Supporting Sandia Ranger District Since 1997

Whether you are a hiker, mountain biker, cross-country skier, trail runner, or you just enjoy being in the Sandias, you know that our mountains are one of nature’s special gifts. Have you ever wondered what you could do to help protect them? Do you want to learn more about the animals and plants you find there? Do you like to meet people who share your concern for the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains?

Welcome! Please explore our website to learn more about the goals and many activities of the Friends of the Sandia Mountains (FOSM). Be sure to visit our Projects page to look for volunteer opportunities that match your interests and abilities.

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FOSM Member Sim Cook “Pays it 4ward”

FOSM member Sim Cook recognized the efforts of Greg Elbring and Toby Lovato in Mora County who stepped up for their community soon after the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fires broke out. Sim, who regularly works with all of FOSM’s weekly crews, generously nominated his two new friends for the award. Nonetheless, Sim should be recognized as the third member of the STP (“Same Three People”) crew who accomplished the wood effort for which Greg and Toby were recognized⏤making the long drive from Albuquerque to do so. Way to go, Sim!

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Postponed until further notice – Adopt-a-Highway Trash Pickup

FOSM board member Steve Roholt announced an Adopt-a-Highway trash collection day for our adopted section of the Crest Highway: Saturday, May 20. We adopted mile 4-5 of Highway 536 last year. Our agreement with NMDOT is to pick up trash twice per year. May is a good time as snow should be melted.

Steve said in a May 6 email:

Please email me by May 15 so I can know who is coming to pick up trash on our adopted section (mile 4-5) of NM Highway 536. A few of you communicated with me following my initial save the date email. Please reconfirm.

I need to know names and numbers of volunteers as I need to pick up trash bags and orange vests from the Department of Transportation by the 16th. Once I have this information I’ll send out a final announcement regarding time, place, and a few simple rules regarding safety issues.

Steve announced in a later email that a family medical issue necessitated postponing the event. Watch here for further developments.

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FOSM Founders Meet Steve Stucker, May 24, 2023

KOB 4 has been very supportive of FOSM including on-air reports about us and our activities including snowshoe events, Matt Thompson’s Watermelon 100 run, Sim Cook’s Pay it 4Ward appearance, and construction of the Challenge Trail extension.

Steve Stucker briefly interviewed FOSM co-founders Sam Beard and Don Carnicom during a May 24 telecast from Lantern Ridge Farm Market in San Antonito. Air time was short, but Steve, Sam, and Don expressed mutual appreciation for FOSM’s work and support of that work by KOB 4. Sam and Don also presented Steve with a copy of “Field Guide to the Sandias.” Thanks Sam and Don for representing FOSM so well.

Regular viewers of KOB TV know that Steve recently retired from his early morning weatherman duties after 33 years. “Steve Stucker’s Thank You New Mexico Tour” is KOB TV’s way of letting New Mexico say goodbye to Steve and Steve say thanks to New Mexico. As Steve visits locations throughout the state during April and May, live broadcasts feature him discussing local issues with people of the state. https://youtu.be/4TlqntQEqMo

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Membership Meeting, June 6, 2023, 7:00 PM, Sandia Ranger Station Conference Room

Please plan to join us on the evening of June 6 to hear Trevor Mayschak give an overview of the International Mountain Medicine Center—who they are and what they do—paired with a presentation of the Tram rescue in which IMMC was involved on New Years Day 2022. Details will follow next week.

Date and Time – June 6, 7:00 PM

Location – Sandia Ranger Station conference room

Livestreaming – Our attempts at using an iPhone and Zoom to livestream the previous two meetings for those unable to attend in person were largely successful although there remains room for improvement. Zoom particulars are:

Topic: FOSM Membership Meeting
Time: June 6, 2023 07:00 PM Mountain Time

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85482642246?pwd=YzFGOU9mZzZZMWNodkdUNmtIQ1NoUT09

Meeting ID: 854 8264 2246
Passcode: 010129

Dial in: 346-248-7799 (Not Toll Free)

The caveats from the last two meetings still apply. This remains very much an experiment. Zoom participants will have microphones muted and video feed disabled but can communicate using Chat.

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Volunteer Opportunity – Paint Crew Leader

Thanks, Anne Hickman, for your years of faithful service as leader of the paint crew. Anne has stepped down due to other commitments. Please use the form here if you would be interested in assuming this leadership position.

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Welcome, New FOSM Members!

*Life sponsor

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