Civil War | Park Day Volunteer Opportunity
Park Day @ Fort Stanton Historic Park
Upcoming Event
Saturday, May 3, 2025 @ 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM MDT
104 Kit Carson Road
Fort Stanton, NM 88323
For More Information
Meeting place
The work will be trail maintenance. We will meet at the Visitor Center to get acquainted. Before starting the work, Park Day volunteers will watch a 10-minute video on site history. We will then drive a short distance to our project location, the Pershing Trail trailhead.
Planned Activities
The weekend is the 170th Anniversary of Fort Stanton, established in 1855. Saturday, May 3, will be our Park Day trail maintenance work, while Sunday, May 4, will be visitor participation Flag-raising and Retreat, and CCC/German Internment Camp tours and at least one lecture (check the website and Facebook Page for Sunday schedules).
Before starting the trail work, we will have a detailed safety briefing about the tools we'll use; the arid and riparian landscape in which we'll be working, and critters found in it; the probable temperature in the 80s or 90s and keeping well-hydrated.
We will divide into two- or three-person groups (families could work together) and work on re-defining an official 3/4-long hiking trail along the north bank of the Rio Bonito that has vegetation encroachment. We will cut back encroaching vegetation, and in some eroded parts of the trail, we'll build small "media luna" check dams which will cause the soil to build back up when the monsoon occurs in June-July. We will close an unofficial user-created trail, the tread of which is not culturally cleared (the official trail was culturally cleared by archaeologists). We will use dead and down cottonwood branches and other slash in a pattern that will camouflage the closed trail and encourage habitat regrowth.
The trail condition across rough ground and in a riparian area is such that it is ADA non-compliant. However, persons with disabilities can assist in grounds maintenance tasks and or other tasks to be determined around the Parade Ground, where sidewalks and building entries are ADA-compliant.
Before starting the trail work, we will have a detailed safety briefing about the tools we'll use; the arid and riparian landscape in which we'll be working, and critters found in it; the probable temperature in the 80s or 90s and keeping well-hydrated.
We will divide into two- or three-person groups (families could work together) and work on re-defining an official 3/4-long hiking trail along the north bank of the Rio Bonito that has vegetation encroachment. We will cut back encroaching vegetation, and in some eroded parts of the trail, we'll build small "media luna" check dams which will cause the soil to build back up when the monsoon occurs in June-July. We will close an unofficial user-created trail, the tread of which is not culturally cleared (the official trail was culturally cleared by archaeologists). We will use dead and down cottonwood branches and other slash in a pattern that will camouflage the closed trail and encourage habitat regrowth.
The trail condition across rough ground and in a riparian area is such that it is ADA non-compliant. However, persons with disabilities can assist in grounds maintenance tasks and or other tasks to be determined around the Parade Ground, where sidewalks and building entries are ADA-compliant.
History or Educational Activities
The entire Fort is a museum, with various buildings to visit after the work is done, and various site history exhibits, and one natural history exhibit about the fascinating Fort Stanton Cave. One might not think of New Mexico Territory as a Civil War theater of conflict, but it certainly was. As Texan Confederate forces approached Fort Fillmore at Mesilla (near present-day Las Cruces, New Mexico), the garrison at Fort Stanton was ordered to abandon the Fort and make their way to Fort Craig on the Rio Grande (between present-day Socorro and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico). The Confederates included officers and enlisted men who had served in the pre-war New Mexico Territory forts. Colonel Baylor of the advance Texan element sent Company C, 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles the 170 miles northeast of his position, and across the Tularosa Basin and up into the Sacramento Mountains to investigate the status of Fort Stanton. They found the Fort abandoned, including four mountain howitzers and various types of supplies. The Mescalero Apaches literally considered the region around the Fort the center of their homeland, and for the some six weeks the Texans occupied the Fort, they engaged in several skirmishes with the Apaches.
As we work, we'll talk about this history and the significance of the trail which we will be maintaining - leading from the Fort to a Civilian Conservation Corps/WWII German Internment Camp. As stated, Sunday will be Internment Camp tours and at least one lecture.
As we work, we'll talk about this history and the significance of the trail which we will be maintaining - leading from the Fort to a Civilian Conservation Corps/WWII German Internment Camp. As stated, Sunday will be Internment Camp tours and at least one lecture.
Should I bring any tools or supplies?
Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, hat - boonie type being best for this climate, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and work gloves. Bring a day pack with a water bottle or hydration bladder, and your lunch in it - this is essentially the correct personal clothing and gear for trail maintenance. Trail tools, water and sports drink will be provided.
Is there a rain date?
In the instance of inclement weather, Park Day will be moved to May 10, 2025.
Please note
Volunteers who would like to camp for the weekend can either camp in the formal Bureau of Land Management Rob Jaggers Campground (and we will ask BLM is camp if fees can be waived for Park Day volunteers). Primitive camping is allowed everywhere else on the National Conservation Area, to include the Cave Campground, which is next to Fort Stanton Cave (the cave is currently closed to the public, although science work and passage mapping is ongoing).
Accessibility considerations
Does the site have accessible parking?
Yes
Does the site have accessible bathrooms?
Yes
Are there activities planned for those with disabilities?
Yes
Can the site accommodate a wheelchair, scooter, or walker?
Yes
Does your site offer accessible facilities?
Yes
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