Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Visit Las Cruces host celebration May 18
The Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks (FOMDP) will mark the 10-year anniversary of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (OMDPNM) with a prom-themed celebration and keynote speaker Senator Martin Heinrich. The event is set for 6 p.m. May 18 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Prom attire is strongly encouraged. Other community members are set to speak at the event which will also include a silent auction, dancing and karaoke.
“The Friends of the Organ Mountains are excited to celebrate with the community this significant milestone,” Patrick Nolan, FOMDP Executive Director said. “The monument has quickly become an integral part of our lives here, creating opportunities to be outdoors and supporting our outdoor recreation economy.”
This event marks the designation of the monument by former President Barack Obama. Since its designation, OMDPNM has become an iconic, natural refuge for residents and visitors.
“The monument has driven a lot of interest to the area,” Rochelle Miller-Hernandez, Visit Las Cruces Executive Director said. “Over the past 10 years, our community has shared the beauty of the Organ Mountains and surrounding areas with hundreds of thousands of visitors. That alone translates to a positive impact for our city and local businesses.”
- Tripled Visitation: Visitation has more than tripled from 183,900 in 2012, prior to the monument designation, to 612,781 in 2022. These visitors not only admire the natural and cultural wonders but also contribute significantly to the local economy by supporting jobs and local businesses, including gas stations, restaurants, motels, and retail establishments.
- Revenue Surge: Out-of-town visitors alone generated $35 million in positive economic impacts in 2022. This surge in spending is a testament to the attraction of OMDPNM.
- Job Creation: In 2022, visitation to the monument supported 305 jobs, providing employment opportunities for the local workforce.
- Tax Revenue Boost: The economic benefits also extend to local and state government coffers. In 2022, visitation to the monument resulted in $1.9 million in tax revenue, contributing nearly $13 million in taxes over the past decade.
- BLM Investment: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), responsible for overseeing the monument, has significantly increased its operations and staffing budget by a factor of six since the designation. This has led to enhanced protection, research, and recreational activities.
Proceeds from the event support the work of the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Moving Montañas programs which give opportunities to local youth to spend time outdoors through camping, hiking and biking activities. It also will highlight the diverse voices and community members that value public lands and what they mean to our community.
Tickets to the OMDPNM Public Lands Prom are $100 or can be purchased per table. They are available online at https://organmountainsdesertpeaks.org/public-lands-prom/.