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Several organizations in southern New Mexico collaborated to plan the Trail Days community event taking place on April 21-23 in Silver City. The event is the product of a months-long cooperative effort between multiple community and conservation organizations, with added support from the town of Silver City and the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is spearheading activities throughout the weekend, culminating on Saturday with the Gila Earth Day Festival.
“The festival is an opportunity to showcase the close, supportive community in the Gila and Silver City,” said Liz Schmit (she/her), who is organizing the event on behalf of the CDTC, “And none of this would be possible without our partners.”
Schmit and representatives from Heart of the Gila, Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP), and Gila Earth Day collaborated to plan the Gila Earth Day Festival and other weekend activities.
In conjunction with Heart of the Gila, CDTC will offer free guided hikes on Sunday, April 23. The hikes range in length and intensity, providing options for a broad range of people.
“It's part of our mission to help bring a diverse community into the Gila National Forest and foster a love of wild places and the motivation to protect them,” said Patrice Mutchnik, Director of Heart of the Gila. “Collaborating with the CDTC on our Sunday community hikes is a perfect way to get more people to explore the Gila region.”
The CDTC also shares an interest in positively impacting local businesses and the greater community.
“One of our goals for Trail Days is to bring people out to experience Silver City, and to show our gratitude and appreciation for this community that has always been our champion,” said CDTC Executive Director Teresa Martinez (she/her/ella).
Martinez and CDTC staff utilize as many local resources as possible when planning the event to support businesses in Silver City.
“We are excited to showcase local businesses and organizations, and even the kids' bounce house is from a local vendor,” Martinez added.
Weekend activities begin on Friday, April 21 with a cultural speaker series at the Silco Theater and an evening gathering at the Little Toad Creek Brewery.
“This is such a special place in the world–encompassing the Gila region and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail–and our partner organizations are investing in a healthy, thriving landscape,” Martinez said. “The CDTC is honored and proud to be part of this community.”
More information about Trail Days can be found at continentaldividetrail.org/trail-days.
