SUPPORT KIDS N’ PARKS WITH YOUR TAX REFUND

New Mexico State Parks urges you to make a difference in the lives of others by donating just a few dollars of your tax refund to an incredibly worthwhile program benefiting all school children. Kids and State Parks go together like New Mexico and sunshine!

The Statewide Outdoor Classroom Program provides students with hands-on, curriculum-based outdoor experiences. One of the program’s most successful components is the Transportation Grant program that provides funding to schools to help pay for the cost of buses to get students to a state park where they experience outdoor education programming. The program is heavily funded by taxpayers through the Kids ‘n Parks Personal Income Tax Check-off.

Since 2007, State Parks has provided outdoor classroom experiences for more than 170,000 kids statewide. In 2016, $10,889 was awarded to 30 different schools resulting in 1686 students visiting the parks and receiving outdoor education programming. Overall, more than 13,000 students visited New Mexico State Parks in 2016 for outdoor education programming.

“Far too many New Mexico children do not have the opportunity to experience the beauty and excitement of an outdoor educational experience,” said State Parks Division Director Christy Tafoya. “Getting kids familiar with and comfortable in nature, in our State Parks, can get them started on the road to healthier, more active lifestyles.”

To make a contribution using a tax refund, check off the box that reads, “Refund donations” on the New Mexico Personal Income Tax Return (PIT-1) and attach a PIT-D, New Mexico Voluntary Contributions
Schedule. If you are not due a refund, contributions may be directly sent to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division, 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505.

The 2016 PIT-D forms and instructions can be found are at: http://www.tax.newmexico.gov/Individuals/personal-income-tax-forms.aspx

Visit the New Mexico State Parks website at www.nmparks.com for more information on parks and programs.