Dripping Springs to welcome docents in summer 2021

LAS CRUCES - Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks is launching a docent program at Dripping Springs Natural Area.

The docents will be available to lead hikes for students and families, as well as answer questions for visitors before and after they hit the trails at the base of the Organ Mountains.

Friends of OMDP stated in a news release that visitation at the Dripping Spring has increased substantially and shows no signs of slowing. From 2014 to 2019, visitor days at Dripping Springs increased from 23,143 to 115,360, the group stated.

“This program fulfills a long-term goal of the Friends to provide a unique visitor experience at Dripping Springs," said Patrick Nolan, executive director of Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. "We are so grateful for the support from our local Bureau of Land Management office to make this dream a reality.”

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U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, as well as U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small each shared their appreciation for the program in the Friends of OMDP news release.

“Our docents will help preserve the area’s strong heritage and pass down generations of knowledge, in addition to sharing our public lands with New Mexicans and those visiting from across the country," Torres Small said.

Through the end of the year, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks will begin the process of recruiting docent instructors and volunteers. The first class will be working by the summer of 2021. Instructors will receive a stipend for their time. To learn more about how to get involved as an instructor or docent, email Nolan at director@organmtnfriends.org.