NM-3885
May 3–7, 2010
Must commit to full session
Volunteers for this PIT project will work with F.S. staff to conduct systematic metal-detecting surveys of segments and traces of the Old Spanish Trail in northern New Mexico. At present, these elements of the Trail have only been partially identified. Research on this historically import trade route is an ongoing, multi-agency project in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. One goal of this research is to identify which routes will be managed as Congressionally designated historic trails. The project will also help to provide important information for interpreting the Old Spanish Trail and its role in the trade and settlement of the American West, and will allow visitors to experience a direct connection to this aspect of the nation's cultural history. Most of the Trail segments will be within approximately 40 miles of the village of Taos, a town with a rich history and culture. Join us for this unique experience in one of New Mexico's most beautiful settings!
Number of openings: 20
Special skills: Must understand and be able to perform leave-no-trace camping and field hygiene techniques; must be physically capable of hiking several miles per day in moderate to rough terrain in a variety of weather conditions; previous experience with GPS systems (possession of one is a bonus!), digital photography, and/or archaeological survey helpful, but not required; knowledge of metal artifacts from the first half of the 19th century (Mexican and Territorial Periods) in the West also helpful, but not required; metal detecting experience preferred, but not required - please indicate on your application if you own and can bring a metal detector
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Primitive camping at site locations; other camping facilities (developed and undeveloped) available within the project area; Taos is a full-service community with a range of motels, B&Bs, restaurants, and other amenities; volunteers responsible for lodging or personal camping equipment, food, and water; transportation to and from a designated meeting site will be provided on a limited basis by F.S.; personal vehicles capable of dirt road/off-road travel helpful
Nearest towns: Taos, ~40 miles
Applications due: March 1, 2010
NM-3905
June 1-5, 2010 (including the weekend)
Must commit to full session
The Sapawe site is located on state and private land near the community of El Rito, New Mexico, approximately an hour north of Santa Fe. It is the largest adobe pueblo ruin in New Mexico, and, having likely consisted of more than 2,000 rooms, is believed to be the largest in the southwest. The University of New Mexico conducted a field school at Sapawe in the 1960s. During the field school and over subsequent years, archaeologists have located numerous, smaller sites in the area that may be associated with the larger Sapawe Site. This year's efforts will be a continuation of a very successful PIT project started in 2000. Volunteers and Forest Service staff will, once again, conduct archaeological survey to map and record sites associated with Sapawe. This year, however, our primary focus will be to identify and record prehistoric agricultural features (gravel mulch gardens) and field houses. This will be another good year, and a unique experience, so come join us as we explore New Mexico's past!
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: Must be physically capable of walking several miles each day in a variety of weather conditions (mostly hot) and in rugged terrain; volunteers should come prepared with gear suitable for these conditions, especially plenty of water; attention to detail is a must, as is the ability to have fun; previous archaeological survey, mapping, and/or related experience, experience using a compass helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Undeveloped tent/pop-up camping at no charge at FS campground (~5 miles from project area); picnic tables and vault toilets only; developed tent/RV camping at Abiquiu Reservoir (~25 miles from project area); water, shower facilities, RV hook-ups; fees apply; Abiquiu and Ojo Caliente are full-service communities with motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities; historic hot springs resort in Ojo Caliente; Lodging may also be available in the Northern New Mexico College Dorms in El Rito; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment, food, water, and transportation
Nearest towns: El Rito, 4 miles; Ojo Caliente, 14 miles; Abiquiu, 16 miles
Applications due: April 5, 2010
NM-3904
June 14-18 , 2010
Must commit to full session
Between 1923 and 1933, approximately 1,500 airway beacons - early night navigation systems consisting of lighted towers and concrete arrows designed to guide airplanes - were constructed across the U.S. They were spaced approximately 10 miles apart and spanned 18,000 miles. Each beacon featured a 610 mm parabolic mirror and a 1000 watt lamp, and in clear weather they could be seen from distances of up to 40 miles. The Low Frequency Radio Range system began to replace this visual system in 1929, and beacons soon became obsolete; the last in N.M. was shut down for official use in 1973. During our week-long PIT project, Cibola NF staff and volunteers will hike into the Zuni Mountains to document the remains of two of these beacons in order to develop a plan to stabilize and interpret the sites. Additionally, we will record a C93-Conestoga plane crash that occurred in 1945 and, if time allows, the site of a 1948 Porterfield crash. Field trips to other plane wreck sites and beacon locations in the area are also planned. Please join us for a hike through the Cibola's aviation history!
Number of openings: 9
Special skills: Must be physically capable of hiking long distances each day at elevations above 7000' over moderate to difficult terrain in a variety of weather conditions; mapping and/or photography skills, knowledge of airplanes and aviation history helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Tent/RV camping at no charge at nearby FS campground; vault toilet, no water or hook-ups; Grants is a full-service community with motels, RV campgrounds, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment/lodging, food, and water
Nearest towns: Project based in Grants
Applications due: April 12, 2010
NM-3947
September 20-24, 2010
Must commit to full session
Join us in the Chihuahuan Desert for a hike into the past! In 1962, several Paleoindian campsites in the Las Cruces District of the Bureau of Land Management were recorded for the first time. They were recorded as lithic scatters at that time, and were noted to contain many Paleoindian elements consistent with the Folsom cultural period (ca. 10,900 - 8,000 B.P.). The sites were revisited and updated in 1982, but were not recorded to their fullest capacity. Standards have changed greatly since then, and we want to document the sites to the most accurate and up-to-date extent possible. Therefore, PIT volunteers and BLM staff will conduct survey near Alamogordo to relocate and re-record these important prehistoric sites completely and to current standards.
Participants will camp at the Oliver Lee New Mexico State Park again this year. Temperatures in the Chihuahuan desert are slightly lower in September, but can sometimes exceed 100 degrees. Be sure to bring a pack with the capacity to carry sufficient water and lunch to the worksite, which will be about 14 miles from town. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended - our survey will be in an area of sand dunes that are often covered with mesquite and cacti.
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: Previous archaeological survey, map reading, GPS, hiking, and/or photography experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 12 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Tent camping available at no charge at Oliver Lee State Park; water, vault and flush toilets, showers; RV sites with hook-ups available, fees apply; Alamogordo is a full-service community with hotels/motels, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging, meals, water, and transportation
Nearest towns: Alamogordo, 14 miles
Applications due: July 19, 2010