It Takes a Village to Inspire a National Monument

Local organizations in Las Cruces and surrounding Doña Ana County, New Mexico, have nurtured and promoted the positive economic benefits of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (OMDP) as a way to actively foster a broader cross-societal appreciation for and stewardship of National Conservation Lands. Since the designation of OMDP in 2014, this region has served as a national example of collaborations between conservation groups, local businesses and governments, non-profit organizations, and tourism agencies. These partnerships serve multiple purposes of education, conservation, tourism, and outreach. Economic studies regarding OMDP’s designation conducted in 2013 and again in 2023 (BBC Research & Consulting 2013, 2023) illustrated the potential and actual positive economic impacts, respectively, to the area around OMDP. The result of “thoughtful stewardship” by local businesses, coordinated marketing, creative events like “Monuments to Main Street” month, educational hikes with under-served communities, and public relation campaigns in different parts of the country increased community appreciation and non-local visitation and spending. The resulting sense of community ownership increased involvement with the Bureau of Land Management and in turn strengthened partnerships and conversations about the stewardship of our public lands.