Published by Albuquerque Journal | Edition 04/28/2025 | Link To Article
Shooting a bow is something 13-year-old Jolene Gray has enjoyed the few times she’s been able to give it a try.
So when she had the chance to do so again through the upcoming Bows in Burque event put on by Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, the South Valley Academy seventh-grader quickly signed up.
“I wanted to participate because I like getting opportunities to do things and I’ve always enjoyed archery,” Gray said. “I just like to go to events so I can learn more about different things.”
The event is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3111 Blake SW, a large field that was provided by a local landowner, said Adrian Angulo, Nuestra Tierra programs and campaigns director.
With help from Latino Outdoors, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, StoryRiders and the Outdoor Opportunity Coalition, Bows in Burque also will include basic fly-casting instruction, as well as information about animal hides and tracks.
“We’re trying to make sure hunting and fishing traditions survive into the 21st Century,” Angulo said. “We’re seeing a decline in hunting and hunting habitat and water resources.”
The point of the events, he said, is to make the outdoors accessible for children and families and to educate people about the importance of outdoor recreation.
“Hopefully this will help change and impact some people, not just in the youth and parents, but abuelitas and abuelitos,” he said. “That’s the power of intergenerational events and why we organize events like this one.”
Events like Bows in Burque are important to help expose the outdoors to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity, said Laura Flores, Latino Outdoors New Mexico regional coordinator.
“This is a perfect example of how we can get the community’s youth and families involved in activities that may be consider intimidating,” she said. “But this lets them get a foot in the door and they can find out that it’s not as intimidating as you might think.”
Marginalized communities often face economic, time and even information barriers to enjoying the outdoors, Angulo said. The event aims to break down those barriers and helps organizations figure out ways to help, Flores added.
“That’s something that we try to encourage on any of our outings when we talk to families and even youth, what are the reasons they don’t recreate outside?” she said. “A lot of times it’s transportation or location of events. Money. They don’t feel like they have the financial support to do these things. Even education because they don’t feel there are enough things to do. We’re trying to remove these barriers to give kids access. There are things we can do to encourage kids to be outside.”
As for Gray, she said the whole event sounds fun.
“I think (archery) is a cool sport and want to be able to learn more about it,” she said. “I did do fly fishing once before at another event and it as really fun. I had never done it before so it was really cool learning how to do it.”
Gray’s goal is a make a career working outdoors.
“When I grow up, I want to be an entomologist and work in the environment and helping it,” she said. “These things in the community and getting opportunities that most people wouldn’t be able to get helps me know more.”