Los Amigos hits $5,000 match to fund Valles Caldera signage upgrades

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera announced today that donors and members met a $5,000 matching campaign to support new and updated signage at Valles Caldera National Preserve. The funds will go toward trailhead signs, trail markers for hiking and winter recreation, and interpretive displays at key sites across the preserve.

"Los Amigos would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our members and donors who contributed to our $5,000 matching campaign in support of new signage at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Thanks to your generosity, we met the match!" the organization said. "We will be working closely with Preserve staff to determine the most effective way to use these funds."

Sign improvements are intended to enhance visitor experience and safety by providing clear guidance on the preserve's extensive trail network and by offering interpretive information at locations that include History Grove, Cerro La Jara and Sulphur Springs. Trail markers for winter recreation could be especially valuable in snow months when navigation becomes more challenging.

Financially, the $5,000 match is an important early step but covers roughly 10 percent of the preserve's projected sign-related costs. Los Amigos estimates about $50,000 will be needed over the next two to three years to complete interpretive projects and upgrades at multiple trailheads and hiking routes. That gap signals ongoing fundraising and coordination will be necessary to deliver comprehensive signage across the preserve.

From an economic perspective, targeted investment in wayfinding and interpretation can have outsized local benefits. Better signage reduces time lost to navigation or rescue, lowers the likelihood of costly search and rescue operations, and helps visitors make fuller use of trails and interpretive sites. For Los Alamos County, clearer trails and enhanced visitor amenities can extend visits and support local businesses that rely on outdoor recreation traffic during both summer and winter seasons.

The partnership model here - a local nonprofit aligning donor dollars with preserve staff priorities - stretches scarce public dollars and accelerates projects that might otherwise require additional federal or agency budget cycles. With $45,000 still estimated as a need, Los Amigos and the preserve will likely prioritize high-impact locations first while seeking additional contributions.

The takeaway? Community dollars moved the needle on a visible, practical improvement to Valles Caldera that will help keep people safer and informed on the trails. If you use the preserve, watch for new signs this year, check trailhead information before you go, and carry a map and winter gear when conditions demand it. Our two cents? Small donations and local coordination go a long way toward making the caldera easier to enjoy and safer for everyone.