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Ponderosa pines in New Mexico's Zuni Mountains can measure 60 inches wide and live 300 to 600 years. (Courtesy Zander Evans)

Importance of NM's old-growth forests amid climate change cited

Climate change is forcing hard conversations about the importance of old-growth forests but in New Mexico, many say future generations must know the …

New Mexico is among states with the most diverse species of animals, including the African oryx, or gemsbok. (NationalParkService)

Advocates: Communities, wildlife benefitting from clean energy investments

Wildlife advocates say the current transition to clean energy will not only protect people in New Mexico communities, but also will have a huge …

Nuevo M�xico se encuentra entre los estados con las especies de animales m�s diversas, incluido el oryx africano o gemsbok. (NationalParkService)

Comunidades y vida silvestre se benefician de inversiones en energía limpia

Los defensores de la vida silvestre dicen que la transición actual hacia la energía limpia no solo protegerá a las personas en las comu…

The white-nosed coatimundi, classified as an endangered species in New Mexico, roams and hunts during daytime hours in the Gila Wilderness. (National Park Service)

New Mexico celebrates 100 years of Gila Wilderness preservation

New Mexico's Gila Wilderness is special - not only for its natural beauty, but also because it received the world's first-ever "wilderness" …

Government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns in the 1930s mostly exterminated the U.S. wolf population. (WikiCommons)

Lawsuit over Endangered Species Act follows outrage at wolf torture photo

A lawsuit over a federal agency's decision not to boost wolf protections in New Mexico and other western states has been filed, days after video …

Mexican gray wolf pups born to captive parents have been successfully introduced to wild wolf packs in an effort to improve genetic diversity. (WildCaliforniaWolfCenter)

More lobos roam NM wilderness, but genetic diversity is missing

Since a reintroduction campaign began in 1998, about 10 Mexican gray wolves have been placed in the Southwest each year, and for them to further …

The population of New Mexico's red-headed woodpecker has declined more than 70% in the past 50 years.(RGLPhotography/AdobeStock)

NM wildlife advocates work to accelerate human, wildlife coexistence

Wildlife advocates say there's been a shift in public opinion about the value of wildlife over the past few decades, with people supporting …

Mexican, red and gray wolves were nearly hunted to extinction in the lower 48 states, but the gray wolf is making a limited comeback in the Great Lakes, northern Rockies, California and the Pacific Northwest. (gnagel/AdobeStock)

America's Endangered Species Act turns 50

Five decades after passage of the Endangered Species Act, extinction no longer threatens more than 50 species. Success of the law was demonstrated …

The pi�on jay follows the bounty of nuts from the pi�on pine, which only produce riches of nuts every seven to 10 years. (Hulshofpictures/Adobe Stock)

NM's bird watchers commence annual count of feathered friends

Volunteers will fan out across New Mexico starting today to help the Audubon Society add to more than 120 years' worth of data about bird populations…

Historically the swale paintbrush grew in at least a dozen locations but has only been spotted in one since 1985. (courtesy MarkEgger/Flickr)

A New Mexico endangered species outside the cultural norm

It might not make hearts skip a beat like the sight of a Monarch butterfly or gray wolf, but biologists say a rare flowering New Mexico plant …

New Mexico is among 15 U.S. states known to have mountain lions, with an estimated population of 3,500. (JasonKlassi/mountainlion.org)

NM Game Commission to decide hunting limits for mountain lion, bear

The number of mountain lions killed by New Mexico hunters in recent years has fallen below what the state allows, but wildlife advocates think a …

Many saguaro cacti were damaged or destroyed during construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall initiated by former President Donald Trump and funded by taxpayers. (Photo courtesy: LaikenJordahl)

NM Saw Lasting Consequences from Trump's U.S.-Mexico Border Wall

The unprecedented attempt to build a wall along the U.S. Mexico border has had devastating effects on wildlife from which they may not recover…

While bears can live 20 to 25 years in areas where they are hunted, the average bear lives seven to eight years, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. (sos.nm.org)

