Las Cruces announces an adult pickleball tournament at East Mesa Recreation and Sports Complex for September 14-15, 2024, with registration starting August 29 at 9 a.m.

Two Magellanic penguins died of avian malaria at the El Paso Zoo, with six others treated and recovered; this followed the opening of the Penguin Encounter in December 2023.

White Sands National Park is considering fee increases for ranger-guided hikes and introducing a Starry Night Astronomy Program, with adult fees potentially rising to $10. Opinions are sought until October 24, 2024.

Bob the Goat died during a relocation effort by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department intended to protect native desert bighorn sheep from potential disease. The goat's death prompted an investigation into health risks for the bighorns.

Las Cruces is hiring three full-time park rangers to maintain safety and enhance visitor experiences at city parks, with applications due by November 4, 2024.

Las Cruces proposes an aquatic playground at Apodaca Park and seeks community feedback at a meeting on October 17, 2024, at the Regional Aquatic Center.

The City of Las Cruces' Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is on December 7th from 6-8 p.m. at Plaza de Las Cruces, with live music, refreshments, and a movie screening post-event.

Fifty desert bighorn sheep have been reintroduced to the Franklin Mountains in El Paso, Texas, by the TPWD, restoring the species that vanished in the 1960s.

Obi, the first giraffe born at El Paso Zoo, is moving to Dallas Zoo as part of a conservation plan. His departure marks a successful breeding effort under the Species Survival Plan.

El Paso's Star on the Mountain will shine in red and green on Christmas Eve, starting at 5:40 p.m., to celebrate the holiday and promote community unity.

Las Cruces Parks and Recreation to open Spring Break Camp registration on Feb 10 for children K-5th grade, with activities and meals provided for a $20 fee.

El Paso Zoo introduces new animal exhibits and invites visitors to help name a baby giraffe. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, with extended spring break hours.

The El Paso Zoo adjusts its hours for spring and summer, inviting visitors to see new animals, participate in a giraffe naming contest, and learn about conservation.

El Paso, Texas eagerly anticipates the opening of the new MACC and the renovated Cleveland Square Park on March 22nd, promising to enrich the city's cultural landscape.

El Paso celebrates the renovation of Cleveland Square Park, which now offers improved landscaping, ADA-compliant sidewalks, an amphitheater, and better lighting for community use.

Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department is offering weekly hikes from April 11 to May 23 for enthusiasts to explore the Southwest outdoors. Registration is required before each event.

Weekly hiking and walking events by the Parks and Recreation Department are scheduled from April 11 to May 23, 2025, for all ages and experience levels. Participants must register in advance.

Las Cruces Summer Recreation Program registration opens May 5, with lottery application ending May 16 or when full. Program from June 3 to July 18, for K-5th graders. In-person sign-up available; no phone registration. Fee is $40 if selected.

Registration for Las Cruces' free Teen Connection summer program opens May 5, with activities for grades 6-12 and in-person and online registration options.

El Paso Zoo & Botanical Gardens extends spring/summer hours and invites the public to vote on a name for its new baby giraffe. Visitors can also see new exhibits including Lar Gibbons and Binturongs.

Las Cruces Police and New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish host "Fish with a Cop" on June 7 at Young Park for all ages, providing equipment, food, and prizes.

Las Cruces announces a revamp of Valley View Park's playground and parking lot, starting May 23, 2025, with expected completion in early to mid-August.

El Paso's Wyler Aerial Tramway is set to receive a $7 million boost for its reopening, increasing state investment to $27 million. Closed since 2018 for safety reasons, the tramway's restoration is prioritized by the community and state officials.

The El Paso Zoo welcomes spring babies including an Inca tern chick, a Magellanic penguin chick, Peninsular pronghorn fawns, marbled teal ducklings, and white-nosed coati kits, highlighting conservation efforts.

El Paso County opens Cooling Centers to provide relief from heat, running June 15 - August 15, except for June 19 and July 4, and offers summer safety tips for pets.

