Page 13 - magazine the rock fall 2016

Friends oF red rock canyon 13

allows an artist time to immerse themselves support further protection and designation
into the desert landscape and absorb the vast of eight existing Wilderness Study Areas
history and cultural significance of the lands. within the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks
The works of our resident artists showcase National Monument as Wilderness. Later
our stunning desert mountain landscapes this year, we will also turn our attention to
from new and unique perspectives and have the Resource Management Planning period
been featured across the Southwest in galler- for the Monument.
ies and lectures.
It’s a crucial time for the public to stand
This past summer, Friends collaborated up and pay attention to public lands protec-
with the University of Chihuahua and New tion, as these special places face challenges
Mexico Wildlife Services to conduct a bio- and pressures from many directions. We
logical inventory for portions of the National continuously strive to help Organ Moun-
Monument. This program provided hands-on tains – Desert Peaks National Monument
training opportunities for twelve students stand as a premier example of America’s
while generating baseline data on wildlife National Conservation Lands and to raise
and habitat. The new relationship marks the local public awareness of the value of pub-
international appeal of National Conserva- lic lands. We hope you’ll join us in support
tion Lands. of public lands protection and restoration of
the ecological, natural, cultural and histori-
We celebrate our successes, but the work cal resources they hold.
has just begun. Currently Friends works to

About the author: Ben Gabriel graduated from Ohio University in 2004 with a degree in
Adventure Recreation. He moved to New Mexico upon receiving a job as Assistant Director,
managing the new Outdoor Recreation Program at New Mexico State University. During that
La Cueva Rocks center, providing rental, retail and bike services to the NMSU community. Ben also received a
time, he oversaw the development of the university climbing wall, trips, clinics and the outdoor
Masters in Higher Education Administration from NMSU in 2010. In December 2014, he ac-
cepted the position of Executive Director of the Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. Ben
is married to Christa and has a daughter, Neko.

Getting there: Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument is located east of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Find out more about this remarkable location at: http://organmountainsdesertpeaks.org/
http://www.blm.gov/publish/content/nm/en/prog/NLCS/OMDP_NM.html https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOMDP

Fall 2016