OJO CALIENTE, NM — Coming up on Thursday, October 11th, is the second of a two-part workshop series on Rock Climbing in the Carson National Forest. This workshop will focus on climbing within the West Zone (Tres Piedras, El Rito, and Canjilon Ranger Districts) of the Carson National Forest.  The first workshop focused on the east side of the Forest.

This workshop series is facilitated by the National Forest Foundation, a Forest Service partner and neutral facilitator. The aim of the workshops is to build an understanding of regulations and land use ethics and opportunities related to rock climbing on the public lands of the Carson National Forest, and create a respectful dialogue among our community members of recreationists, outfitters and local residents. Success will result in strategies to find sustainable solutions related to rock climbing and access across the Carson National Forest.

The issues to be discussed in the workshop include:

·  As the number of rock climbers on the Carson National Forest increases, convene climbers, outfitters/guides, local residents, businesses, and the Forest Service to build mutual understanding of perspectives on rock climbing in existing and desired climbing areas.

· Generate comprehension of Carson National Forest rock climbing, allowances, and points of access.

· Pursue Carson National Forest stewardship ethics among the rock climbers, the businesses that serve them, and the communities near the rock climbing areas.

· Recognize the local economic benefits from the rock climbing recreational use.

·  Work collaboratively to develop strategies to address priority issues and resolve possible conflicts.

The workshop will take place at the Mesa Vista Consolidated School campus in the auditorium in Ojo Caliente on Thursday, October 11th, from 5-7:30 p.m. The Mesa Vista Consolidated School campus is just off Hwy 111, approximately 1 mile northwest of the Hwy 285/111 junction.

If possible, please RSVP with Ben Irey, National Forest Foundation at [email protected]; 406-546-3329. You can also register at: https://nff.wildapricot.org/event-2985051.  Participants are also welcome to show up the day of the workshop without prior registration.

As the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation works with the agency to promote the health and public enjoyment of our 193-million-acre National Forest System. The National Forest Foundation believes that communities should play a leading role in determining the future of our National Forests and Grasslands, and focuses on connecting these communities, and the people who comprise them, to the tools, knowledge, and funding to become active and devoted stewards of their public lands.

For more information, please contact Eric Garner at the Questa Ranger District office via phone at:  575-586-0520 or via email at: [email protected]