A strong start to 2026!
In just two months, the Gulch has kicked off a strong start to 2026 with new treks, new staff, and an abundance of community partnerships. From prescribed burns with snow on the ground, to schools experiencing oddly warm temps on February day trips, we have been thrilled to get outside and connect with our community. Take a peek at some highlights from our January and February happenings!
PRESCRIBED BURN AT BASECAMP
In January, Gulch staff partnered with the Forest Stewards Guild and the New Mexico Prescribed Fire Council to burn 39 piles of excess vegetation at Basecamp. We are proud to say it was a HUGE success!
Where did all this wood come from?
We are continually thinning overgrown vegetation at Basecamp to make our forest healthier. In the last couple of years, we have conducted several thinning projects in partnership with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps and others. We’ve also cut down dead trees that posed a safety risk in high-use parts of Basecamp. We took out the good firewood, distributed it to neighbors on the Navajo Nation who use it for winter heating (in partnership with Chizh for Cheii and others), and piled the leftover wood to be burned.
Why did we burn the wood now?
We created a burn plan to light these piles once there was snow on the ground and other weather conditions were favorable. By burning this wood after a snowstorm, we had a near-zero chance of escape, and we have once again reduced our wildfire risk.
What’s next?
We will continue to monitor the piles for at least a couple of weeks, and again when it warms up, to ensure they are completely out. We will also bring in some topsoil and grass seeds to help heal the burn scars.
This project represents another step in our active stewardship of Basecamp as a nature preserve and outdoor school. We removed excess vegetation, making the forest healthier and more resilient, and removed dead vegetation that was a safety risk in our high-use areas. Thank you to all the partners who helped us make it happen!
SCHOOL TREKS ARE BACK!
Volcano Vista students at Bachechi Open Space.
January saw the launch of our school programs, and we are thrilled to be back working with a variety of schools throughout the Spring semester. Long-term partnerships with Tech Leadership and Gordon Bernell Community School will find us all over Albuquerque, working with community partners on many environmental projects.
A new partnership with Volcano Vista High School began on January 26th. Spearheaded by Community Education Coordinator, Sophia, students will spend four days in different outdoor settings and complete our PhotoVoice program. Through art and photography in natural and cultural landscapes, students will explore identity, place, and personal narrative while building technical skills in visual storytelling. With cameras in hand, youth get to experience a different way of interacting with their surrounding environment.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE DAILY: The Outdoor Office
Sometimes our staff meetings have a dedicated window to setting up tents and prepping gear for the upcoming season! Here we are in the back lot, setting up tents, cheered on by Goose.
NEW VEHICLES IN OUR FLEET
Our new van, Coyote!
We have several new vehicles in our fleet this season. Thanks to our social media engagement, our newest van is named Coyote. That brings our fleet up to 16, with the new 2025 additions Mammothand Whiptail, and the retirements of Pronghorn and Lucy. With rigorous inspections, we are dedicating time and energy to ensure our vehicles are safe, well-maintained, and ready to trek!
SUMMER 2026 UPDATES
GO Trek 2 Date Changes
Due to some enrollment logistics, we have changed the dates for GO Trek 2. We will now offer this trek from July 13-19th.
Blue Corn Trek Canceled
We have sadly decided to cancel Blue Corn Trek this coming summer and devote our recruitment energies to the other summer treks. We hope to offer this trek again in 2027! And of course, there are many other excellent treks to sign up for this summer. Click below to learn more.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING 2026 TREKS
SPRING/SUMMER AT THE GULCH: UPCOMING EVENTS
2026 is our 100th year as an organization. We have several upcoming events for our community to stay in touch with us. Below are dates to mark on your calendars.
Albuquerque Regional Rendezvous: April 19th, 2026
Our last Regional Rendezvous before the 100th Reunion!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR OUR ABQ REGIONAL RENDEZVOUS:
Volunteer Work Weekend: April 24th-26th, 2026
We normally do volunteer weekend in the fall, but this year we are moving it to the spring to prepare Basecamp for the 100th anniversary this summer! More details can be found here.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR VOLUNTEER WORK WEEKEND
100th Reunion : August 14th-16th, 2026
We are revving up for this centennial celebration. We invite you to register for the event and join us for a weekend of community and connection.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY REUNION
100th Reunion Treks : August 5th-13th/August 8th-13th, 2026
We are offering several unique treks leading up to the 100th Reunion. Join us for Archaeology Trek, Family Trek, or Flocks and Rocks this summer.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR 100th REUNION TREKS
Did you know?
Most planned gifts support our endowment, which was established in 2001 and currently stands at $2.6 million. We distribute 3-5% annually to support our programs, while the rest is invested in diversified funds that have grown at an average rate of 8% since inception. Your contributions go directly to helping our legacy live on.