The Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) is funding programs that provide hands-on outdoor education for young people from low-income families, with 14 serving Tribal communities. Forty of the awarded programs offer workforce development that connects youth directly to meaningful careers in New Mexico’s outdoors. “It’s no surprise that the outdoor recreation industry is a significant economic driver in New Mexico,” said EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. Since 2020, ORD has awarded over $8.6 million in Outdoor Equity Fund grants, connecting more than 106,000 youth from 23 counties to high-quality, educational outdoor programming. These programs remove barriers, giving all New Mexico youth the opportunity to experience the health benefits of outdoor activities and explore career pathways in recreation, conservation, and leadership.