Page 12 - magazine the rock fall 2016

12 Friends oF red rock canyon

Friends Protect....

Organ Mountains — Desert Peaks National Monument

By Ben Gabriel

Photos by Artist in Residence Emmitt Booher © 2014

In May of We celebrated the connections between our
2014, Organ communities and all of our local National
Mountains – Monuments: Organ Mountains – Desert
Desert Peaks Peaks, Prehistoric Trackways and White
National Mon- Sands. It’s no wonder Southern New Mexico
ument was is one of the nation’s top ten places to visit
established in recommended by Lonely Planet. From hikes
Southern New to helicopter tours, the world famous Hatch
Mexico, pro- Chile Festival,
tecting some Plein Air Festival
of the most and Las Cruces
iconic Chihua- Salsa Festival,
huan Desert there are plenty of
landscapes and activities for all
becoming one ages and inter-
of the newest ests. These annual
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
of the National events truly make
Conservation Organ Mountains

Aden Crater Lands. Our Desert Peaks an
Monument’s incredible place to
unique geologic features and proximity to visit. Pena Blanca Storm
the urban centers of Las Cruces, El Paso and
Ciudad Juárez, Mexico make it important In partnership with the Bureau of Land
both geographically and culturally. Since Management – Las Cruces, Friends
the designation of the National Monu- launched the Artist in Residence Program
ment, Friends of Organ Mountains - Desert at Organ
Peaks have focused on connecting with our Moun-
communities, creating meaningful on-the- tains
ground programs and strong partnerships - Desert
that extend beyond borders to foster stew- Peaks
ardship, connection and restoration. in 2015.
This
In September 2016, Las Cruces and month-
Doña Ana County kicked off the first an- long res-
nual Monuments to Main Street Month. idency
Van Patten Mountain Camp

the Rock - Volume 7 Issue 1