Sandia Collaborative
Sandia Collaborative
The Sandia Collaborative aims to protect, preserve, promote, enhance and restore the landscape and watersheds of the Sandia Mountains for traditional and contemporary multiple use for current and future generations.
The Sandia Collaborative holds general membership meetings at 10:00AM on the third Tuesday of each odd-numbered months.
About Us
The Sandia Collaborative is working to:
1. Establish mutual priorities that will leverage resources and funding of all partners and stakeholders for the betterment of the Sandia Ranger District.
2. Identify collaborative projects to protect the flora, fauna, historic and cultural properties and artifacts, and watersheds.
3. Develop recommendations to manage fire risk, natural resources, and year round recreational and educational activities.
Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) Network Meeting June 20
Be Very Bear Aware!
June 4, 2026 – FOSM member Lisa Tannenbaum wrote: I took a friend up to the bird log around mid-day today. She’d never been there. We noticed Doc Long was closed on the way up and I wondered aloud if it was due to bear activity. And then I made a mistake: I assured her we wouldn’t see any bears higher up.
We got to the bird log and there were precious few birds at first. But a very curious and remarkably unafraid young bear showed up within a couple of minutes. It got within about 10 feet of my friend before we noticed it and was never more than about 20 feet from me.
I did what I do every single time I see a bear: I fell completely and hopelessly in love with it. This was the first time I ever had the opportunity to take any photos though.
Does the forest service need to know about my little friend? It wasn’t aggressive at all but it also wasn’t scared of people at all. (No, I did not feed it. And I did tell it to go away. But I was pretty half-hearted about that part.)
…Don’t know (about mama bear). My friend and I definitely kept looking for her. The little dude got spooked early on and bounded off — then came back a few minutes later, from a slightly different direction, which is when my friend noticed it awfully close to her.
We did beat a hasty retreat, both times, but I crept back for some shots. Then an intrepid photographer came along and barely paused when we told him there was a bear there. I followed him and looked over his shoulder just in time to see the bear scoot down the entire length of the log, as if it was a kid at a water park. A great moment.
Canyon Young, Sandia Ranger District Trails & Wilderness Program Manager, responded:
This is an incredible photo!
I’m glad to hear the bear wasn’t aggressive, but I will say that it getting as close to you as it did without fear is not normal/healthy behavior for a black bear.
I saw a large bear while trail running on 10K South between Tree Spring and the ski area earlier this week, and it jumped up and ran away as soon as it saw me. This is the type of behavior we want to see, not because we don’t enjoy seeing them around, but rather because lack of this healthy fear of humans often leads them into mischief that can end in them being euthanized, which none of us want.
If I ever encounter a bear (happens all the time as a trail runner) that sees me and hesitates to run away even for a few seconds, I always clap my hands and yell at it, even if I sense no apparent threat. Again, this is not because I dislike bears in the slightest, but rather because I want to reinforce their natural fear of humans so that they stay safe. I would encourage everyone to do the same. (emphasis added)
Having lived here my whole life, I’ve seen a very clear pattern of spiked bear sightings and bear-human conflict during particularly dry late springs/early summers before the arrival of the monsoons. I would assume this is due to stunted forage growth in the more remote areas which bears prefer to occupy during more “normal” precipitation years. I’d encourage everyone to be situationally aware out there, and ideally do your part to keep these critters safe!
Forest Service Offering Second Opportunity for Docent Training to Support Tijeras Pueblo
May 22, 2026 — Sandra Arazi-Coambs, Sandia/Mountainair Zone Archaeologist, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands announced: SAVE THE DATE for second Level 1 Docent training for folks interested in volunteering at the Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site! Please pass along to anyone who might be interested or for anyone who missed it the first time around, email directly (sandra.coambs@usda.gov) if you are interested in participating!
Click to enlarge either image.
Sandia Collaborative Holds Bimonthly Meeting
May 19, 2026 – The Sandia Collaborative held its regular bimonthly Zoom meeting. The agenda and meeting summary can be accessed below.
Click to read agenda.
Click to read summary.
Featured speakers John Helmich from the East Mountain Wildfire Preparedness Association and Allen Saville from the Placitas Resilience & Emergency Preparedness Alliance described their organizations and efforts to enhance emergency preparedness of their neighborhoods, which combined surround the Sandia Mountains on the north and east sides. Both referred to useful resources available to everyone on their respective websites. Copies of their presentations are available by clicking on the images below.
Click to open John Helmich presentation.
Click to open Allen Saville presentation.
