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By NM Wildlife Federation
A Wild and Scenic Gila River for New Mexico
Wild turkey, Mearn’s quail, pronghorn, record elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, and bear, are just some of the game species one can find in the Gila National Forest and Wilderness. In the Gila River, you can fish for flatheads, smallmouth bass, Sonoran suckers, rainbows, and of course, the iconic Gila Trout.
We need you to help protect this habitat and our hunting and fishing traditions on the Gila. Learn more about the designation and sign on to our letter today. The next generation of hunters and anglers need you! Watch our latest video, then sign our petition to Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.
Upcoming Events:
- September 8th: Archery Lessons on the Monument: As part of Monuments to Main Street the New Mexico Wildlife Federation is co-hosting archery lessons for youth with Friends of Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument at the City of Las Cruces Archery Range. This event is full, but be sure to check out additional Monuments to Main Street events throughout September!
- September 8th: Fiesta en el Valle: This Saturday the New Mexico Wildlife Federation is excited to participate in Fiesta en el Valle at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Visitors will get the inside scoop on Park Ranger favorite hikes, the best ways to recreate on the preserve, and easy ways to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the outdoors. Don’t miss out!
- September 10th: Carson National Forest Open House: Penasco Community Stakeholders Workshop: Take part in the Forest Planning Process! Attend the Carson Forest Open House from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Penasco Community Center, 14136 NM-75 Penasco, New Mexico
- September 11th: Santa Fe National Forest Open House: Upcoming Open Houses will focus on planning topics including alternatives, geographic areas, management areas, monitoring, wilderness, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Forest Plan and District specialists will be available to answer questions on resource areas or Forest Planning more generally. Take part in the Forest Planning Revision Process! Drop in between 2:30 – 5:30pm at the Sandoval County Fairgrounds, 37 Rodeo Rd, Cuba, NM 87013.
- September 11th: Carson National Forest Open House: Questa District Community Stakeholders Workshop: Take part in the Forest Planning Process! Attend the Carson Forest Open House from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Red River Conference Center, 101 W River Street.
- September 12th: Carson National Forest Open House: El Rito Community Stakeholders Workshop: Take part in the Forest Planning Process! Attend the Carson Forest Open House from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at El Rito Community College – Alumni Hall, 1177 NM-554, El Rito
- September 13th: Carson National Forest Open House: Chama Community Stakeholders Workshop: Take part in the Forest Planning Process! Attend the Carson Forest Open House from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Chama Community Center located behind the Village Of Chama Community & Senior Citizens Center US Hwy 84-64 House #2449
- September 19th: Translocation of desert bighorn sheep into Sacramento Mountains public meeting: The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment on a proposed translocation of desert bighorn sheep to the Sacramento Mountains. This species has been absent from these mountains for nearly a century. To gather public comments, a meeting will be conducted in Alamogordo starting at 6 p.m. on September 19th at the Otero County Administration Building in Room 221, located at 1101 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, 88310.
- September 27th: Santa Fe National Forest Open House: Upcoming Open Houses will focus on planning topics including alternatives, geographic areas, management areas, monitoring, wilderness, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Forest Plan and District specialists will be available to answer questions on resource areas or Forest Planning more generally. Take part in the Forest Planning Revision Process! Drop in between 2:30 – 5:30pm at Santa Fe National Forest, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, 87508.
Show Your Love for the Land and Water Conservation Fund!There is less than a month left to save the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF!) Founded in 1964, LWCF has been one of the most successful and popular programs in conservation history. This crucial conservation tool is set to expire at the end of the month. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation calls on our elected officials to permanently reauthorize this fund and allocate the full funding to the program. Now, we need your help to raise awareness before the September 30th expiration date to highlight how crucial LWCF is to New Mexico. Let’s get the word out on social media about all the great places in New Mexico – like Tingley Beach, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, and more – that have received support from LWCF! Email us your pictures at LWCF sites and we’ll feature them on our social media channels. Or post on your own social media channels using #SaveLWCF and tagging our pages.
Take Part in New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public Comment PeriodsRight now the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are holding public meetings and requesting public comment on a number of rules that could impact your next hunt! Check out the proposals currently under consideration and take part in the public comment process today!
Our recommendations for the Elk Rule and the Elk Licensing System are also available on our website.
By Lincoln National Forest Public Comment Period ExtendedTake part in the Forest Planning process! The public will now have more time to provide feedback on the Lincoln National Forest Draft Assessment Report that is part of the Forest Plan Revision process. Feedback submitted by October 19thwill be the most valuable to the plan and will be incorporated into the Final Assessment. The revised Forest Plan will describe the strategic direction for management of forest resources for the next 15 years on the Lincoln NF. Read the draft assessment report, then send any feedback or suggestions on the draft assessment report to lnf_fpr_comments@fs.fed.us; or by going to the project website and selecting the “Comment/Object on Project” option in the “Get Connected” box. You may also mail your feedback to Lincoln National Forest, Attn.: Forest Plan Revision Team, 3463 Las Palomas Road, Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Donate Your Unused Hunting Tags!
Did your hunting plans change? If you can’t use your hunting tag this season, you can now donate it for a youth to use through the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. The State Game Commission recently authorized the New Mexico Wildlife Federation to accept unused tags for youth 17 and younger to go hunting with donated licenses. We pride ourselves in our youth outreach and engagement and we’re excited to offer this opportunity to New Mexico youth throughout the state. To donate your unused tag to the New Mexico Wildlife Federation for a youth hunt, contact the Department of Game Fish Information Center, (888) 248-6866 or ispa@state.nm.us and tell them you’d like to donate your unused tag for a youth hunt to the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. It’s all about the next generation!
