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About Us
 
Aztec Trails & Open Space (ATOS) is an official 501c3 non profit, which is a federal IRS determination, and is registered with the New Mexico Corporation Commission as a non profit entity.
 
ATOS began in January of 2006 when a group of interested individuals began meeting with the understanding that future trail development and open space preservation was of the utmost importance to the Aztec community. During the first year of meeting as a non-formal citizen group the following mission statement was developed and approved by all involved citizens:
 
"The purpose of Aztec Trails & Open Space (ATOS) is to promote and develop public awareness of our natural and cultural resources with dedication to establishing, protecting, and maintaining trails, river restoration and wildlife habitat within Aztec and extending into San Juan County. We are committed to providing education and low impact recreation as well as inspiring stewardship of our environment for family and community now and generations to come."


ATOS is governed by a Board of Directors made up of the following seven community members:
Dave Porter - President
Science Teacher, Koogler Middle School
I have several college degrees, a BA from the University of Minnesota, 2 Master's Degrees from New Mexico State, Mechanic and  Fireman training from the U.S. Coast Guard, and have apprenticed with a 3rd generation Blacksmith, and other things. I worked on my step-dad's farm in Minnesota for 15 years, and we had a sawmill and did forestry too. I am married and have 2 teens at Aztec High, and my wife Jean works at McCoy Elementary. I also like to garden, and I have a 12 x 16 greenhouse that I do experiments with plants. I am involved with alternative energy exploration, alternative building techniques, and sustainable living. I try to read at least 2000 pages on various topics per month. I am a home brewer of wine, beer, mead, and home roasted coffee. I love to cook, I hate to clean and I don't mind helping people if they have problems.

 
Eleanor Townsend - Secretary/Treasurer
Administrative Supervisor, Devon Energy-Navajo Dam
I was born and raised in Aztec coming from a large family. Graduating from Aztec High School and NMSU in Las Cruces, Aztec always had a special place in my heart! After being goine for several years, I knew that Aztec was where I wanted to raise my family. I am involed and interested in what is going on in and around Aztec. I especially enjoy working with the wonderful people involved with making a difference in Aztec as well as making trails and keeping open spaces available to the pblic. Kelly (my husband) and I enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends.
 
Ed Cooper - Board Member
Retired  -  One of my earliest memories is walking down a streamside trail in the redwoods of Humboldt County, California, with my mother and father. We were going trout fishing, and I had a hook caught in my finger (hurt!), and kept making it worse with the pole wiggling around. No more beautiful woods scene anywhere!

     Then, the Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts, in the mountains around Santa Barbara, California – a lot of hiking and backpacking. I was always outside, always hiking and exploring.

     Then came the military time, the college time, the working-for-a-living time; and not much time left for pleasure hiking and backpacking. All of the time outdoors, ranch work, trucking in the high mountains, my own log trucking business – always outdoors and in the woods and fields.

     The last 20 years before retiring to Aztec, was my commercial fishing business – not exactly a “trails” connection. The move to Aztec put me back on track, now able to devote my retirement time to helping the city in some ways, and the New Mexico Trails Volunteers (maybe not the correct name) out of Albuquerque, to build a trail along the San Juan River “Quality Waters”, and cleanup old barbed wire in the Bisti Wilderness.

     And last, but not least, to get a new and much better Public Library for Aztec!

Kelly Townsend - Vice-President
Owner, Mr. Electric San Juan County

As a life long resident of Aztec, I have come to appreciate all that Aztec and the surrounding area has to offer. I have moved away from Aztec two or three different times but always seem to find myself back in Aztec. Being involved with Aztec Trails and Open Space and the great people who are members has been a very rewarding experience. When not busy with my electrical contracting business, Eleanor (my wife) and I enjoy spending time in the many beautiful areas of the Four Corners.

 
Dennis Carruth - Board Member
Bio & photo coming soon!
 
Sally Burbridge - Board Member
Bio & photo coming soon!
 
This page was last modified on Monday, April 19, 2010