For Immediate Release January 7th , 2016
Contact: Carrie Hamblen, Executive Director
Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce
carrie@nmgreenchamber.com
575-323-1575
Or
Kevin Bixby, Executive Director
Southwest Environmental Center
kevin@wildmesquite.org
575-522-5552
LAS CRUCES—Designed to appeal to hikers of all levels, the newly reprinted Day Hikes and Nature Walks in the Las Cruces-El Paso area describes 45 day trips into the mountains, canyons, and desert of the region, many of which are within the new Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks (OMDP) National Monument.
Written by local naturalist and hiker Greg Magee and published by the Southwest Environmental Center (SWEC), Day Hikes and Nature Walks contains general information about the regions’ natural and cultural history and is the most comprehensive hiking guide for the Paso del Norte region. Cooke’s Peak, the Florida Mountains, Rio Bosque, Dog Canyon, Alamo Mountain (on Otero Mesa), and numerous hikes each in the Organ and Franklin Mountains are just a few of the many great hikes in the book. The revised edition features new hikes not included in previous editions.
In partnership with the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce (LCGCC), SWEC will host a reception on Tuesday, January 12th at 6:30pm. The event will feature a short presentation by Magee about the book, answer questions, and sign purchased copies. There will also be brief talks from staff at the Bureau of Land Management, the Green Chamber, and SWEC.
Kevin Bixby, Executive Director for SWEC, is very excited about the newest edition of the hiking guide. “The work that Greg and volunteers have put into compiling important details for the dozens of beautiful trails in southern New Mexico and West Texas is tremendous. We’re so lucky to be able to go hiking year-round around here, and this book is the perfect way to discover some of the many natural treasures we have right here in our backyard.”
Carrie Hamblen, the Executive Director of LCGCC, says the Hiking Guide is another example of how community members and visitors to the area can enjoy our National Monument. She says, “Permanent protection of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks (OMDP) area is an investment in the sustainability of New Mexico’s economy and ensures that our region’s unique role as the crossroads of southern New Mexico’s heritage will continue and grow into the future.” Hamblen adds the reception is a great opportunity to celebrate the Monument, meet the author, enjoy local food and drink, and for businesses to receive free copies of the OMDP Marketing Toolkit.
The reception takes place at the offices of SWEC, 275 N. Main Street from 6:30 to 8pm and will have free food from Andele’s, beer from High Desert, and non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP’s are appreciated at carrie@nmgreenchamber.com or at 575-323-1575.
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