Sandia Ranger Station Celebrates National Public Lands Day With Community Open House

TIJERAS, N.M. — Local outdoor enthusiasts and mountain residents gathered at the Sandia Ranger Station Saturday morning to mark National Public Lands Day with “Celebrating the Sandias!”

Hosted in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA), the event ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., welcoming visitors for a firsthand look at local forest stewardship, recreation, and education.

Families and hikers stopped in throughout the morning to meet one-on-one with Sandia District rangers, discuss trail conditions, and connect with regional partner organizations. Young visitors took part in family-friendly educational activities and a nature-themed BINGO challenge that offered event giveaways.

Staff and volunteers also assisted travelers with route planning, trailhead maps, and self-guided excursions, highlighting nearby routes into the Sandia Mountains and access to the adjacent Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site.

The celebration coincided with increased East Mountain travel during the Turquoise Trail Studio Tour weekend, providing passersby along Highway 14 a direct opportunity to learn about ongoing conservation efforts across the district.