March 2020 | A quick hike up a sloping, exposed hill revealed a stunning view of the Organ Mountains and across Las Cruces. The sky was a bright grey mass of clouds, promising rain tomorrow, but not quite today. Back on the hill, the tawny stretch was wide and established, allowing two of us to walk side by side. Unearthed stones neatly lined the edge of the trail holding back the rocky expanse of prickly pear cactus, creosote, mesquite and ocotillo. As we walked, Conservation Corps New Mexico’s local project partner, Edna Flores, gestured to the land we were walking through, showing us where CCNM’s local crew had worked the days before.

March 27, 2018 | The nonprofit Conservation Corps New Mexico gives young adults 18 to 25 the chance to improve public lands across southern New Mexico and West Texas. Through partnerships with AmeriCorps, Conservation Corps members contribute to conservation efforts while gaining job skills and earning education award money. Program coordinator Ben Correll said before he got involved with conservation work, he didn’t think much about public lands.