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Federal Government

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Quarai Unit

Date: Every Friday through October 30, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Quarai Unit every Friday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Gran Quivira Unit

Date: Every Saturday through October 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Gran Quivira Unit, 4030 Quivera Flats Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Gran Quivira Unit every Saturday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Abó Unit

Date: Every Sunday through October 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Abó Unit every Sunday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Dark Skies, Bright Stars! — 2026 Dark Sky Program

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers and volunteers host a spectacular evening program as part of the 2026 Dark Sky Program series. Activities include ranger-led tours, telescope viewing, a dark sky photography workshop, and guided pueblo and mission programs. Admission is free. This is the final session for 2026, so don’t miss it!

World Migratory Bird Day and Bio Blitz

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, in partnership with Raptors of New Mexico Foundation, invites you to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) at the Quarai Unit on Saturday, October 10.
Join park rangers for guided bird count hikes throughout the day, as well as guided Bio Blitz tours, along the paved interpretive trail and the rugged Spanish Corral Trail. During the hikes and tours, you’ll explore the diverse local ecosystem of the Salinas region, contribute to the annual bird count, and support the citizen science efforts at the park.

The National Monument's event partner, Raptors of New Mexico Foundation (RNMF), will host a live bird presentation you won't want to miss! RNMF is a non-profit organization that provides engaging live bird presentations throughout New Mexico. Meet RNMF staff and their amazing ambassador birds, and join RNMF for a special Q&A session.  

Throughout the day, you can stop by the outreach table to learn more about Salinas Pueblo Missions, upcoming events, pick up free WMBD-themed giveaways, and learn how to make a difference as a citizen scientist!

State Government

New Mexico State University Torrance County Cooperative Extension Office

Quarai Hike, Picnic, and Nature and Wellness Journaling

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Nutrition Education Cooking Demonstration

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pine Cone Art and Wellness Workshop

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pottery Glazing Workshop (Pottery Part 2)

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Torrance County Cooperative Extension Services Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County

Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

Date: October 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Online and Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details:

EVYFC Board Meeting

Date: October 26, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: None Provided

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: None Provided

Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Online and Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: None Provided

Encino

Encino Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main St., Encino, NM 88321
Details: The council typically meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For more information on Encino events, contact the Village Hall at (575) 584-2980.

Estancia

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Date: Every First and Third Mondays of the Month (October 5, 2026, and October 19, 2026)
Time: 6:15 PM
Location: Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: None Provided

Estancia Public Library Job Fair

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 South 10th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Employers should contact the library at 505-384-9655 to reserve a space. The job fair is open to those who want to explore the current job market, regardless of whether they already have a job or are currently seeking one.

30th Annual Punkin' Chunkin'

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: Gates open for vendor set-up at 8:00 AM, Parade line-up at the courthouse at 9:30 AM, Parade at 10:30 AM, and Opening Launch at 12:35 PM
Location: 1.5 miles west on NM-55 from NM-41 in Estancia or 8 miles east of the junction of NM-337 and NM-55 (34°45'17.15"N 106°05'11.05"W)
Details:

Moriarty

Mountainair

Town Council Meeting

Date: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (October 6, 2026 and October 20, 2026)
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To join by phone, call 346-248-7799, enter access code 856-052-5813, and enter passcode 888-888.

Willard

Willard Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Second Monday of the month (May change in October due to Federal Holiday)
Time: 5:30 PM MDT
Location: Willard Village Hall, 720 Dunlavy Ave, Willard, NM 87063
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Monday of each month. For more information on Willard events, contact the Village Hall at (505) 384-2874.

Other Organizations

Roadrunner Food Bank Distribution

Date: Distribution is scheduled for every Tuesday, but verification is recommended.
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Roadrunner Food Bank

Bethel Storehouse Food Pantry/Clothing Bank

Date: Tuesday through Friday
Time: From 12:00 PM to 3:45 PM
Location: 1719 4th St, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: To see if you qualify for available services, please click here.

Manzano Mountain Retreat Apple Harvest Festival

Date: October 3 and 4, 2026; October 10 and 11, 2026; and October 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT - 5:00 PM MDT
Location: Manzano Mountain Retreat, 210 Los Pinetos, Torreon, NM
Details: Enjoy warm apple treats, cider-donut smiles, children at play, live music, local makers, and the beauty of the mountain in peak autumn color. Families can spend the afternoon wandering the property, enjoying entertainment and food, participating in activities, and experiencing the orchard at an easy, unhurried pace.

Mountainair Men's Support Group

Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Multi-Purpose Building (in the Town Council complex), 107 1/2 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Recurring weekly Christian men's support group meeting. For more information, please contact Richard Torres, Jr. (AKA Wizard) at (505) 357-9749.

Mountainair Rotary Club Weekly Lunch Meeting

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Weekly meeting for community service planning and networking. Visitors are welcome and should bring their own lunch.

The Mountainair Dispatch covers public affairs, community life, and local news across Torrance County, New Mexico. To submit an event for a future post, email todd@mountainairdispatch.com. Listing events is free.