If you’re a fan of nature and the great outdoors (or shopping for someone who is), a fantastic place to explore is the Public Lands Interpretive Association’s online store.
Their brick-and-mortar store at 6501 Fourth Street NW Suite I, is open in Albuquerque for you to purchase gifts, maps, guidebooks, and much more in person. While other branches of the nonprofit offer a selection of products, only the Albuquerque location carries their entire online inventory.
With the holiday season approaching, this presents an ideal opportunity to shop for family and friends while supporting an important nonprofit organization at the same time!
What’s in the Online Store?
The Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA) is renowned for its extensive collection of maps of public lands in the Western United States, but there’s so much more available. They offer a vast range of books covering topics like hiking trails, bike routes, plant and animal identification, regional history, and even guides on desert gold prospecting. Additionally, they have New Mexican cookbooks and other resources both online and at their Albuquerque store.
The shop also supplies compact guides perfect for identifying birds, trees, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, insects, and administering emergency first aid. These pocket-sized guides are ideal for outdoor adventures. For those who want to showcase their love of nature, the store offers T-shirts, hats, and bandanas adorned with local wildlife, alongside their popular “Advice from a . . .” series of bookmarks, notecards, mugs, and more.
Children are also catered to with plush animals, books tailored for young readers, and a versatile 7-in-one tool for the young outdoors enthusiast. This comprehensive range ensures that everyone can find something to enhance their outdoor experience.
Shop at the Online Store or in Person
For the most comprehensive and extensive selection of products, visit the Public Lands Interpretive Association’s website or their main office in Albuquerque, located at 6501 Fourth Street NW, Suite I. The organization also operates additional shops at various locations, including the Smokey Bear Ranger District Office and the Santa Fe Bureau of Land Management office. However, these outlets tend to have a more limited range of items compared to the main Albuquerque location. It’s also common to encounter a Public Lands Interpretive Association store in many visitor centers on public lands that you might explore.
Why Should You Shop from PLIA?
By making a purchase from the Public Lands Interpretive Association (PLIA), you contribute to their essential mission of educating and engaging users of public lands. PLIA is actively involved in exciting projects such as developing a series of safety instruction videos, digitally reconstructing Fort Craig located south of Socorro, and offering complimentary summer camps specifically for middle school girls, along with in-class presentations for middle school students. Your purchases play a vital role in supporting these initiatives and many more.
About Public Lands Interpretive Association
The Public Lands Interpretive Association, a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization, is committed to enhancing the stewardship of public lands in Arizona and New Mexico through educational and service-oriented activities.
PLIA collaborates closely with government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, focusing on developing and distributing educational materials, products, and maps at visitor centers and office stores. In addition to these efforts, they manage campgrounds in the Kaibab National Forest and operate the Public Lands Information Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they provide visitor information and guidance.