New Mexico's Wildlife 'Kill Quotas' Face Scrutiny

Opponents of a plan to allow hunters to kill more black bears in New Mexico over the next four years say escalating climate-change threats faced by wi…

It is estimated about one-third of New Mexico's more than 120 threatened and endangered species occur in the Gila region, including the Mexican grey wolf, Gila trout and Mexican spotted owl. (Photo courtesy of Raquel Madrigal)

New Mexico Mural Art Features Endangered Species, Migration Themes

The Village of Doña Ana is New Mexico's oldest federally designated settlement, and about to be the newest destination for public art. The …

New Mexico's newly created permanent conservation fund is modeled after a trust established by the Wyoming Legislature in 2005. (RustyDodson/Adobe Stock)

New Mexico Creates First-Ever $100M Conservation Fund

New Mexico is using some of its surplus budget funds, primarily from oil and gas revenues, to establish the state's first-ever source of recurring …

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mexican gray wolf is the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America. (Adobe Stock)

Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers Rebound in New Mexico

The Mexican Gray Wolf population in New Mexico is on the rise. For the first time since reintroduction into the wild, the population of wolves …

The Gila National Forest and Wilderness boasts more than 100 bird species including seasonal, year-round and migratory birds. (JuanCarlosGonz�lez/AdobeStock)

NM Supporters of Gila River Protections Make 3rd Pitch in Nation's Capital

A decadelong effort to secure protections for New Mexico's last remaining free-flowing rivers and tributary systems has been introduced in Congress fo…

In 2022, a stretch of the Rio Grande flowing through Albuquerque ran dry for the first time in 40 years. (LeoYorkPhotos/AdobeStock)

NM Lawmakers Urged to Allocate More Money to Purchase Water

New Mexico lawmakers are considering a bill this session to fully fund the Strategic Water Reserve, a management tool deemed critical as the state …

Visitors to New Mexico's Gila Wilderness have reported that stray or feral cattle, grazing there since the 1970s, have become aggressive, with no fear of people and also protective of their young and food sources. (Robin Silver/Center for Biological Diversity)

Aerial Shooting of Feral Cattle Closes NM's Gila Wilderness Area

A helicopter will be used starting tomorrow to fly over a portion of the Gila Wilderness in southwestern New Mexico, searching for feral cattle to …

The Colorado River, which once flowed to the sea in Mexico, has been chronically overused, and combined with climate change, the river system now is in crisis as reservoirs dry up. (John/AdobeStock)

Poll: Westerners Remain Strongly Supportive of Conservation Issues

Climate change, pollution, effects from oil and gas drilling and a strong concern for protecting drinking water are just some of the issues New …

Currently, New Mexico is one of the few Western states without a dedicated land and water conservation funding. (Don/AdobeStock)

NM Legislature Considers Dedicated Funding for Land, Water Conservation

As New Mexico recovers from its worst wildfire in history, lawmakers are considering a proposal to create the "Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund" to …

Since the beginning of 2022, seven Western states have initiated programs to maintain wildlife habitat and safe passage, through fencing, signs, overpasses and underpasses, according to Pew research. (TaborChichakly/Adobe Stock)

NM Lawmakers Weigh Next Step for Wildlife Crossings

Reducing the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions is the goal of a bill before the New Mexico Legislature this session. Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-…

Wildlife populations across the world declined an average of 69% between 1970 and 2018, according to the 2020 World Wildlife Fund. (Geschenkpanda/Pixabay)

Report: Declining Wildlife Suggests Planet's Deteriorating Health

The world's wildlife populations are dwindling, according to a new survey, which encourages urgent action to reverse the loss. Dr. Rebecca Shaw…

Land-use trends in the West, particularly in rural areas, almost invariably result in habitat loss and fragment historic migration routes. (PewTrusts)

Report Cites Wildlife-Migration Challenges, Solutions

Like humans, animals are creatures of habit and often do not adjust when their migration routes are disrupted. A new report said there is adequate …

