ZUNI, NM (Aug. 12, 2024) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project has completed a new pilot project this summer. With support from the Outdoor Equity Fund Trails+ grant, Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, and New Mexico Department of Health Healthy Kids Healthy Communities, ZYEP operated a youth trail crew that spent the season working on the community’s popular trail system.
Crew members Antonio Cellicion, Deron Lastyano and Eliaz Bowannie worked under the direction of Thomas Zunie, the nonprofit youth organization’s facilities/built environment coordinator, throughout the summer. Chosen from a significant pool of applicants, the three youth workers ranged in age from 16 to 18.
They worked from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for eight weeks, starting in early June and concluding in late July. Their goal was to improve select community trails.
“During the first week, we focused on policies and procedures, and how to use the equipment safely,” Zunie said. “Then we walked 3 miles on the Badger Trail with our tools. That trail was sloping, so for about a quarter of a mile, we flattened it to 2 to 3 feet wide.”
The crew then moved on to the Cottonwood Trail, their major summer project. Part of that trail had been underwater due to fluctuating water levels at a nearby lake, and the crew re-established the trail route through mowing, weed-whacking and adding trail markers.
“This was the alternative to building a bridge,” Zunie explained. “When we finally got the green light from the Department of Natural Resources and Bureau of Indian Affairs, it was so exciting.”
He noted the crew also experimented with adjusting water flow, in the hopes of preventing trail erosion in the future. They dug a trench and lined it with lava rock to re-route the water away from the trail.
“We had a big storm on Saturday, July 20, and it worked!” Zunie said.
As their summer on the trail crew came to an end, the three young people reflected on their experiences in a survey. One said he was grateful for the opportunity to learn how to prepare a trail and ensure a safe environment for trail users.
“Zuni has a lot of good runners, and we built or fixed something to help them run,” a co-worker agreed.
“While working on the trails, I saw Zuni community members walking or running on them, so I knew what we were doing for the community was important for them and their physical health,” the third crew member said.
The first crew member also shared that he now feels a stronger connection to the land. His co-workers mentioned that they appreciated opportunities to engage in physical labor and learn how to use all the equipment correctly.
“They only had basic household experience with tools prior to this,” Zunie observed. “I was surprised at how quickly they got used to the tools, including the augur to dig holes. They also used levels, and they used rock bars to move the lava rock.
“We made great progress,” he continued. “I hope we can do it every summer.”
ZYEP and the Zuni Health & Wellness Coalition collaborated to establish the community trail system in 2014. The network, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, now comprises more than 60 miles of trails. Eleven distinct routes connect to most residential neighborhoods, allowing thousands of pueblo residents to enjoy them safely.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
