration
Cost: Free and open to the public
More information on any of these events can be found by visiting LocalLasCruces.com/OMDPweek or by calling 575-323-1575.