Agave only blossom at night, making them the perfect food for pollinator species such as the nocturnal Mexican long-nosed Bat. (news.arizona.edu)

Long-Nosed Bats and Agaves: The Tequila Connection

The Mexican long-nosed bat population is in trouble, which has prompted a fundraising effort to restore agave plants along their Southwest migrating …

In New Mexico, herds of pronghorn typically are found roaming the high plains throughout the eastern part of the state. (Steppinstars/Pixabay)

USGS Seeks More Funding for Big-Game Migration Mapping

A four-year project to map big-game routes throughout the West will end without additional funds from Congress - at least for now. Since 2018…

The Rio Grande Basin provides critical habitat to sandhill cranes, migratory and wintering waterfowl and many other species. (nm.audubon.org)

Champions for Biodiversity Want Biden Administration to Do More

Land-use changes, pollution, and climate change all contribute to declining biodiversity. Now a broad group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden …

Some 67% of New Mexicans think oil and gas development on national public lands should be stopped or strictly limited rather than expanded, according to the 2022 Conservation in the West poll. (BLM/Flickr)

Public Lands Face New Threats from Climate Change, Drilling

The use of public lands is back in the spotlight as the war in Ukraine enters its second month and gas prices remain high. The American Petroleum …

Safe wildlife passages, either under or over roads, are estimated to have reduced collisions by more than 80%, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. (BridgetDonaldson/Virgina.gov)

NM Summit Works to Solve Safe Passage for People, Wildlife

Shrinking wildlife habitat puts big-game animals at greater risk of colliding with cars and trucks, and has led to the Wildlife Corridors Action Plan …

Since 2016, the nonprofit Tequila Interchange Project has been working with tequila producers, scientists, and tequila enthusiasts to introduce bat-friendly agave liquors. (environmentaldefensefund.org)

Mixologists Beware: NM Bat Among 10 Species Imperiled by Climate Change

It doesn't get the kind of attention afforded the endangered monarch butterfly, but without the Mexican long-nosed bat, ingredients for one of …

In recent months, 20 gray wolves roamed from Yellowstone National Park and were shot by hunters; the most killed by hunting in a single season since the animals were reintroduced to the region more than 25 years ago, according to park officials.<br />(photo courtesy Don Burkett)

Pressure Mounts to Protect Mexican Gray Wolves

Last year, advocates for the Mexican gray wolf cheered when a judge ruled the problem of poaching was not adequately addressed in a management plan …

More than 70% of documented Mexican gray wolf deaths are human-caused, according to the environmental law firm Earthjustice. (Rebecca Bose/Wolf Conservation Center)

Judge: Plan for Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Must Address Poaching

ALBUQUERUE, N.M. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has six months to develop new language in its Mexican gray wolf recovery plan, after a judge …

As many as 30 million pronghorn once roamed the plains and grasslands of North America. (magazine.wildlife.state.nm.us)

At-Risk Pronghorn Make Other Species Vulnerable

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Millions of pronghorn used to roam the West freely. But impediments such as roads and fences, as well as a changing climate…

About 12% of the nation's lands and one-quarter of its waters are currently protected, according to research by the Center for American Progress. (tn.gov)

New Mexico Joins Other Western States in Conservation Challenge

SANTA FE, N.M. -- As Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order to adopt what is known as the "30-by-30" plan promoted by the Biden …

There are 40,000 to 45,000 pronghorn in New Mexico, according to recent estimates from state wildlife officials. (Brianna/Adobe Stock)

Researchers Study Effects of Fences on Western Wildlife

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Wildlife is being fenced in across the West, and researchers are now mapping these lines to understand how they affect animals…

Because of river-flow reductions and habitat alteration and loss, the southwestern willow flycatcher teeters on the brink of extinction. (eBIrd.org)

Saving America's Wildlife Earns Bipartisan Support

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Wildlife experts say about one third of all wildlife species in the U.S. are in decline or vulnerable - which makes revived …