UTEP researchers found that adult white-lined sphinx moths are more likely to be preyed upon than when they were caterpillars, with implications for insect population dynamics and conservation.

El Paso Zoo welcomes spring babies, including an Inca Tern chick and Pronghorn fawns, aiding conservation efforts for species with dwindling wild populations.

Local playgrounds are scheduled for temporary closures for safety surfacing repairs, affecting East Mesa Recreation Center Park, Gus Vlachakis Park, and Pioneer Woman’s Park on July 8-9, 2025.

Las Cruces playground repairs rescheduled for July 10-11, 2025, due to safety surfacing maintenance at three parks, with temporary closures necessary.

Free monthly tours of El Paso's Mission Trail offer an insight into the area's history, starting from the Mission Valley Visitor Center, with free parking included.

El Paso's Modesto Gomez Park unveils Phase One upgrades, including renovated diamond fields, a new walking trail, and ADA-accessible facilities, with a ribbon-cutting event.

Modesto Gomez Park in El Paso has been upgraded, with Phase One improvements celebrated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. More enhancements are planned to increase outdoor recreational opportunities for the community.

Las Cruces offers a Fall Break Camp with activities for children K-5, including breakfast and lunch, from Oct. 6-10, for $20 per child. Registration is open until Sept. 17.

The El Paso Rhinos hockey team joins a conservation event at the El Paso Zoo on September 21 to raise awareness about endangered rhinos for World Rhino Day.

State tests found high microcystin levels at Quemado Lake; the Gila National Forest closed the lake, campgrounds and access points until tests clear the water. Officials warn the water is unsafe for people and pets.

Buena Vida Park in Las Cruces will be getting a new public art installation, with temporary closure of its picnic area for two days starting November 18, for safe setup.

The century‑old Mexican Canyon Trestle near Cloudcroft reopened after Forest Service crews replaced decking and improved visitor access at the overlook. The site is open with limited facilities.

El Paso City Council voted Dec. 16 to rename Fortaleza Park to Trotter Memorial Park in honor of two Fort Bliss children who died in the Ruidoso flash floods. The move formalizes a neighborhood memorial.

More than $7.6 million in lottery-backed grants will fund parks, trails and land protection across Southern Colorado, from Alamosa to the Pikes Peak corridor. Projects range from ADA playgrounds to a large San Luis Valley conservation effort.

El Paso Zoo provides care for an anemic and underweight bald eagle found near Silver City, examining it for infections and toxins while cautiously rehabilitating it.

State biologists are investigating an outbreak of infectious keratoconjunctivitis that has blinded some Barbary sheep across a 30‑mile stretch in the Trans‑Pecos. The outbreak touches Jeff Davis, Presidio and Brewster counties.

Federal maps and filings indicate roughly 111–112 miles of a proposed Smart Wall through Big Bend National Park, prompting outcry from locals and conservationists. Critics warn of lasting harm to wildlife and tourism.

El Paso County will hold a March 24 community meeting to review survey results and new renderings for Ascarate Park. Officials will present visuals and gather feedback before design advances.

Biocontrol releases cut Arundo in spots, but funding fights and tangled agencies have left the giant reed choking the Rio Grande. Coordination and long-term monitoring remain the missing pieces.

El Paso broke ground on a $15M Phase II expansion at The Beast Urban Park, adding fields, courts and event amenities across roughly 650,000 square feet.

Fort Bliss will convert part of Underwood Golf Course into a tournament-ready youth sports park with 10 turf fields and family amenities, officials say. The plan aims to keep weekend tournaments local and boost jobs.

Texas Parks and Wildlife added 1,054 acres to Franklin Mountains State Park, extending protection to Martin Luther King Boulevard and securing trailhead access.

City officials say a peer‑mentor program, staff coaching and pavilion repairs are the backbone of a plan to restore the El Paso Zoo’s national accreditation. The city is also moving quickly on a director search and construction timeline.

El Paso Zoo is converting an underused Chihuahuan Desert exhibit into a behind-the-scenes breeding center for smaller endangered species; construction begins June 1. The space won’t be open for tours.