Public News Service

The Sierra Club said a third of all Americans, including 28 million children, do not have a park or natural space within a 10-minute walk of their home. (milicanistoran/Adobe Stock)

Congress urged to protect outdoor program for 4th-graders

A national program to connect children and families with the outdoors is at risk of ending without help from Congress. The Every Kid Outdoors …

Policies proposed in Project 2025 would undermine already enacted environmental and climate policies related to fossil-fuel production, climate action and environmental justice. (newmexico.org)

Project 2025 alarms NM's teachers, human rights advocates, conservationists

From education to the environment and immigration, proposals in the "Project 2025" document alarm many New Mexicans promoting a more equal society…

New Mexico is home to 22.9 million acres of public lands, including the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. (MarthaMarks/Adobe Stock)

First win-win for affordable housing, public lands

Environmentalists are applauding a Bureau of Land Management decision to allow the sale of a small national public land parcel for an affordable housi…

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" …

New Mexico has received two and a half times the amount of federal money awarded last year to fortify wildfire defenses. (photo BLM)

NM among states with longer, more intense fire weather seasons

Areas of northern New Mexico now see 60 more annual fire days than 50 years ago, creating longer, more intense fire seasons. A report from Climate …

Stalactites cling to the roof of what's called the

NM's Chaco, Carlsbad parks gain protection from new BLM rule

New Mexico's diverse national parks located adjacent to extraction sites will enjoy greater protections under a new federal rule. Changes to how the …

The Bureau of Land Management's newly issued Public Lands Rule is designed to safeguard cultural resources such as New Mexico's Chaco Culture National Park. (Photo courtesy SallyPaez)

BLM's 'Public Lands Rule' could reform conservation, access in NM

Balancing the needs of the many with those who have traditionally reaped benefits from public lands is behind a new rule issued Thursday by the Bureau…

More than 90% of available land in the Greater Chaco region, former home of Ancestral Puebloan civilizations, is dotted with oil and gas wells, according to WildEarth Guardians. (WildEarthGuardians.org)

Orphaned wells: Environmental, visual pollution for SW Indian Country

Tribal communities, including those in New Mexico, can now apply for grant funding and direct assistance to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells …

Tourism and outdoor recreational are top drivers of New Mexico's economy. (Pew Charitable Trusts)

NM ambassadors travel east to advocate for West's Gila River

New Mexico has one of the nation's last "wild" rivers, free of human-made structures and community representatives will be back in the nation's …

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 …

In New Mexico, three-quarters of new survey respondents said they do not want protections rolled back on national monuments. (National Park Service)

Poll: Voters in NM, other Western states consistently support conservation

A new poll showed New Mexico voters expressed a deep affection for lands, water and wildlife and want policies offering greater protections. The 14…

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…

Oil and gas wells, roads, pipelines and other infrastructure near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park have destroyed some cultural sites and transformed others into industrial parks. (MarkKaletka/Flicker/Creative Commons)

Protection of NM's Greater Chaco Region Faces New Threats

A previous agreement to protect New Mexico's Greater Chaco Canyon region from oil and gas development is back on the table, forcing supporters to…

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…

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 …

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…

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 …

Wasted natural gas from methane venting, flaring and leaks on public lands would meet the needs of 2.2 million people - or nearly all households in New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. (Tom/Adobe Stock)

Ball in EPA's Court for Supplemental Oil and Gas Rules

Citizens, states and environmental groups from New Mexico and across the nation have weighed in on tougher rules to govern pollution from the oil and …

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-…

Starting next year, the federal government will end noncompetitive oil and gas leasing on federal lands and require lessees to pay higher rents and royalties. (EUDPic/Adobe Stock)

Oil and Gas Leasing Reform to Continue in 2023

New Mexico residents are expected to testify next month in virtual hearings on a draft rule to curb methane pollution from the oil and gas sector…

Following defacement of New Mexico's centuries-old La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs in January, momentum is growing for permanent protections for Caja del Rio. (sfnfsitestewards.org)

Permanent Protections Sought for NM's Caja del Rio

New Mexico is home to more world heritage sites than any other state, but also a smaller site outside Santa Fe that indigenous leaders and …

In New Mexico, local landowners, tribal leaders, business owners and others are working to protect the Gila and San Francisco rivers as Wild and Scenic. (AdobeStock)

New Mexico Reaps Increasing Benefits from Outdoor Recreation

The Land of Enchantment collects more than $2 billion a year from those who enjoy the outdoors, including camping, hiking, climbing and biking…

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 …

The new Indian Youth Service Corps enlists Indigenous youths for paying jobs that include trail restoration, habitat surveys, climate mitigation, watershed restoration and other culturally important tasks. (Kristi Rugg/National Park Service)

