My friend, Alex Mares, sent me a reminder of the upcoming events at Leasburg Dam State Park just north of Las Cruces. Here is that information:

Leasburg Dam State Park is in New Mexico off I-25 between Las Cruces and Hatch. Entrance fee for all events is $5/vehicle. You can purchase a New Mexico Parks Pass for $40 which is good for one year. All events are free with paid camping permit. For more information about the events listed below, please contact Alex Mares, Park Ranger LE and Interpreter at 575-524-4068 or alex.mares@state.nm.us.

For directions, including a park map, visit http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/leasburgdamstatepark.html

Saturday, October 27
08:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Monthly Bird ID Walking Tour Meet Volunteer Guide - CJ Goin at Leasburg Dam State Park Visitor Center at 8am. Be prepared to take an easy to moderate hike and see and learn how to identify various bird species. Over 200 different bird species have been identified and recorded at Leasburg Dam State Park. Fall and Spring Migration are best times to see a wider range of birds. Due to the excellent birding found here - National Audubon has designated this park as an a IBA - Important Birding Area! Event is FREE with paid day use or camping permit.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Alex Mares 575-524-4068

Saturday, November 3
05:30 PM - 08:30 PM

November Skies at Leasburg Dam SP Leasburg Dam State Park is an area considered to be a "quality night sky" by astronomers. Come out and join us for a Monthly Night Sky program. Several telescopes will be available for the public to observe planets, stars, nebulae etc. Weather permitting, the observatory and it's 16 inch research grade telescope will also be available for you to look through. Volunteers from the ASLC - Astronomical Society of Las Cruces will be on hand to assist visitors with the telescopes and answer questions. Regular Park Day Use or Camping Fees will apply. Genre and musical performer TBA closer to date.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Alex Mares 575-524-4068

Saturday, November 24
08:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Monthly Bird ID Walking Tour Meet Volunteer Guide - CJ Goin at Leasburg Dam State Park Visitor Center at 8am. Be prepared to take an easy to moderate hike and see and learn how to identify various bird species. Over 200 different bird species have been identified and recorded at Leasburg Dam State Park. Fall and Spring Migration are best times to see a wider range of birds. Due to the excellent birding found here - National Audubon has designated this park as an a IBA - Important Birding Area! Event is FREE with paid day use or camping permit.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Alex Mares 575-524-4068

Saturday, December 1
12:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Turning Back the Sun-Winter Solstic Celebrate Winter Solstice at Leasburg Dam State park and enjoy live demonstration of traditional Pueblo adobe oven bread baking ( get to sample it too ), Pueblo Indian social dances, during the day. Right before sunset, gather around several warm campfires in an amphitheatre and enjoy traditional Coyote/Winter Stories from Dine, Apache and Pueblo and Blackfeet Peoples. *These stories can only be told during the winter months.* Get to sample real Buffalo Stew with oven baked Pueblo bread and hot chocolate while supplies last! Immediately after, enjoy the quality night sky of Leasburg Dam State Park and look through several types of telescopes - including our observatory 16 inch research grade telescope. Several Volunteer astronomers from the ASLC - Astronomy Club of Las Cruces and the Friends of Leasburg Dam State Park- FLDSP will be on hand to assist and answer questions. Event is free with paid day use or camping fee.
Fees: Regular Entrance Fee
Contact: Alex Mares 575-524-4068

Saturday, December 29
08:00 AM - 10:00 AM