{"id":21674,"date":"2026-02-17T15:01:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T22:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/?p=21674"},"modified":"2026-03-20T15:02:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:02:45","slug":"scorp-survey-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/blog\/2026\/02\/17\/scorp-survey-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"State Parks Division seeks input on future of outdoor recreation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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FOR<\/span>\u00a0IMMEDIATE<\/span>\u00a0RELEASE:<\/strong><\/p>\n

February\u00a017, 2026<\/p>\n

State Parks Division\u00a0seeks input on future of outdoor recreation
<\/span><\/b>Survey\u00a0will\u00a0help shape five-year plan\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0investing in recreation\u00a0sites<\/i><\/h3>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

SANTA FE<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0The New Mexico State Parks Division\u00a0is conducting an\u00a0online survey\u00a0to\u00a0gauge public opinion on how to improve\u00a0the state\u2019s outdoor recreation landscape.<\/p>\n

The survey\u00a0results will be\u00a0incorporated\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP<\/span>). The\u00a0<\/span>SCORP<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>must be updated every five years\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the state to\u00a0continue receiving funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund,\u00a0a federal\u00a0grant\u00a0program\u00a0that\u00a0has helped\u00a0pay\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0more than 1,200 outdoor recreation and conservation projects across New Mexico since 1968.\u00a0New Mexico\u2019s next\u00a0<\/span>SCORP<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>will cover years\u00a02027\u00a0through\u00a02031.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom neighborhood parks to remote camping areas, New Mexico\u2019s outdoor spaces are deeply tied to our quality of life,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>Toby Vel\u00e1squez, State Parks\u00a0Division\u00a0director<\/b>. \u201cThis survey gives communities a voice in deciding what matters most\u00a0to them\u2014whether\u00a0that\u2019s improving existing parks, expanding access in rural areas, protecting natural and cultural resources, or creating new outdoor opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

States Parks will conduct separate surveys\u00a0<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the public and potential LWCF grant recipients. \u00a0Survey responses will specifically help identify:<\/p>\n