New Mexico publishes plan for outside recreation in state parks

SANTA FE, NM – The State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) announces the release of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for 2021-2026. The SCORP was developed with the thoughtful input of local, state and federal government agencies, outdoor recreation businesses, nonprofit organizations and interested citizens.

The SCORP provides recommendations to help outdoor recreation providers achieve a shared vision for New Mexico’s outdoor resources and identifies the economic contributions of outdoor recreation to the state and nation. The SCORP is updated every five years. These updates are a federal requirement for the state and allow New Mexico to continue receiving federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“The SCORP not only opens the door to millions of dollars in federal funding for New Mexico, it also underscores the importance of outdoor recreation as an enjoyable economic and cultural resource,” said EMNRD Cabinet Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst. “New Mexico is blessed with incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, and the SCORP demonstrates the potential for economic growth in this sector.”

The SCORP 2021-2026 includes:

• State and national outdoor recreation trends and related economic impacts;

• An inventory of the state’s outdoor recreational resources and guidance on how best to protect them;

• A vision for better integration of outdoor education into the state’s leisure and leisure offerings;

• A listing of the state’s priorities for allocating federal Land and Water Conservation Fund funding to local communities.

To learn more about the SCORP and download a copy of the final report, go to https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/statewide-comprehensive-outdoor-recreation-plan-scorp/.