Sandra Arazi-Coambs, Sandia/Mountainair Zone Archaeologist, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, also provided an update on the Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project. Sandra reported the project to be running smoothly at present after some initial coordination issues between the contractor and NMDOT. A link to her presentation, which included photos of some of the impressive work to date, will be added when approved by the Forest Service.
A link to Sandra's presentation will be provided at a later date.
Click here for summaries of earlier meetings.
Forest Service Announces Stage I Fire Restrictions
May 5, 2026 — Effective Friday May 8th, the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Mt. Taylor, Magdalena, Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts. See attached maps.
Forest managers consider several factors for determining fire restrictions, including current fire danger and fire activity, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture levels, availability of firefighting resources, and local, regional and national fire preparedness levels.
The purpose of these fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions. Stage 1 fire restrictions mean fires, campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves are allowed only in developed campsites and picnic areas where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided for use on the Ranger Districts.
Campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites per stage 1 fire restrictions. Stoves, lanterns or heaters fueled by propane or other liquefied petroleum fuels may be used in areas cleared of flammable materials within three feet of the device, if they meet manufacturer’s safety specifications and have on/off switches. Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings and developed recreation sites. Chainsaw use is permitted.
Click to read/download full order.
Click to enlarge/download map.
Sandia Crest Recreation Areas Closed Until January 2027
District Ranger Ken Born describing upcoming projects. Click to watch KRQE 13 feature story.
April 24, 2026 — The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands issued a closure order (03-03-05-26-02) for the Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuels Reduction Project on the Sandia Ranger District to be enforced starting April 30, 2026. The closure protects public health and safety during mechanized thinning work. See maps attached.
Click to read/download full order.
Click to enlarge/download map.
Click to enlarge/download map.
Click for closure details and alternate hiking routes during closure.
Forest Service Preparing for Wildfire Season
April 15, 2026 – KOB 4 TV reports: U.S. Forest Service crews in New Mexico are already training for wildfire season, with daily preparation and helicopter support to assist on fires.
The U.S. Forest Service said low snowpack this year is making that preparation even more critical.
“There’s no lag time here,” Matt Rau, a fire staff officer for the U.S. Forest Service said. “And so we’re prepared as we were last year for an early start for fire season, and the potential for large fire growth is present all across the southwest this year for sure.”
Peak fire season typically hits in May and goes through late June.
Training and other preparations are taking place at the Sandia Ranger Station. Click on the image above for the full report.
Forest Service Seeking Volunteers
Volunteers needed at the Base of the Tram!
Since May of 1966 the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway has been a gateway to the most stunning views in the Sandia Mountains. For many years local Volunteer Site Hosts have been available at the Four Seasons Visitors Center at Sandia Peak to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. It was necessary to discontinue the volunteer effort during the pandemic; however, this year we are looking at establishing the volunteer effort at the Tram.
After the pandemic, the Tram changed visitor routing at the upper tram terminal such that visitors are no longer routed through the Four Seasons Visitors Center until they are ready to return. Because of this, it was felt that a better location for Site Hosts would be at the lower Tram terminal. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing information about the Sandias, you are encouraged to sign up!
As mentioned above, Site Volunteers will be based in the public area on the ground floor of the lower tram terminal. This is a busy area and is a great spot to welcome visitors and provide information about the Sandias. Volunteers can step outside to chat with folks waiting to board the tram and can move indoors during inclement weather. Visitors can step inside and chat with volunteers as well.
If interested, please contact coordinator Jamey Browning at jamey@friendsofthesandias.org.
Volunteers needed at Doc Long Interpretive Hut!
The Doc Long Picnic Area had been used for picnicking as early as 1920, when the original Crest Highway was constructed. It was named in honor of Dr. William Long, a forest pathologist, who studied tree disease in the area and was partially constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Interpretive Hut, located within the picnic area, has long been used as a place to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. For many years, it was staffed by Forest Service personnel, then switched to being staffed by local Volunteer Site Hosts, then was closed during the pandemic. Since then, a dedicated Forest Service intern, Tony Powell, renovated the hut, giving it a fresh new look and updated displays and information.
New volunteers are needed to share this little gem of an interpretive center with the public. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing the natural wonders of this area, you are encouraged to sign up!
If interested, please contact coordinator Julie Padilla at julie.padilla@usda.gov
Volunteers needed at Tijeras Pueblo!
Below is the background and capacity needs for volunteers at the historic Tijeras Pueblo site. Some of the former Friends of Tijeras Pueblo volunteers have stayed on. Many have left.
If interested, please contact coordinator Sandra Coambs at sandra.coambs@usda.gov
Click either image above to read or download pdf file.
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Get Involved
If you are interested in the Sandias, we offer many ways to become involved.