Indian Youth Services Corps Offers Jobs in Conservation, Preservation

Indigenous youths have been enlisted in the Southwest, including New Mexico, to help conserve natural and cultural resources on tribal lands as part …

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…

Less than one-half of 1% of New Mexico's river miles are protected under the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. (The Pew Charitable Trusts)

NM's Gila Returns to Forefront for National Rivers Month

June is National Rivers Month, and New Mexicans who want the Gila and San Francisco Rivers protected monitored U.S. Senate talks this week on the M.H…

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has launched the

NM's Chaco Supporters Rally for Protections from Drilling

At a rally today in Santa Fe, thousands of comments about a proposed withdrawal of new oil and gas drilling leases near New Mexico's Chaco Culture …

Firefighters' ability to gain ground on wildfires overnight has been reduced by climate change because humidity levels no longer rise to previous levels when daytime temperatures drop. (NOAA.gov)

Scientists: Excessive Fuels Likely to Increase NM's Climate-Driven Wildfires

Wildfires continue to burn in New Mexico after destroying at least 150 homes in Ruidoso, killing an older couple in the village last week. Matt …

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 …

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, pointing to higher gas prices and inflation, has called for a special legislative session the first week of April to address the need by state residents for economic relief. (mikes-photography/Pixabay)

Ukraine Wake-Up Call: Renewables Vs. Fossil Fuels

Soaring gas prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine have laid bare the dilemma of relying on fossil fuels over power from renewables such as wind an…

New Mexico could face tough water decisions if a decades-long drought due to climate change doesn't provide a decent spring runoff in 2022. (nm.water.usgs.gov)

Public Lands Agencies Work to Diversify Staff in 2022

People of color historically have been excluded from outdoor-recreation jobs, but a collaborative effort to diversify staff within agencies that …

For more than 2,000 years, Pueblo peoples occupied the Chaco region of the southwestern United States. (NewMexico.org)

Advocates Want Better Protection From Drilling at Greater Chaco

Conservationists are calling on President Joe Biden to make permanent recent steps to protect Chaco Culture National Historical Park from further dest…

The 1.5-million-acre Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico offers trout fishing, hiking, skiing and other recreational opportunities. (nationalforest.org)

NM Groups Want Free-flowing Rivers Protected in National Forest

TAOS, N.M. - In Northern New Mexico's Carson National Forest, many rivers are eligible for federal "Wild and Scenic" designation, and conservation …

Urgency for the U.S. Congress to designate the Gila River as a Wild and Scenic River follows one of the worst years ever recorded for water levels on the Colorado River. (state.nm.us)

Heinrich, Lujan Reintroduce NM Gila River Protection Bill

SILVER CITY, N.M. -- New Mexico's U.S. senators are making another attempt to protect the last remaining free-flowing rivers and tributary systems to …

The upper Gila is surrounded by wilderness that offers fishing for native trout, hunting, backpacking, horseback riding, and camping. (Nathan Newcomer)

Casting a Wide Net to Protect New Mexico's Gila River

SILVER CITY, N.M. -- Those who enjoy outdoor activities in the Southwest, say the Gila River and surrounding public lands have it all, and they want …

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 …

While the Gila is the longest river in the state, New Mexico also offers recreational opportunities on the San Juan, Pecos, Rio Grande and Canadian Rivers. (americanrivers.org)

Wild & Scenic Designations for NM Rivers Benefit Local Economy

SILVER CITY, N.M - Rivers, wetlands and riparian areas make up only 1% of the New Mexico landscape, and they're getting attention this month for …

The Permian Basin, in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, has the worst air pollution from oil and gas in nation, according to an April report by the Environmental Defense Fund. (priceofoil.org)

NM Residents Provide EPA with Real-World Methane Stories

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Fifty New Mexico residents are providing comments at listening sessions hosted this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection …

Monthly oil and gas royalties from New Mexico lands hit an all-time high at $110 million in April. (news.unm.edu)

NM Youth Activists Deliver Signatures to Governor on Fracking Permits

SANTA FE, N.M. - A group of youth activists in New Mexico heads to the Roundhouse today to deliver more than 1,000 signatures. They're calling on Gov…

An increase in people visiting public lands during the pandemic in 2020 led to gridlock in some states and locations, according to the U.S. Forest Service. (MarciaGilles/pewtrusts.org)

Headed to the Woods

SANTA FE, N.M. -- At the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Americans hit the road, with the U.S. Forest Service reporting an increase of 19 …

The Biden administration's 30x30 goal to fight climate change by creating new national wildlife refuges, national parks, and wilderness areas won't be possible without congressional action. (nmwild.org)

Will 30x30 Initiative to Protect Land and Water Gain Traction?

SANTA FE, N.M. -- The 30x30 initiative, also called the "America the Beautiful" campaign, aims to preserve 30% of the nation's lands and water by 2030…

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 …

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NM: Public Lands/Wilderness