Much to celebrate: It’s a year to celebrate conservation stewardship – 100 years for Aldo Leopold, 50 years for Las Placitas Association – and May 7, we celebrated the signing of the Placitas Withdrawal with Senator Martin Heinrich, dignitaries from Santa Ana and San Felipe Pueblos, the San Antonio de Las Huertas Land Grant, many of our elected and appointed public officials and many of you. It’s been years in the making – more than 20 for those dedicated to protecting Placitas from expanded gravel mining on our doorstep.
Much to consider: Now the work begins to decide how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in Placitas will be used. The assumption is that BLM will open the Buffalo Tract to recreation, but what does that mean? Hiking trails … biking trails … off-road vehicles … shooting??? LPA is evaluating any role it may play, in partnership with the BLM, to reach a community consensus on the use of these public lands for the benefit of Placitas and our neighboring communities. Like most things, it’s complicated since the BLM can accept, modify or reject any proposed land use plan.
June hike: Our hike specialist, David Haigh, has selected the Borrego, Windsor and Bear Wallow Trail Loop. This is on the way to the Santa Fe ski area and will be cooler with significant shade. Rated as moderately challenging, the length is 3.96 miles with an elevation gain of 850 feet; the average grade is 9%. Allow 2-3 hours to complete. The trail is multi-use – shared between hikers and bikers. Highlights include a mountain stream, dense forest, wildflowers and more. Trekking poles are recommended. Meet in the west side of the Merc parking lot on NM-165 at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.
Sacred Places: Honoring Chacoan Culture. LPA sponsored an artists’ adventure in Chaco Canyon in late 2023 that will culminate in an exhibit at Placitas Community Library in July 2024. The exhibition will feature works inspired by that trip and is open to artists similarly inspired. While Chacoan Culture was centered within the canyon, Chacoan influence extended much farther, through the San Juan Basin and beyond. We encourage you to explore the outliers as well and submit your work for this exhibit. The call for art is now available at placitaslibrary.com/programs/art-exhibits/call-for-artists
KUPR – Your Community Radio: This year, live music events were held before summer heat and intense competition for bands and venues. A St. Patrick’s Day event with traditional Irish music and food at Placitas Winery was a huge success, followed by an amazing performance by Red Hot and Red in April. This all-Native American jazz trio brought a whole new meaning to the word professional with drummer Louie Speaking Eagle (a Zacatec Indian ceremonial leader), bassist Rob “Milo” Jaramillo from Isleta Pueblo and master pianist Steve Figueroa of Laguna Pueblo. The event was recorded and is being aired from time to time on KUPR. A house concert in May featured Terry Winchell & The Fine Line, under the stars with singer/songwriter/guitarist Terry Winchell, guitarist/vocalist Jim Goodkind and bassist/vocalist Jay Leutwyler. Save the date – Saturday, October 26 for our annual Gathering of Spirits – it’s a hoot! Over the summer the station will deal with an upgrade to fiber optics to improve your listening experience.