Sandia Collaborative
The Sandia Collaborative aims to protect, preserve, promote, enhance and restore the landscape and watersheds of the Sandia Mountains for traditional and contemporary multiple use for current and future generations.
The Sandia Collaborative holds general membership meetings at 10:00AM on the third Tuesday of each odd-numbered months.
About Us
The Sandia Collaborative is working to:
1. Establish mutual priorities that will leverage resources and funding of all partners and stakeholders for the betterment of the Sandia Ranger District.
2. Identify collaborative projects to protect the flora, fauna, historic and cultural properties and artifacts, and watersheds.
3. Develop recommendations to manage fire risk, natural resources, and year round recreational and educational activities.
Forest Service Announces Closure of Sandia Crest Recreation Areas
District Ranger Ken Born describing upcoming projects. Click to watch KRQE 13 feature story.
Click to enlarge map.
March 20, 2026 – As soon as April 2026, the Cibola National Forest will begin two projects that will affect visitor use and public access to the Sandia Crest area through fall of 2027.
These projects include:
Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project
Sandia Crest Recreation Area Renovation Project
During the implementation of these projects, the Sandia Crest Recreation Area and nearby trails and recreation sites will be closed to the public for an extended period.
The need for the Sandia Ranger District to focus on the Crest site is for health and safety concerns, upholding agency special use permit requirements, hazardous fuels reduction, scenic integrity objectives – and to improve the overall recreation experience for visitors.
Details are available on the Forest Service website.
Click here to watch a KRQE 13 feature story about the closure including statements by Forest Service officals Ken Born and Heidi McRoberts.
Forest Service Seeking Volunteers
Volunteers needed at the Base of the Tram!
Since May of 1966 the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway has been a gateway to the most stunning views in the Sandia Mountains. For many years local Volunteer Site Hosts have been available at the Four Seasons Visitors Center at Sandia Peak to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. It was necessary to discontinue the volunteer effort during the pandemic; however, this year we are looking at establishing the volunteer effort at the Tram.
After the pandemic, the Tram changed visitor routing at the upper tram terminal such that visitors are no longer routed through the Four Seasons Visitors Center until they are ready to return. Because of this, it was felt that a better location for Site Hosts would be at the lower Tram terminal. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing information about the Sandias, you are encouraged to sign up!
As mentioned above, Site Volunteers will be based in the public area on the ground floor of the lower tram terminal. This is a busy area and is a great spot to welcome visitors and provide information about the Sandias. Volunteers can step outside to chat with folks waiting to board the tram and can move indoors during inclement weather. Visitors can step inside and chat with volunteers as well.
If interested, please contact coordinator Jamey Browning at jamey@friendsofthesandias.org.
Volunteers needed at Doc Long Interpretive Hut!
The Doc Long Picnic Area had been used for picnicking as early as 1920, when the original Crest Highway was constructed. It was named in honor of Dr. William Long, a forest pathologist, who studied tree disease in the area and was partially constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Interpretive Hut, located within the picnic area, has long been used as a place to welcome visitors and provide information about the area. For many years, it was staffed by Forest Service personnel, then switched to being staffed by local Volunteer Site Hosts, then was closed during the pandemic. Since then, a dedicated Forest Service intern, Tony Powell, renovated the hut, giving it a fresh new look and updated displays and information.
New volunteers are needed to share this little gem of an interpretive center with the public. Days, times and hours are flexible, and training will be provided. However, volunteers who are willing to dig into the depth of resources provided and learn on their own are appreciated. If you enjoy engaging with the public and sharing the natural wonders of this area, you are encouraged to sign up!
If interested, please contact coordinator Julie Padilla at julie.padilla@usda.gov
Volunteers needed at Tijeras Pueblo!
Below is the background and capacity needs for volunteers at the historic Tijeras Pueblo site. Some of the former Friends of Tijeras Pueblo volunteers have stayed on. Many have left.
If interested, please contact coordinator Sandra Coambs at sandra.coambs@usda.gov
Click either image above to read or download pdf file.
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Get Involved
If you are interested in the Sandias, we offer many ways to become involved.