NM/CO State Line Fence Removal
June 26-28, 2026
Where: State line of NM and CO near Antonito, CO
Join Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Bard Edrington as volunteers join with BLM staff to remove up to 5 miles of netwire fencing along the CO and NM state line.
The San Luis Valley and Taos Plateau are important wintering and breeding grounds for large herds of elk, pronghorn and mule deer. Having once been sheep country, there are still boundaries of net wire. In particular, there is ~5 miles of net wire fencing along the state line. This type of fencing possess a huge barrier for migrating wildlife. Pronghorn move across the plateau in search of better forage, looing for portions of the plateau that have received more rainfall. While they are moving they encounter these net wire fences and it causes them to change course. In the summer they run the risk of being seperated from their fawns. By removing these barriers and replacing it with widlife friendly fencing we are immediatly improving connectivity.
With your help we will remove the net wire fencing and contractors will follow behind to rebuild wildlife friendly fencing in its place. You will be directly responsible for improving connectivity on thousands of acres of public land in NM and CO.
BHA stewardship events are not just about improving habitat. Stewardship brings us together, but the relationships and connections made between the volunteers are as equally important. There are threats to our public lands, water and wildlife, and by standing together we are much stronger.
If this all sounds like fun to you, then don’t hesitate to sign up and take part in public land stewardship.
Schedule:
Friday June 26: Arrive at the camping location anytime after 3:00. You will be responsible for your dinner.
Saturday June 27: Meet at the work location at 8:30. BHA will provide lunch in the field by Fence Line BBQ. Jim is becoming a staple at our stewardship events, providing in the field BBQ sandwiches and sides. We will work from 8:30- ~5:00. Saturday night will be a potluck, wild game if you have it, around camp.
Sunday June 28: For those that are interested we will go to the Cruces Basin to fly fish the small creeks of the wilderness area.
Camping Location:
We will be camping in our normal location off FR 85 ~ 7 miles west of highway 285.
There are no amenities there, please bring water, there is room for camper trailers.
Camping Location 36.850814, -106.082445
Worksite Meet up: Saturday 8:30 am Sate Line on Highway 285
Saturday am Meetup Location 36.995115, -105.997405
OnX Folder with Pins and Routes
What to bring:
Water, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt and pants, boots, work gloves (we will provide them as well).
If you have any questions please contact Bard Edrington V edrington@backcountryhunters.org