CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, local residents will have an opportunity to mark the occasion by helping care for one of Cibola County’s most recognizable public landscapes.
The Bureau of Land Management will host a special America 250 National Public Lands Day volunteer event Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at El Malpais National Conservation Area.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will give volunteers the chance to take part in hands-on stewardship work at El Malpais. Participants may choose between two projects: repairing fences at Cebolla Canyon or assisting with trail maintenance on the Narrows Rim Trail.
No prior experience is required.
“Join the Bureau of Land Management as we celebrate National Public Lands Day and America’s 250th anniversary by volunteering at El Malpais National Conservation Area,” Park Ranger Evie Forster wrote in the announcement.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the El Malpais Ranger Station when they arrive. After check-in, groups will travel to their assigned project sites.
Participants should bring sun protection, sturdy footwear, plenty of water and snacks. The work will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be prepared for late September conditions in western New Mexico.
National Public Lands Day is one of the country’s largest single-day volunteer efforts focused on public lands. This year’s local event also connects that tradition of service to America 250, the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
For Cibola County, the event offers a practical way to recognize that milestone close to home. El Malpais National Conservation Area includes lava flows, sandstone bluffs, trails, wildlife habitat and cultural landscapes that draw residents and visitors throughout the year.
Anyone interested in volunteering or seeking more information may contact Evie Forster by email at ebforster@blm.gov.
The volunteer event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at El Malpais National Conservation Area.