OUR IMPACT
Protecting the Río Grande del Norte takes more than a designation. It takes people, partnerships, and a commitment to the land and community for generations to come.
Friends of the Río Grande del Norte works across four interconnected areas — Conservation, Advocacy, Community, and Youth Outdoor Academy — to protect the Monument, strengthen connections to public lands, and build a community of people invested in its future.
CONSERVATION
Protecting and restoring the places we love.
Our conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring the lands, waters, wildlife, and cultural resources of the Río Grande del Norte through hands-on stewardship and collaborative projects.
Our work includes trail maintenance and safety, habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, wildfire resilience, and innovative projects like virtual fencing that support both healthy ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
ADVOCACY
Making sure local voices have a say in the future of the Monument.
Our advocacy efforts focus on protecting the Río Grande del Norte by engaging in land management decisions, educating our community, and amplifying local voices in decisions that affect the Monument.
We work to defend existing protections, advocate for expanded conservation, participate in public land planning, and connect our community with opportunities to take action.
COMMUNITY
Building connections between people and place.
Our community efforts focus on connecting people to the Río Grande del Norte through education, events, partnerships, and opportunities for meaningful stewardship.
From community events and volunteer days to outdoor skills programs, partnerships, and opportunities to engage with land managers, we create ways for people to experience the Monument and become active participants in its future.
OUTDOOR ACADEMY
Connecting young people to the outdoors and their own potential.
Our Outdoor Academy provides local youth with hands-on experiences, mentorship, outdoor skills, and opportunities to build lasting connections with the Río Grande del Norte.
Through fishing, rafting, field experiences, stewardship projects, and career pathways, we help young people develop confidence, discover new possibilities, and see themselves as stewards and future leaders of their public lands.