To create a route for the southern border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, the Trump administration used blasting techniques typically reserved for mining operations. (John Darwin Kurc)

Border Wall Map Reveals Damage to Landscape, Migration Routes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A newly-released map identifies portions of the U.S.-Mexico border wall built by the Trump administration, and for conservation …

A family of endangered Mexican gray wolves will be released on property owned by communications magnate Ted Turner, where work to breed endangered Bolson tortoises, aplomado falcons and threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs has been successful. (rewilding.org)

Mexican Gray Wolf Family Relocates to Friendlier NM Hunting Grounds

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Mexican gray wolf is so threatened with extinction it was not included in the Trump administration's order to remove other …

U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered a broad review of the Trump administration's wildlife policies, including the decision to strip Endangered Species Act protections from gray wolves. (wolf.org)

Biden Administration Urged to Restore Gray Wolf Protections

ALBUQUERQUE N.M. - With a new administration at the White House, a group of scientists is asking that federal protections be reinstated for gray …

New Mexico boasts 23 million acres of public lands and 300 public land sites for recreational opportunities. (blm.gov)

New Pick for BLM Encourages Conservationists

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- President Joe Biden's pick to head the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is getting high marks from conservationists…

World Migratory Bird Day, May 7, is the largest global event that calls attention to the importance of protecting birds and their migratory habitats. (NataliaKollegova/Pixabay)

Wildfires, Toxic Gases Blamed for 2020 Migratory Bird Deaths

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Migratory birds are returning to New Mexico after a 2020 migration that resulted in a mass die-off, but wildfires due to climate …

From raccoons to bald eagles to domestic pets, at least four million animals die in traps each year, according to the Humane Society of the United States. (apvnm.org)

NM Governor to Decide Fate of "Roxy's" Trapping Law

SANTA FE, N.M. -- A dog that died through no fault of its own on a hike with its owner near Santa Cruz Lake in 2019 could leave a lasting legacy if a …

Conservation groups say land bridges can help migrating wildlife by preventing collisions between animals and vehicles on highways and rail lines. (creativenature/Adobe Stock)

State-Federal Cooperation Needed to Help Migrating Wildlife

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Wildlife migrations are a part of the American West's lore and history, but many of those centuries-old passages are now obstructed …

Los jaguares se consideran una especie en peligro de extinci�n a lo largo de la frontera de M�xico y existen protecciones a nivel estatal en Arizona y Nuevo M�xico. (defenders.org)

Científicos identifican un aumento de recuperación de hábitat del jaguar en NM, AZ

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Los jaguares alguna vez vagaron por gran parte del suroeste, y los científicos de la vida silvestre dicen que han …

Jaguars are considered an Endangered Species across their range along the border of Mexico and state-level protections exist in Arizona and New Mexico. (defenders.org)

Scientists Identify More Jaguar Recovery Habitat in NM, AZ

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Jaguars once roamed much of the Southwest, and wildlife scientists say they've identified plenty of land where they could thrive …

A 2019 poll by the National Wildlife Federation found nearly 85% of respondents in New Mexico said they'd like to see increased efforts to safeguard wildlife corridors. (dog.gov)

Western Big Game Benefits from New Tracking Tool

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A new report published by the U.S. Geological Survey includes detailed maps of Global Positioning System tracked migration routes …

Construction of a wall along the border between the United States and Mexico has hampered the natural migration of wildlife, including the Mexican gray wolf, bighorn sheep, ringtail cats, ocelot and jaguar. (wiki.org)

Biden to Decide Future of Trump's Border Wall

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- President-elect Joe Biden has said there will not be another foot of wall constructed along the border between the U-S and …

A javelina family trapped by a border wall in Arizona. (Matt Clark/Defenders of Wildlife)

Lawsuits Mount Over Trump Border Wall

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A coalition of conservation groups has sued the Trump administration over money from the nation's military budget being used to …

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