Santa Fe National Forest signs two agreements with Trees, Water, People

The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will sign two separate agreements with Fort Collins, CO, based Trees, Water and People (TWP) to build upon successful collaborations between the SFNF and local Pueblos on reforestation, watershed improvement and forest restoration within the Jemez Ranger District.

Trees, Water and People is a critical conservation education and preservation advocacy organization that was established six years ago. The Colorado-based group is looking to expand their reach to Native American communities in New Mexico by providing resources through their already established network of Tribal youth organizations. TWP will also provide their expertise in forest restoration and hydrology during the planning and implementation phases of important SFNF projects located within the Jemez Ranger District.

One agreement will formalize a partnership between the two organizations to work collaboratively on these critical projects. The other agreement will allocate $125,000 in Indian Youth Service Corps funds from the USDA Forest Service that were awarded to TWP through a competitive process in April 2024. These funds will be used by TWP to assist with planning and implementation of reforestation projects in the 2022 Cerro Pelado burned area. Reforestation work will be conducted by Native youth from local Pueblos and the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps.