New Mexico WILD—THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW MEXICO WILDERNESS ALLIANCE VOLUME IX, NUMBER II — SUMMER 2007

TEN YEARS OF KEEPIN’ IT WILD! The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance 10th Anniversary Issue

WWW.NMWILD.ORG New Mexico WILD! Page 1 stephen capra, executive director new mexico Notes from the WILD! Executive Director SUMMER 2007 Ten Years of Keeping It Wild

by Stephen Capra

Our beginnings were humble. We were fueled not by money, but by passion and determination. It was a determination to protect the wildest landscapes our state had left and to call attention to little known places like Otero Mesa that were threatened by the oil and gas industry. Our goal was to make wilderness preservation part of the language of our elected officials and the general public. We had an office, we were collecting lots of maps, and we were getting out on the ground finding where the truly wild places were. We put together (this sounds a bit dated) a great slideshow presentation and began to meet with civic groups around the state. Our board meetings lasted a weekend, not 4 to 5 hours, and the nights were long and full of good, wonderful camaraderie with lots of talk of old campaigns and the heroes of our movement. Most of the staff was in their early twenties. I was the old man, in my forties. It was only 6 or 7 years ago, but now it seems like a lifetime.

We dreamed wilderness. Blank spaces on the map put proposed drilling. In the end, the oil company, Speerex, smiles on our faces. Scial and a slew of volunteers traveled reconsidered their options and settled with the BLM for fair the state searching and documenting our roadless lands. rate compensation for their leases. We bucked hay with ranchers in Cabezon, we designed Our first Activist’s Workshop was held in May 1999 in our first brochures, and an early NMWA logo was a gift of conjunction with the Southwest Forest Alliance and The the Patagonia Company. We sent out press releases, asked Wilderness Society. More than 150 people came out to for editorial board meetings and soon the press came support wilderness and get involved. calling. Every Thursday was volunteer night and we stuffed envelopes, made calls, ate pizza and drank cold beer, and We began to organize people for the Mexican Wolf Reintro- slowly began to build a conservation organization. duction hearings and transported people to speak out in support of the lobo. We rented vans and drove across One of the group’s first actions was in 1999, when the BLM the state to speak in support of then-President Clinton’s considered opening the Bisti/De-Na-Zin wilderness area in National Forest Roadless Rule. In fact, the very first thing I northwest New Mexico, just north of Chaco Canyon. NMWA did for NMWA was to get in a van with 12 other people and was able to generate more than 500 public comments on drive to Cloudcroft to speak at a hearing on the Roadless Rule. I had just moved to New Mexico three days earlier. contents Driving back that night I got my first look at a New Mexico summer monsoon. Lightning filled the sky and rain fell in 3 NMWA Staffers Much More buckets every 20 miles or so on the highway home. 4 David Ehrman and Craig Chapman In 2003, we finished our massive inventory of New Mexico’s 5 Chaco Canyon wild Bureau of Land Management lands. This inventory 6 Otero Mesa Update covered roughly four million acres. It involved more than 7 Doña Ana County Update 10,000 volunteer hours and the efforts of six paid field staff. It was the most comprehensive inventory ever under- 8 Ute Mountain Update taken on New Mexico public lands, and to date its photo 9 Sabinoso Update documentation and GIS accuracy has been essential in 10 History of the NMWA Board our comments to agencies and in our wilderness proposals 11 A Look Back at the Tried-and-True before Congress. 12 Ghosts of the Guadalupes We began working on wilderness first in the Cabezon 13-16 ORV Special Edition Country, northwest of Albuquerque. That work eventually 17 Adventures in Volunteer Service turned into the Ojito Wilderness Bill that was passed in 18 A Decade of Volunteering 2005. That was our first chance to take the inventory, on 19 Remembering Tom Wootten which we worked so hard, to the elected officials, and to use it in presentations. 20 Return of the Lobo 21 You Can Make a Difference In 2002, while working as the Media director for NMWA, 22-23 Wild Styles I was told by then Board Member Greta Baldarama about 24 Hikes a special grassland known as Otero Mesa. After some map An ancient Englemann Spruce in the San Pedro parks Wilderness Page 2 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 3 searching and talks with our GIS people, we were engulfing the Rocky Mountain West. Meanwhile, we have completed more than began to investigate. We sent our inventory After listening to many diverse speakers at forty projects in these forests, repairing people back into the field and what they the Rally, including rancher Tweeti Blancett trails, restoring streams, blocking access to reported surprised and excited us. Otero and writer Bill Dubois, the moment came wilderness areas by off-road vehicles and Mesa held the largest swath of roadless lands for Governor Richardson to arrive. He hit closing illegal roads. We are doing much of remaining in New Mexico. Not only that, but the stage and demanded that Otero Mesa the work needed to maintain the integrity of Main Office 505/843-8696 • fax 505/843-8697 it was a grassland, filled with pronghorn, be protected, not drilled, and in dramatic these special lands. And we are allowing our [email protected] • www.nmwild.org burrowing owls, prairie dogs, coyotes and fashion, signed an Executive Order to protect members some real “hands-on” time to help P.O. Box 25464, Albuquerque, NM 87125 aplomado falcons as of late. Little did we the area. The Governor signed the order as heal the wounds that man has inflicted on Las Cruces Field Office know that this land would come to define the 700 people cheered wildly, and, for the first these wonderful places. The Forest Service’s 275 N. Downtown Mall Las Cruces, NM 88001 maturation of NMWA as an organization. It time in several years, we all remembered a budget has been cut to the bone, and what 505/527-9962 was a landscape that stole our hearts. The simple thing called hope. used to be routine maintenance is now a Santa Fe Field Office fight to protect Otero Mesa continues today, luxury. But this new reality has given us an 341 E Alameda St We began service projects to repair Santa Fe, NM 87501 but the hundreds of thousands of acres opportunity to help and allowed us time for 505/216-9719 damage on our wild public lands. At the of land once leased to development have hard work and great fun. With Dutch oven Taos Field Office been reduced to about 11,000 acres. The same time, we began the fight to keep the cooking, cold beer and fifteen or twenty 108B Civic Plaza DrIve Clinton Roadless Rule in place for 58.5 Taos, NM 87571 talk of pipeline construction and multi- people, the results can be impressive. In 505/751-7309 national companies is gone, the investors million acres of our wild National Forests. fact, the Forest Service has told us in have left. But the pronghorn, rattlesnakes, We organized, and turned people out for countless thank-you’s that our (your) efforts Mission Statement important hearings. We wrote countless The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is petroglyphs, breathtaking skies and endless are making a difference! dedicated to the protection, restoration, winds are still solidly in control. editorials, visited papers across the state and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s to explain the issue, and made sure that a In 2004, we became seriously involved in wildlands and Wilderness areas. Which reminds me of another great voice for wildlife, a voice for wilderness, and efforts to protect the Valle Vidal from oil and NMWA Staff moment. It was 2004; the Bush Administra- a voice that opposed the turning over of our gas development. From fundraising to media Albuquerque Office tion’s attack on our western public lands was National Forests to off-road vehicles was development to lobbying in Washington, we Stephen Capra, Executive Director Tripp Killin, Associate Director going strong. That winter, on short notice, being heard loud and clear in Washington. worked with a diverse and potent coalition Nathan Newcomer, Grassroots Organizer we pulled together our first Public Lands We also worked closely with the Governor’s of sportsman, businesses and elected Tisha Broska, Membership Coordinator Rally at the Kimo Theater in Albuquerque. office to ensure that New Mexico forests officials to gain strong bi-partisan support Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager Michael Scialdone, Director of Wilderness Protection At that time, the push of the oil and gas were protected. Today, the Roadless Rule has Trisha London, Membership & Grassroots Assistant industry was seemingly unstoppable, as rigs survived countless attempts to eliminate it. continued on page 4 Craig Chapman, Special Events Coordinator Carlsbad Office Steve West, Southeast Director Las Cruces Office Jeff Steinborn, Southern Director Nathan Small, Wilderness Protection Coordinator Santa Fe Office David Ehrman, Outreach Coordinator Taos Office Jim O’Donnell, Northern Director

Board of Directors Wes Leonard, Albuquerque, NM (Chair) Dave Parsons, Albuquerque, NM (Treasurer) Glen Banks, Placitas, NM Pam Eaton, Denver, CO Randy Gray, Lake Valley, NM Christianne Hinks, Albuquerque, NM Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM Tom Mouck, Albuquerque, NM NMWA Staffers Much More Arturo Sandoval, Albuquerque, NM Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM than Nine-to-Fivers Rick Wiedenmann, Carlsbad, NM Newsletter Staff Tisha Broska, Managing Editor Besides our important work on wilderness Donor Advised Fund at the Albuquerque recipient of the 2006 KTAO Environmental Joe Adair, Design Editor and public lands protection, New Mexico Community Foundation. Michael Stewardship Award, and the 2007 recipient James Broska, Copy Editor Wilderness Alliance staff is involved in Scialdone uses his field expertise to serve of the Simple Change Stewardship Award. many facets of our communities. on the State Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Jim has recently completed his first book, What is Wilderness? Board and is a member of the Cibola based on his 5 month backpacking trip The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National In Las Cruces, Jeff Steinborn was elected working group. Trisha London has repre- across Finland. as State Representative this past year. Wilderness Preservation System sented New Mexico Wilderness Alliance to preserve the last remaining During his time at the roundhouse, Jeff at public hearings for Reintroduction of In our new Carlsbad Office, Steve West, wildlands in America. The did a tremendous job of fighting for the River Otter and to oppose trapping was appointed by the governor to be on Wilderness Act, as federal policy, secures “an enduring resource conservation and working to improve the on public lands. She has supported the the board of directors of the New Mexico quality of life for people in his district. Museum of Natural History and Science of wilderness” for the people. Dine (Navajo) people fighting for a clean Wilderness is defined as an area Also in our Las Cruces office, Nate Small energy future on their ancestral lands and and also serves on the local Carlsbad that has primarily been affected was appointed to the Doña Ana County acted as NMWA’s media spokesperson in Museum Board. In addition he serves by the forces of nature with the Planning and Zoning Commission. on the local Crimestoppers Board and is imprint of humans substantially opposition to “Desert Rock”, a proposed unnoticeable. It is an area that currently president of the Chihuahuan In our Albuquerque office, Nathan coal power plant on Navajo lands. Also in offers outstanding opportunity our Albuquerque office, Craig Chapman Desert Conservation Alliance and on the for solitude or a primitive or Newcomer was appointed to the Open unconfined type of recreation, is a member of the Sandia Peak Ski Patrol Board of the Carlsbad Caverns-Guadalupe Space Advisory Board and Stephen Mountains Association. and an area that contains Capra was appointed to the board of the Board of Directors. ecological, geological, or other Albuquerque Zoo, Aquarium and Bio- As you can see, the staff of the New Mexico features of scientific, educational, Jim O’Donnell, in our Taos office, is an scenic, or historical value. park. Tripp Killin, the Alliance’s Associate active member of the Questa Chamber Wilderness Alliance is committed to Director, is a member of the New Mexico of Commerce, chair of his local precinct, creating better communities here in the Please visit us at Association of Grant Makers and has a active in local transportation planning, Land of Enchantment. nmWILD.org

Page 2 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 3 Grasslands for future wilderness proposals, Mexico is the birthplace of both Wilderness and are working hard to protect the and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Acts. Ten Years of wilderness qualities of our National parks in New Mexico and West Texas. Our recent For the past seven years, this has been my Keeping It Wild hiring of Steve West in Carlsbad is designed home. It has been, and remains, a great to maintain our solid science foundation as pleasure and a responsibility. It is a respon- we grow as an organization. Steve will work sibility that the entire staff of NMWA takes continued from page 3 on issues as diverse as endangered species, very seriously. We work for you, and we demand of ourselves-results. “Losing” in for the permanent protection of what many and most recently adding staff in Carlsbad. protesting certain oil and gas development, this line of work does not mean a smaller call the Yellowstone of New Mexico. or the planned construction of roads or In recent years, our wilderness preservation pipelines across biologically sensitive areas. paycheck or a reprimand; it means a loss In 2005, we opened our first Student Chapter proposals have expanded. We are working Steve will help keep our federal agencies of land, water and wildlife. That is simply of NMWA on the campus of the University of on a 330,000-acre proposal in Doña Ana focused on a conservation agenda. As a unacceptable. New Mexico. There students have made the County, and the community support for this teacher for more than thirty years, Steve In Edward Sullivan’s article, he mentions a protection of the Mexican wolf a focal point has been, frankly, overwhelming. More than will help us in developing a conservation moment that I feel embodies our work and of their efforts. The fact that UNM has a lobo 180 businesses signed on in support, along curriculum for students across the state. what makes it so special. as their mascot makes University support of with multiple sportsman groups and the the Mexican Wolf that much more powerful. Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Five city Last December, we moved into a new “green Six years ago, on a cold December day, I was We hope to open our second Student Chapter and county commissions voted in support building”, one that reflects our commitment out in Otero Mesa. It was my third visit to this fall on the campus of New Mexico State of our proposal, and the list goes on. But this to a sustainable and better future. We have the area, and as I crossed the grasslands with University. is southern New Mexico, and it will remain a staff of wonderful, committed people and a friend, we were suddenly startled by the a very tough fight. In the Taos Area, we are a membership that has grown from 250 presence of a mountain lion. It ran slowly, In 2006, we released our first annual Hiking working hard on a 303,000 acre proposal for to close to 6,000, a membership that we and we watched in awe as it cut across the Guide and began in earnest leading hikes a wilderness/National Conservation Area all feel is second to none. You have helped grass miles from any mountain. Later that across the state, often to areas we have been that encompasses parts of the Rio Grande us grow and we have matured before your afternoon, I climbed a small peak for cell working to protect. These hikes have been Gorge and Ute Mountain. This proposal, eyes. Your support has opened the door to phone service and called Edward, who was both fun and challenging. We look forward to once again, has tremendous local support landscape protection across the state and preparing to speak at our annual Christmas many more miles and to getting more people from elected officials and businesses, and has literally stopped oil and gas fields from party. My message (which I screamed into out in our new Taos, Santa Fe and Carlsbad we are continuing to work this effort towards destroying some of our wildest grasslands. the phone as the cold wind blasted me) was locations. the introduction of legislation. In June, Our annual membership meetings are like that I had seen a mountain lion a few hours a homecoming; as old friends meet new Over the years, our staff has grown from a Congressman Udall introduced legislation earlier, in the heart of Otero Mesa. Barely members and keep us going strong. starting pair to our current dozen. Some to protect more than 20,000 acres of land in containing my excitement I said we must eastern New Mexico on the Great Plains. The have left our ranks and gone on to work We are ten years old. Actually, we are ten protect this place, for it has a wild spirit. As I area is known as Sabinoso. We have worked in the political arena or to advance their years young. Yet New Mexico remains second climbed down that peak, with the sun setting to lay a solid foundation of support for this education. Some have gone to Washington to last in the West in the percentage of its on the Guadalupes, I knew in my heart we proposal and we thank the Congressman for to work for other conservation organizations. land area protected as wilderness. We’re even would never stop trying. his strong support, and hope to see this bill But for the past three years or so, no one has behind Florida, Hawaii and New Hampshire. move through committee soon. left and as I mentioned, we have continued to The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is grow, opening new offices in Santa Fe, Taos We are actively looking at areas in the Kiowa working hard to change that. Ironically, New

Activist Helps Wilderness Alliance Establish Santa Fe Membership Presence

David Ehrman is our new Santa Fe staff member. He lived in Denver, Colorado and participated in the successful campaign to stop the proposal to explode nuclear weapons underground to stimulate natural gas production in western Colorado. Ehrman worked for former U.S. Senator Nature, Hiking Enthusiast Joins Floyd Haskell of Colorado in NMWA to Aid in Marketing, his Denver office with respon- sibilities for Rocky Flats, the Event Promotion Waste Isolation Pilot Plan Craig Chapman is the newest member (WIPP) and Veterans health New Mexico because of his love of the of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. issues. David will expand Mountains. He is an active Ski Patroller He comes to the environmental volunteer action on a variety and also has a passion for mountain community after 25 years in sales and of issues effecting wilderness, biking, which he does to stay in shape marketing in the banking industry. including the restriction of oil and for skiing. Craig has brought a new protection and new wilderness legislation. Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, he gas drilling in sensitive wilderness perspective to NMWA coming from David will be recruiting existing and new spent his early years as a military areas and protection of the Mexican the private sector. He plans to utilize Alliance members to become a powerful brat following his father around the Wolf. He believes Santa Feans are his sales and marketing experience to group for the restoration and protection of world. Craig has lived in New Mexico taking a leadership role in New Mexico promote Wilderness. wilderness. for over 20 years settling down in and Washington, D.C. on wilderness

Page 4 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 the park will also help keep out any large 1993, a Cadastral survey revealed that the scale development, like cell phone towers, important ruins actually lie just outside power line corridors, or large-scale infra- the park’s boundaries, falling between structure. Tribal Trust Lands and Bureau of Land Management lands. The park is now Chaco Paving County Road/Infrastructure working to get this previous surveying Another issue facing the park is the error corrected to protect this irreplaceable potential paving of county road 7950, the resource. Canyon primary access to Chaco from highway What can be done? 550. This would have a cascading effect on the park. Paving the road would mean Chaco Canyon needs our help. Fixing its National Monument on the Brink opening the park to far more visitors. But many problems will take time, but it can it would also change the type of visitor the be done. New Mexico Wilderness Alliance park receives. With the paving of the road suggests all the following: will likely come tour buses. This means the park will be faced with large groups Stopping any oil and gas development on of visitors concentrated in small areas. adjacent State Lands. The archeological resources of the park It is important for the long-term protection are in no position to handle such an influx. of the park to stop the paving of County Even at current visitor levels, the park’s Road 7950. This project is guaranteed to infrastructure is completely overwhelmed. overwhelm the park’s limited resources. Water and sewage treatment, protective resources, restrooms, parking spots and Gaining the support of Congressman Udall the visitor center are already stretched to on a wilderness proposal for Chaco Canyon capacity. will ensure the long-term protection of the park’s unique landscape and cultural An instructive example exists with the treasures. park’s septic system. In the campground

by Stephen Capra does not want these lands developed. For the past one hundred years, the one thing When it was created on March 11, 1907, that has helped protect Chaco Canyon is its few could have predicted that one hundred remote nature and the fact that there has years later, this magnificent park, once at been an absence of roads on its periphery. the center of Puebloan culture, would be But with increased seismic and/or drilling threatened by a myriad of development activities, roads will be built making it schemes and plagued by consistent easier to access parts of Chaco that to-date government under-funding and neglect. As have been inaccessible. This will most we look at Chaco Canyon today, it remains likely result in the destruction of the very a land that is both fantastic and a place treasures that lead to the park’s creation. of great promise, but it is a landscape in serious need of our help. Wilderness State Lands On the positive side, more than 20,000 acres of land inside the park qualifies as Like so many parts of New Mexico, one wilderness. The New Mexico Wilderness area alone, the system has completely failed Stopping the construction of Desert Rock of Chaco’s greatest threats is oil and gas Alliance is working to see that these wild development on state lands. Even the and campground waste is being pumped Power Plant will protect the park for the and culturally important lands are given and hauled by truck up to the current future. It remains incredible with all we seismic testing for oil and gas creates a full wilderness protection. We are also great threat for the thousands of fragile sewage treatment system. The result is that know about global warming that we are looking at lands on the periphery of the capacity for overnight camping has been even having this debate in 2007, especially ruins in and around the park’s boundaries. park to see if any could be included in a The oil company Cimarex currently holds reduced by 50%. in a state blessed with more than 300 days wilderness proposal. These periphery of sunshine per year. Think solar! leases on state land near the park, close lands would create a buffer for the park Desert Rock enough to be visible from the park’s visitor and halt the development of any new Getting the various agencies to come center if developed. In 2006, State Land roads that would open remote parts of the As if all of this was not enough, the together to discuss the vexing problems Commissioner Patrick Lyons stated that he park to vandalism. Creating wilderness in park now has a new threat: the potential the park faces and work towards solutions construction of Desert Rock Power Plant, that put the protection of the park and its less than 40 miles from Chaco Canyon. resources first is another important step. If constructed, air quality in the park is projected to further degrade and visibility, Call For Action: according to NPS studies, would drop by Congressman Tom Udall more than 55% on bad air days. The power Santa Fe Office plant remains a contentious issue, with the 811 St. Michael’s Drive, Suite 104 outcome far from certain. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Tel (505) 984-8950 Park Boundaries Fax (505) 986-5047 Finally, and perhaps most unbelievably, is State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons the fact that many years ago a separate unit P.O. Box 1148 of the park, the Pueblo Pintado Outlier was Santa Fe, NM 87504-1148 Fajada Butte created to protect significant archeological Phone: (505) 827-5760 sites outside the main park boundaries. In Fax: (505) 827-5766

Page 4 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 Otero Mesa Update where we stand

sportsmen, seniors, and students attended In spite of this, Republican Rep. Heather In 2002, a leak was discovered in a 6-inch this groundbreaking event. The message Wilson of Albuquerque is in a distinct crude oil gathering line near Monument, just a Sign was clear: Otero Mesa’s fresh water aquifer, position to ensure that New Mexico’s largest, south of Hobbs. Approximately 2,100 barrels abundant wildlife and expansive grasslands freshwater aquifer is preserved for future of oil leaked from the pipeline, contaminating of the are much more valuable than a few days generations. five acres of soil and polluting groundwater. worth of oil and gas. This pipeline was only two years old. In In April, Wilson introduced the New Mexico 2005, the New Mexico Oil Conservation Times Communities such as Alamogordo, Ruidoso, Aquifer Assessment Act of 2007. This bill, Division compiled information regarding Truth or Consequences, and Las Cruces which calls on Interior to study several effects on groundwater from leaks, spills and have recognized that 90 percent of the state aquifers in New Mexico, including the Salt releases from oil and gas operations. There depends on groundwater for drinking water, Basin Aquifer under Otero Mesa, seeks to were close to 1,400 groundwater pollution and that wild public lands are a boon for study aquifer recharge rates, the relationship instances that are attributed to oil and gas bringing in billions of dollars to the state between surface and subsurface water flow, activities over the past decade. Industry economy. and the vulnerability of aquifers to contami- claims to conduct “environmentally sound nation. The Outdoor Industry Association recently drilling,” but the facts and data demonstrate issued a report that found that $3.8 billion Domenici and Bingaman have introduced their failure to protect our dwindling water is contributed annually to the local economy a similar bill in the Senate. Their version of resources. specifically from active outdoor recreation. the bill has already passed out of committee, Representative Wilson could take a strong Furthermore, active outdoor recreation whereas Wilson’s bill has yet to be heard in leadership role by adding an amendment to supports 47,000 jobs statewide, produces the House Natural Resources Subcommittee her version of the aquifer act, mandating a $184 million in annual sales tax revenue, on Water and Power. This situation gives moratorium on drilling and leasing in Otero By Nathan Newcomer and generates $2.75 billion in retail sales and Wilson a chance to make a real difference in Mesa. Such an amendment will provide the services. preserving the valuable aquifer under Otero assurance needed to study the Salt Basin Otero Mesa, NM—This past July, I watched Mesa. Following the success of the Alamogordo Aquifer without risking the possibility of as the monsoons showered the expansive contamination. grasslands of Otero Mesa. Not a single day Public Forum, New Mexico’s two federal While the New Mexico Aquifer Assessment of my visit went by without the rain, cool senators, Pete Domenici (R-NM), and evening temperatures, or herds of pronghorn Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), along with galloping across the horizon. Democratic Rep. Tom Udall of Santa Fe, wrote letters to the Department of Beyond visiting the wildest grassland left Interior (Interior) and the Bureau of in America, I was excited to connect with a Land Management (BLM) requesting dear friend: Steve West. Mr. West is a veteran, that the agencies halt all oil and gas former mayor and public school teacher, leasing and drilling in Otero Mesa. and comes to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance as our newest staff member, based This bipartisan call for a drilling out of Carlsbad, NM. moratorium in America’s wildest grassland would allow for a thorough On our first night of camping near Alamo study of the area’s Salt Basin Aquifer Mountain, we both witnessed a spectacle to be completed. Preliminary reports that few have experienced. A full-moon rose by the U.S. Geological Survey, Sandia and shed its light against a storm moving National Laboratories in Albuquerque westward. Amidst the darkness on the slopes and the New Mexico Interstate Stream of Otero Mesa stood a graybow, or rainbow Commission have found that Otero that lacked the sunlight to illuminate its Mesa’s Salt Basin Aquifer potentially colorful prose. We stared at this tall, thick, holds a 156-year water supply. These gray rainbow for nearly thirty minutes; studies also documented that recharge immersed in its symbolism, in its rarity. for the Salt Basin Aquifer comes in large part from surface water runoff in This single gray rainbow, perched high above Otero Mesa and that recharge areas are Otero Mesa is a symbol of hope and perse- generally vulnerable to contamination. verance. For nearly ten years, Otero Mesa has Additionally, the basin contains areas remained a wild landscape free from oil and of rapid groundwater movement, which gas development thanks in large part to the can make the entire system vulnerable dedication of our members and volunteers to the rapid spread of pollution. across the state. However, less than a month after the Act of 2007 recognizes the need to study We have a moral obligation to ourselves and The story of the graybow began on April congressional delegation made their bipar- our groundwater, it does absolutely nothing future generations not to risk destroying 19th, when the New Mexico Wilderness tisan call for common sense to further study to ensure that the BLM will halt oil and gas Otero Mesa’s water, land and wildlife for a Alliance organized the Otero Mesa Public this precious water resource, the Department leasing and drilling in Otero Mesa while few days’ worth of oil and gas. A drilling Forum in Alamogordo, NM. This public of Interior and BLM rejected their request. forum brought together a broad coalition the study of the Salt Basin Aquifer moves moratorium amendment to the New Mexico of ranchers, hunters, conservationists and The moratorium rejection by Interior forward. It would be utterly foolish to Aquifer Assessment Act of 2007 is the best water experts. and BLM signifies the agencies’ failure to begin studying the basin while allowing next step to ensure the preservation of a wild guarantee the safety of Otero Mesa’s water drilling at the same time, for industry could landscape and its large, freshwater aquifer. Almost 200 people from Alamogordo, resources and thus the quality of life for New be contaminating the water just as we’re http://nmwild.org/action including teachers, parents, ranchers, Mexicans. starting to understand it.

Page 6 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 DOÑA ANA COUNTY UPDATE

outdoorsman, hunter, and wildlife viewing, and hunting. Yet the current New Mexico State large, still roadless portions of the complex President of the National Wild will remain intact and be protected.” Turkey Federation; Dr. Paul Deason, High Tech Consortium Bates is familiar with the debate and of Southern New Mexico board compromise process that has taken place member, longtime military over the last year regarding the wilderness analyst, and Boy Scout Leader; proposals for these areas. He concludes, Raul Garcia, President of the “Every effort has been made to address the Hispano Chamber of Commerce concerns of the various entities involved in de Las Cruces; and District 1 the process, and I think the compromises County Commissioner Oscar that have been made in an effort to protect Vásquez Butler. New Mexico these areas, and yet protect the rights and Wilderness Alliance’s Grass- privileges of the various user groups, have roots Organizer, Nathan Small, been good ones. It is a good proposal, and also went. the citizens of this area should support it.”

Bates, a New Mexico State Mike and Kathy Groves recently visited University graduate in Wildlife the Broad Canyon proposed wilderness Science and owner of Castle for the first time. They too were impressed, Construction Company says, writing, “The views from the ridgeline “Protecting wilderness is truly walk were spectacular. We saw mountain in the best interests of the ranges in three directions, all from one places and people of Southern viewpoint. This area is still an unspoiled New Mexico”. After exploring treasure that should be preserved for these areas for years with the enjoyment of future generations.” by Nathan Small questions about State Land Commissioner family and friends, he feels strongly that A renowned photographer, Groves’ Patrick Lyon’s conduct, could double the panoramic photo is on New Mexico Wild’s The monsoon season is sweeping through protecting the Broad Canyon complex size of Las Cruces adding nearly 90,000 back page so you can see some of Broad southern New Mexico. Combined with last is critical. “Most people do not realize new residents. Canyon’s beauty for yourself. summer’s late rains and wet winter, the just how spectacular and wild the Broad new moisture means the wild places in Alongside such large development projects, Canyon area is. Looking at it from the With over 180 businesses, 30 organiza- Doña Ana County, like Broad Canyon, are the Citizen’s Proposed Wilderness and highways that pass by, it is relatively tions, and people like Jim Bates, Raul awash in green. Seeing far greater changes National Conservation Area stands alone nondescript. It is not until you actually Garcia, Paul Deason and Oscar Butler, the ahead, Doña Ana County citizens recently in seeking to protect the area’s rich natural get back into that country that you realize Citizen’s Proposal enjoys strong support. reached historic agreement, and are now heritage. Passage of the Recent meetings with working together to bring protected proposal would mean the offices of Senators wilderness to a county with none. permanent protection for Pete Domenici and the county’s natural crown Jeff Bingaman in Local citizens recognize the impending, jewels, from the Organ Washington, D.C. region-shifting development. Drive north Mountains, east to Broad confirmed that both of Las Cruces and you find a world where Canyon and the Robledos/ are committed to space travel for tourists at Spaceport Sierra de Las Uvas, and working together and America is being planned alongside then south to the Potrillo with the community family ranching operations. Drive south Mountains complex. in crafting a strong and you advance toward the Verde Realty conservation Group’s planned development, close to Four community leaders measure. Also, both Pete Domenici Highway. As reported by from Las Cruces and Senators have distin- writer Laura Paskus of High Country Doña Ana County recently guished records News, the Verde Group intends the visited Washington, for protecting New development to eventually house 100,000 D.C, carrying with them Mexico’s natural residents. Based upon the border maqui- impressive credentials treasures. Senator ladora industry, the community will rise and the backing of a just how impressive and unique it is. The Bingaman just helped end a dubious from desert dunes near the West Potrillo broad, diverse community coalition. They wilderness proposal allows for some of Wilderness drought, introducing and Mountains Wilderness Study Area, which climbed Capitol Hill to deliver a simple the key roads in the area to be left open so shepherding through the 2005 Ojito at nearly 150,000 acres is New Mexico’s message to our Congressional delegation: people can actually drive to locations that Wilderness Act, New Mexico’s first new largest. Near the Organ Mountains, the introduce wilderness legislation and offer fantastic views of the area and access wilderness in 18 years. Senator Domenici’s controversial Vistas at Presidio Planned protect our natural heritage, NOW! to excellent recreational opportunities Development, which has raised public such as hiking, camping, photography, The four were: Jim Bates, lifelong continued on page 27

Page 6 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 NCA proposal was made in 1991. So the this proposal and, in late June, Governor answer to the question of ‘why not bigger?” Richardson sent a letter to Senator UTE MOUNTAIN is that it can’t be. There isn’t enough Federal Bingaman expressing his support for the land left NCA proposal. The Governor urged swift update introduction and passage of the NCA The lesson is that this legislation needs legislation. and area Mayors to move now. No more missed opportu- flew from Taos nities and no more loss of our incredible The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Regional Airport wildlands. To that end, NMWA staff are wants to see legislation creating a National up the Rio Grande working with local and statewide organi- Conservation Area in Taos County intro- Gorge and over the zations and with area volunteers to move duced early this fall. Your continued sprawling 303,000 this proposal forward. On top of the flight communication with Senators Bingaman acres proposed for mentioned above, working with the New and Domenici on this issue will help meet protection. Most of Mexico Wildlife Federation and other that goal. Let’s not miss another huge those on the flight sportsmen’s organizations, we took fifteen opportunity. had crossed this Taos area sportsmen on a flight over the land by foot, horse area. We will host another flight in mid- http://nmwild.org/action or car for most of September for community members who their lives, but this were not able to attend the July 16th flight. was the first time An aggressive business canvass is under WANT TO HELP? they’d seen it from way with the help of the Latino Sustain- Taos County NCA the air. The response ability Institute. We aim to gain the support Needs Your Help was overwhelmingly of more than 100 local businesses for the Taos County National supportive. In fact, several Taos County NCA proposal by the end of August. We Few voters ever visit with Commissioners expressed disappointment Conservation Area have also begun working with local elected members of Congress or that the proposal was not bigger. And why officials to pass resolutions supporting the Congressional Staff. Those that Proposal Gains Support is it not bigger? In the early 1990s, then- initiative, all the while assuring active local do, make a large impression of Local Officials Representative Bill Richardson proposed input on the crafting of the legislation. and an even larger impact on a Conservation Area for Taos and Rio Our goal is to support Senator Bingaman’s the legislation that is both NMWA Aims to See Legislation This Fall Arriba Counties being considered and already that was double introduced. We are looking for By Jim O’Donnell ….tens of thousands of acres of public the size of the NMWA members who would be On July 16, eighteen Taos County elected current proposal. land were sold off since the first NCA willing to take 15-30 minutes to officials and Chamber of Commerce That’s right, over proposal was made in 1991. meet with Congressional staff members joined NMWA staff and 600,000 acres in Santa Fe to express support Lighthawk volunteers on a fly-over of stretching from proposal while demonstrating to Senator for the proposed Taos County the proposed Taos County National the Colorado border to Ojo Caliente. In the Domenici that there is wide-spread and National Conservation Area. Conservation Area. State Senators, intervening years, tens of thousands of acres powerful passion for this initiative across If you would like to help, Representatives, County Commissioners of public land were sold off since the first the county. please contact Jim O’Donnell, Northern Director, NMWA at Two New Mexico wilderness delegations 505-751-7309. Valle Vidal Champion Joins NMWA have likewise visited DC on behalf of Fight for Northern NM Land

Jim O’Donnell was one of New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s original employees back in the late 1990s. A native of southern Colorado and a twenty-year New Mexico resident, Jim most recently headed up the Coalition for the Valle Vidal’s successful efforts to prevent coalbed methane development. Jim is a former archaeologist and holds a masters degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico. He has long been active in our state’s conservation community. Based in Taos, he leads the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s efforts to achieve Wilderness protection for some of the most dramatic landscapes in the state.

Page 8 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Rep. Udall Requests Hearing on Sabinoso Wilderness Bill

By Jim O’Donnell mittee on National parks, Forests and the House for a full vote. Udall’s staff has On the ground, New Mexico Wilderness Public Lands, chaired by Wilderness expressed thanks and enthusiasm for the Alliance board member Arturo Sandoval Calling Sabinoso one of New Mexico’s champion Raul Grijalva of Arizona, has yet “hundreds” of letters they have received and local volunteers continue to work on “most precious gems”, Representative Tom to respond but is expected to hear HR2632 from New Mexico Wilderness Alliance access to the area. Sabinoso has long been Udall requested a hearing for the Sabinoso sometime this summer. The bill will next members in support of HR2632. If you “land locked” by the private lands that Wilderness Act of 2007 (HR2632). The be heard by the full Committee on Natural haven’t written your letter of thanks to Rep. surround it. NMWA has been negotiating Committee on Natural Resources Subcom- Resources before moving to the floor of Udall, please do so as soon as possible. with rancher Jesse Esquivel, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish seeks to make Sabinoso accessible to the public through the department’s Open Gate program. Funds have been set aside to get an appraisal of the access route in August 2007. The purchase will take place later this year.

We will keep you posted on the latest developments regarding this bill and how you can help.

Thank you Tom Udall, for Protecting Sabinoso! Contact Congressman Udall TODAY and thank him! 505-984-8950

“New Mexico is filled with extraordinary landscapes, complex and diverse ecosystems, and some of the most breathtaking natural environ- ments in the country. One of New Mexico’s most precious gems is the Sabinoso Wilderness Area which is located forty miles east of Las Vegas, New Mexico and twenty-five miles northwest of Conchas Dam State park. The Sabinoso Wilderness Study Area encompasses approximately 20,000 acres of sweeping native lands and overlays a thick section of colorful sedimentary rocks typical of desert rock formations throughout the West. The area’s scenic and densely vegetated landscape is also home to a rich diversity of wildlife such as red-tailed hawks, western scrub jays, broad-tailed hummingbirds, mule deer, bobcats and grey foxes. All of these natural resources will provide outstanding natural opportunities to hunt, hike, horseback ride, take photographs and simply experience the unspoiled lands of our ancestors.” – Rep. Tom Udall, June 29, 2007

Udall Introduces The Sabinoso Wilderness Act

On June 7, 2007, U.S. Representative Tom Udall said. “Traveling through the area, “New Mexico is filled with extraordinary Udall, D-N.M. introduced legislation in which has exceptional scenery and deep landscapes, and as your representative, it is the House to designate as wilderness the canyons abundant with wildlife, it became my honor and duty to help preserve these Sabinoso BLM land unit. Under Udall’s evident that the unique area deserves to be beautiful and historical areas for future proposal, approximately 20,000 acres protected so that it can be explored and generations,” Udall concluded. of land situated in San Miguel County, enjoyed by everyone for many genera- 40 miles east of Las Vegas and 25 miles tions.” northwest of Conchas Dam State park, would assume official wilderness status. Udall’s bill is supported by the New Mexico The proposed wilderness area will perma- State Legislature. Last session, led by nently protect lands in and around what State Representative Thomas Garcia, the is now known as the Sabinoso Wilderness legislature unanimously passed Memorial Study Area. 53 which calls on the N.M. Congressional delegation to support the establishment of “Last spring, I took the opportunity to the Sabinoso Wilderness Area. explore the Sabinoso area on horseback,”

Page 8 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 organization’s early days. Dave, one of the never strays from its primary mission to most original conservation thinkers of our protect the wild places of New Mexico. The History of times, provided many, if not most, of the philosophical underpinnings that guide Since its inception in 1997, thirty-five the work of NMWA. Dave’s insistence that individuals have served on the NMWA the NMWA Board NMWA base its actions on science has been Board, and each has made a contribution critical to virtually all of its activities. to the success of the organization. Of the current 12 members of the board, 4 were New Mexico has a rich conservation areas in 1987. Responding to the challenge, It could be said that the late Bob founding members and 3 have served heritage starting with Aldo Leopold who a group of New Mexico conservationists Langsenkamp was the soul of NMWA. Bob continuously since 1997. was responsible for the creation of the came together in 1997 to start a new also had been involved in the old Study The current board includes Wesley Leonard nation’s first designated wilderness- the organization that would consolidate gains Committee and had been the New Mexico (Chair), Bob Howard, Bob Tafanelli, and Gila in 1924. This tradition continued made earlier but, more importantly, would representative for the Wilderness Society Pam Eaton. Others are Randy Gray (Vice- move aggressively to ensure that in the late 1970’s. Later, he served for 14 Chair), retired chief biologist for the USDA all wild places in the state would years in the State Land Office, where he rose Natural Resource Service; Dave Parsons be protected. That organization, to the position of Deputy Commissioner. (Treasurer), former head of the Mexican of course, was the New Mexico Bob’s guidance, wisdom and wit have been Gray Wolf Re-introduction program for the Wilderness Alliance (NMWA). greatly missed since his untimely death in 2002. Bob’s straight thinking and good FWS; Rick Weidenmann, Biology professor, The group that started NMWA humor has left a lasting imprint on NMWA NMSU Carlsbad; Tom Mouck, Ph.D., and became its first board of that will not fade. directors included individuals who were already “giants” in New Bob Tafanelli, PhD and Tom Mexico conservation, as well as Wootten, long time activists others who would become the representing the southern part future of conservation in the of the state, have helped to keep state. Among the giants who had us involved in the more arid, but been working for decades were never the less, critical wild places Bob Howard, Dave Foreman, in New Mexico. One result is that Bob Langsenkamp, Bob Tafanelli, NMWA’s biggest conservation Tom Wootten and Wesley efforts to date have been in the Leonard. Others on the original Chihuahuan desert near Las board were Rick Aster, professor Cruces and the grasslands of Otero at New Mexico Tech; Jim Baca, Mesa. Bob, a wildlife biologist, Accounting professor UNM; Glen Banks former National BLM Director, and Tom, a native plant expert, have helped Educational Sales, Macintosh Computers; State Land Commissioner and us, like Dave Foreman, keep our efforts Arturo Sandoval, consultant and organizer Mayor of Albuquerque; Pam grounded in science. of the original Earth Day; Todd Schulke, Eaton, Deputy Vice President Finally, Wesley Leonard, current NMWA founder and Vice President of the Center through the work of Senator Clinton of the Wilderness Society; Kathy Love, Chair, is another founding board member for Biological Diversity; and Christianne P. Anderson, one of the Senators most Albuquerque Attorney; Greg Magee, Las who has been active for more than Hinks, Director of the Confluence Project. responsible for passage of the Wilderness Cruces Landscape Architect; Nancy Morton, three decades in New Mexico conser- Act in 1964. Five wilderness areas were Nursing Professor at UNM, Jeff Regenold, The board serves without pay and has the vation. Wesley was involved in the Study established in New Mexico by the 1964 Los Alamos Police Officer, Joe Rodriguez, primary responsibility of setting the goals Committee and served several terms as Act. There are now 24 wilderness areas in El Paso CPA; and Jack Humphrey, Conser- and policies that guide NMWA. Final Chair of the El Paso Regional Group of the the state, each of which has its own story of vation Activist. authority for all of NMWA’s activities resides Sierra Club. In 2006, he was honored by the how it was established. None would have with the board under New Mexico non- Wilderness Society with its Environmental been created, however, without the tireless Bob Howard, M.D., PhD, a retired medical profit corporate law. While the dedicated Hero Award and by the Campaign for efforts of local conservationists. doctor and consultant was the first Chair of and talented staff works tirelessly on a daily the NMWA Board. Bob had been active in America’s Wilderness with its Wilderness basis to move NMWA’s campaigns forward, The work of these local conservationists the Study Committee in the 1970’s and had Hero Award. Wesley, a retired Research the board is NMWA’s link to New Mexico’s has been focused through several state- served as Chair of the Rio Grande Chapter Center Director at University of Texas, El rich volunteer conservation heritage that wide organizations starting with the old of the Sierra Club. He was also active at the Paso, has worked to ensure that NMWA began many decades ago. New Mexico Wilderness Study Committee national level, having been Treasurer and in the 1970’s. Other organizations included Vice Chair of the Sierra Club. Bob and his the New Mexico BLM Wilderness Coalition wife, Phillenore, essentially were NMWA in and the New Mexico Wilderness Coalition the early days. They raised money, put out which continued the work started by the the newsletter, held meetings, and fought Study Committee a decade earlier. Volun- the conservation battle. All of this was done teers from the Rio Grande Chapter of the from their home near Santa Fe. Without the Sierra Club were also important players efforts of Bob and Phillenore, it is doubtful in New Mexico’s conservation history- that NMWA could have become what it is especially in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. today. After Bob Howard, Martin Heinrich, Randy Gray and Dave Parsons each served It became apparent in the late 1990’s, time as the NMWA Board Chair. however, that the New Mexico conservation movement needed a boost and a new Another couple who was instrumental direction. Pointing to this was the fact in getting NMWA established was Nancy that there had been no new wilderness Morton and Dave Foreman. Nancy was legislation in the state since the creation of NMWA’s first Secretary and was respon- the West Malpais and Cebolla Wilderness sible for recording the history of the Nancy Morton

Page 10 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 A Look Back at the Tried-and-True

Photos by Michael Berman without sleeping out under the stars. Along One of the last people to join the roster with a recent college grad, Matt Clark, Scial before I left was none other than Mr. engineered the massive effort to catalogue Stephen Capra. Steve has a potent combi- every road, two-track, and burro path in nation of passion for Wilderness and the the state of New Mexico. I admired their gift of gab that made him the perfect person ability to spend hours pouring over maps to run our press operation. On his first trip and aerial photographs, and took my to Otero Mesa, Steve saw a mountain lion. lessons well when Scial had to correct my He recounted the story with a fanatical fieldwork. energy; I could tell he was a changed man. He has since made protecting Otero Mesa We made a strategic decision early on his personal priority and I’d say he’s done to focus on promotion and growth. We more than anyone thought was possible. staged press conferences, involved local As Executive Director, Steve has turned leaders, raised money, and tried as best we the political capital we slowly built over could to make Wilderness a household idea those early years into real victories for in New Mexico. At the same time, organi- Wilderness not only in Otero Mesa, but zations like the Wilderness Support Center across New Mexico. and the Pew Wilderness Center did the real heavy lifting for us. As the unsung heroes For all of us in those days the line between of those early years, Brian O’Donnell, our work life and private life was blurred Melyssa Watson, and Michael Carroll made – everything we did seven days a week

Dave Parsons and Edward Sullivan

By Edward Sullivan In those days, a mailing to our membership list of 300 individuals mostly inherited Two geeky guys in their 20’s, one computer, from the defunct New Mexico Wilderness two desks (one on loan), a file cabinet, Coalition would fit in my two hands. And and an oil heater that Scial used to stay with less than $10,000 in the bank, survival warm in the basement of our subleased and growth was task number one. Board office around the corner from Padilla’s in Chair Bob Howard told me on my first day Albuquerque… Those were the total assets about our “priority” list of 53 tasks, but of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance at the top of that list was “Raise enough when I started in March of 1999. When money to pay Edward and Scial.” I look back now on all the organization has accomplished since its humble begin- Scial was the other out of towner the board nings, I can only admire and appreciate the had hired in 1999. He was a Wildernut of tireless dedication of those staff that have the highest caliber and actually broke out stayed involved for the long haul. in hives if he went more then five nights everything seem easy. It was like having a was in some way related to NMWA. Our personal team of consultants at the ready vacations were river trips with Board 24 hours a day. Their contribution to members. Our friends were other staff NMWA in those early years was invaluable, and volunteers. And our nights were spent and my gratitude to them remains immea- plotting over microbrews at the old Kelly’s. surable. Life was good, and I look back on those times fondly. And as the “new thing” in the conser- vation community in New Mexico, we While I am proud of what we accomplished enjoyed great success in the press. Our building the organization in the early days, membership grew, as did our ability to I am even more admirable of those staff affect policy. I spent more and more time members that have stuck with NMWA on the road raising money and lobbying, over the years and the victories they have and we quickly realized we needed more won in the name of Wilderness since then. help. I met Tisha with her then still Here’s to the 10th Anniversary of NMWA boyfriend James on a hike near Cabezon. and to many more victories for Wilderness A thunderstorm struck as we were about in New Mexico in the next 10! to set off, and we all clamored into the back of their pick-up and began to talk. Edward Sullivan was director of the Within a few months, she was hired as our NMWA from 1999 to 2002. Since then newsletter and membership coordinator, he has worked as a travel writer and a and our membership numbers took off. In political consultant for progressive and fact, if you joined NMWA since 2000, it was pro-democracy candidates in Europe, Latin probably Tisha’s doing. America, and Africa. He can be reached at Bob Howard [email protected].

Page 10 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 Ghosts of the Guadalupes

By Steve West Confused? Well, obviously so are the specialists. Guadalupe Mountains National park is an amazing place. To someone driving What we do know is that this population by it looks just like another series of hills is very small. Work done in the early and canyons, terminating in a pretty 1970’s showed two things: the population impressive series of cliffs at the south was confined to The Bowl; and it had less end. But, to a biologist (and to geolo- than 50 individuals. Whether a race of the gists, hikers, and cavers), the Guadalupe Eastern Cottontail or a race of the species Mountains are a remarkable place with also found in the Davis Mountains, or about 1,000 species of plants, 350 species one unique to The Bowl, no one knows. of birds, thousands of species of moths, What we do know is that this mammal and more. There is even a species of tiger population is one of the smallest in the beetle whose worldwide range is the size nation, and if it is a species restricted to of a few football fields. The largest native The Bowl, it would have to be the rarest snail in North America is found only in endemic mammal in the United States. the Guadalupes. In reality, the Guadalupes hold many unknowns. Sadly, there were no Everyone likes cottontails (or should). doubt many species that disappeared over They are cute, tied in with our own culture the past century or two that were never and play a vital role in the ecosystem on catalogued, collected, or even enjoyed just several layers. What needs to happen with Dick Johnson for their own existence. this population in The Bowl? National park Service (NPS) management plans need The high part of the Guadalupes holds to make sure that habitat exists for this relict forests that are more typical of species. Fires may be necessary at times to Veteran, Former Mayor, Teacher northern New Mexico and states further promote new growth but above all else, any north. Aspens occur and large stands of NPS actions dealing with The Bowl need and Long-Time Activist Joins old conifers are found across the top. One to take this (and numerous other species) Wilderness Alliance Staff of the more interesting sites is “The Bowl”, into account. Surveys and searches need a forested depression on top of this ancient to continue for this species elsewhere in reef with good stands of grass and much the high country of the Guadalupes and of this relict forest. Several species of birds in adjacent highlands in southern New breed there and no place else in Texas. Mexico. The taxonomic question needs to The Guadalupe Vole is also restricted to be answered. Does Guadalupe Mountains The Bowl. But there is an intriguing little National park indeed have the rarest mammal also found there that poses mammal on the continent existing in a questions that relate to our understanding relict pine forest? of the world around us and provokes a call to action. So many life forms have blinked out of the Guadalupe Mountains (wolves, Grizzly In 1909, a biologist by the name of Nelson Bear, White-tailed Deer) and so many examined specimens from The Bowl and other forms are extremely rare and about decided that the cottontail population to disappear (Black Bear, Zone-tailed there was distinct enough to be regarded Hawk, Montezuma Quail, etc.). Here is a as a separate species, Sylvilagus robustus. chance to study one of those life forms that Previously, the population there had been have existed on top of the mountain for considered part of the Eastern Cottontail thousands of years but may be gone within (Sylvilagus floridanus) complex. This our lifetime. Habitat deterioration, global Carlsbad, NM—Steve West, the for nearly 45 years. thinking continued until 1951 when warming, disease in a small population former Mayor of Loving, NM, a the classic Hall and Kelson treatment and other things may doom it. I am of former Army officer, and former Mr. West has a Masters in Science of mammals of North America came course interested in finding out if this is a Science teacher at Carlsbad High from New Mexico Tech and comes to out where they again moved it back into specific species but more important than School has joined the staff of the New the organization as its Staff Scientist. being a well-marked race of the Eastern that, that this small population which saw Mexico Wilderness Alliance. Mr. West is also an accomplished Cottontail. Other authors have instead the demise of the mammoths and the author with more than 50 articles decided that the population at the top of Grizzly Bears does not join those ghosts of With offices and staff in Albuquerque, and reports published in science the Guadalupes and the Davis Mountains the Guadalupes. Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Taos, and now journals and other periodicals. should be considered as a separate species. Carlsbad, the New Mexico Wilderness Additionally, he has been studying Alliance is one of the largest and grassland bird species in southern most effective conservation groups New Mexico for several decades, in the state. including extensive bird surveys on Otero Mesa. As part of his work “I am very excited to join the on the Chihuahuan desert, Mr. excellent and dedicated staff of the West wrote and published a book New Mexico Wilderness Alliance entitled: “Northern Chihuahuan after working 31 years in the public Desert Wildflowers: A Field Guide to school system,” said Mr. West, who Wildflowers and Other Plants of the has been active in conservation work Desert and its parklands.”

Page 12 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 sh owing th at ORVs ca n a ffect wil dli fe in ma ny ways, in clu d ing d i srup ti on of breed ing patte rns.

At its core, ORV a bu se i s ye t a n oth e r e xa mpl e of corporati ons n ot taking re sponsi bility for th e produ cts th e y create . T h e y a re qu i ck to point to pro gra m s like TREAD Lightly (www.trea dlightly.org) a n d oth e r edu cati on pro gra m s a im ed at redu cing ORV impa cts. T h e se pro gra m s pal e in compa ri son to th e scal e of th e pro bl e m th e y a re atte mp ting to a d d re s s. T h e se a re corporati ons th at ca n a fford multipl e a dve rti se m e nts during major sporting eve nts ye t th e y re ly on alrea dy ca sh-strapped pu bli c a ge n ci e s to d eal with th e pro bl e m th e y h ave created .

T h e Ne w Me xi co Wil d e rn e s s Allia n ce i s e xpa n d ing its e fforts to d eal with th e ORV m e n a ce . As always, we a re wor king on ge tting a rea s d e sign ated a s Wil d e rn e s s un d e r th e Wil d e rn e s s Act. T hi s cl ea r ly make s a n a rea off-limits to ORVs. As th e Fore st Se rvi ce a n d BLM update th e ir Re source Ma n a ge m e nt P l a ns, we a re pu shing th e m to in clu d e a n alyse s of wh e re ORV u se i s in appropriate a n d to cl ea r ly l ay out map s th at sh ow thi s. We a re h eavily involved with th e Fore st Se rvi ce Trave l Ma n a ge m e nt rul e whi ch d irects ea ch Nati on al Fore st to d e sign ate wh e re m otoriz ed trave l ca n occur.

An d we a re rea ching out to our m e mbe rs a n d oth e r citiz e ns con ce rn ed a bout wil dli fe a n d wil d pl a ce s with a cl ea r m e s sa ge: th at th e be st way to re ign in ORV a bu se s a n d e xce s se s i s to ge t involved . By writing l e tte rs a n d sh owing up to m ee ting s, you really ca n make a d i ffe re n ce .

We d i scu s s th e pro bl e m of ORVs in alm ost eve ry n e wsl e tte r, but we th ou ght it wa s tim e to give it m ore focu s. In thi s special ORV secti on i s a story from Kevin Stillma n, a private l a n d-own e r in th e Je m e z Mounta ins, a bout d ealing with th e n oi se a n d da ma ge of ORVs. Greg McRe yn ol d s of Trout Unlimited talks a bout th e n eg ative e ffects of ORVs on Reigning in wil dli fe h a bitat a n d th e e xpe ri e n ce of hunte rs a n d fish e rs. An a rti cl e by Cra ig Off-Road Vehicle Abuse C h apma n of NMWA e mph a siz e s why it i s importa nt to ge t involved in th e Fore st By Michael Scialdone types of recreational activity--has demon- l a n d u se rs. Se rvi ce Trave l Ma n a ge m e nt Rul e . O ur strated the need for a unified Federal h ope i s to edu cate th e pu bli c a bout th e In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed policy toward the use of such vehicles on Today, th e re a re ove r 40 MILLION ORVs tru e scal e of th e ORV pro bl e m. We al so Executive Order 11644, which stated: the public lands.” rea dy to tea r up our pu bli c l a n d s. T h e wa nt to unite th ose th at a re d ealing with scal e of th e pro bl e m i s only beginning to “An estimated 5 million off-road recre- ORVs d irectly du e to wh e re th e y live, wor k, In 1977, President Carter amended the be un d e rstood , whil e th ose th at see n ature or pl ay, a s we ll a s th ose th at ca re a bout ational vehicles--motorcycles, minibikes, Order to try to keep up with the growing only a s a pl aygroun d continu e to be e nti ced trail bikes, snowmobiles, dune-buggies, wil dli fe a n d wil d pl a ce s wh o wa nt to do conflict and degradation that these by sli ck a dve rti sing ca mpa igns. Som e wh at th e y ca n to h e lp. all-terrain vehicles, and others--are in machines created. The Order laid out the ORV pro bl e m s a re o bvi ou s: th e vi sual use in the United States today, and their conditions where ORV use was inappro- blight on a sca rred hill si d e, th e e n dl e s s If you h ave qu e sti ons or woul d like to popularity continues to increase rapidly. priate and directed our land management n oi se th at ru ins th e e xpe ri e n ce of qu i e t ge t involved , pl ea se call our office at 505- The widespread use of such vehicles on agencies to develop and enforce rules to recreati oni sts, or th e litte r th at proli fe rate s 843-8696 a n d talk to Cra ig C h apma n or the public lands--often for legitimate protect resources. Most agencies were wh e reve r ORVs a re comm on. Som e a re M i ch a e l Scial don e . You ca n e ma il th e m at purposes but also in frequent conflict slow to respond to the ORV problem or, l e s s o bvi ou s: th e inva sive weed s sprea d ing cra ig@nmwil d .org or scial@nmwil d .org. with wise land and resource management worse yet, encouraged their use while al ong ORV tra il s or th e in crea sed e rosi on May your n e xt outing to th e wil d s of Ne w practices, environmental values, and other ignoring the displacement of other public of sed im e nts into strea m s. Stu d i e s a re Me xi co be qu i e t a n d sa fe! Page 12 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 The Forest Service Travel Management Rule Preserve your right to the quiet use of your National Forest

What is it? Peak. Why is important to me? La Madera is a little gem hidden on the How do I get involved? northeast side of the Sandia Mountains. It Off-road vehicle (ORV) use has exploded is a seldom-visited, over the last 30 or so years. ORVs include beautiful, secluded motorcycles, ATVs (also called “quads” or retreat. It is a viable “four-wheelers”), jeeps and other vehicles. wildlife corridor to the In 1972 there were approximately 5 million Ortiz and San Pedro ORVs. Now there are over 40 million. Mountains, one of only This increased popularity coincides with a few corridors left in technological advances that enable ORVs a developing region. to penetrate areas that, a generation ago, Additionally, NMWA were beyond reach. Pristine and wild areas is concerned about the are suddenly at risk. User conflicts are fate of two canyons in commonplace. Wildlife is being adversely La Madera: Canyon affected. Water quality is being degraded Tejon, which has a and hills and meadows have ruts and scars. natural running spring, Until now the Forest Service has not had an and Gonzales Canyon, enforceable plan. Motorized vehicles were which is dry but ripe allowed to go anywhere as long as they for restoration. Why were not doing any environmental damage, were we concerned? a term that can be difficult to define. This The canyons were lack of clarity has allowed ORVs to create being proposed by trails and degrade the environment with the motorized folks as little risk of punishment. and mobilized. The next meeting was held being needlessly inflammatory. Letters places for rock crawling. (Rock crawling in Tijeras. The motorized folks showed up addressing specifics are what resonate with In response to the growing ORV problem, is where the 4-wheelers put on huge tires in force – they had doubled their numbers. agency staff. If you know specific trails or the Forest Service established the Travel and make their way over obstacles.) The However, they were now outnumbered 10 problem areas, it is important to share this. Management Rule (TMR). The Rule directs good news is we stopped them cold. By to 1. Newspaper articles were published in If you generally favor quiet recreation and each National Forest to take a hard look at organizing a diverse group opposed to local media. We do not know for sure, but protection of water quality and wildlife all the routes on their lands and determine this type of use, La Madera is no longer due to the large number of comments and habitat, say so. which routes will remain open to motorized proposed for motorized usage. heavy meeting attendance, there is a good The next step is to GET INVOLVED! travel. For quiet recreationists and wildlife Cedro Peak is a heavily-used area just chance the Tablazon trailhead will be taken enthusiasts, this is a huge opportunity to out of the plan. This is a national initiative, but it is local east of Albuquerque and south of I-40. involvement that will make the difference. reign in ORV abuse while leaving open a Conflicts are already occurring between sensible transportation network. The point is, your voice does matter. These The five national forests within New homeowners, hikers, mountain bikers, stories are good examples of how you Mexico are at different stages in the TMR Why is this important to you? Because now horsemen and those using ATVs, motor- can protect access to your favorite trails process. Go to the National Forest websites; is your chance to have a say on which routes cycles, and full-sized 4-wheel drive without conflict from motorized users. This pick those forests that are of interest to and trails will have motorized access and vehicles. The Forest Service proposal is to also protects the area from further resource you. Send them a simple e-mail or letter which trails will be reserved for hiking, allow motorcycles access to all trails and to damage. The Forest Service is moving in saying you want to be kept informed mountain biking, horseback riding, and detail usage of the other trails. They are also the right direction with the TMR and with about the Travel Management Plan. You other forms of quiet recreation. As part of proposing to expand and develop a major strong public involvement they will make will be put on a list to alert you as to their their analysis of routes and trails, the Forest trailhead in the Tablazon Subdivision to better decisions. The concerns of the La progress, updates of maps, and meetings. Service is asking for your input. It is vitally allow motorized users to park and unload Madera homeowners, wildlife advocates, Then attend the meetings and send in important for you to submit comments and their trailers. The local residents had many and quiet recreationists got the creek beds your comments. You can also get involved attend meetings. The following are two issues with this plan, with safety and fire in La Madera taken out of the plan before by organizing around a favorite location examples of where public input has already danger being the most important. The the final phase. The large attendance at or region. You can help at the NMWA office made a difference. good news is that the residents mobilized. the meetings over Cedro Peak put the by making calls, analyzing Forest Service At previous Travel Management Plan motorized folks on the defensive and has maps, or getting the word out to local The Sandia Ranger District (Cibola meetings, the motorized folks outnum- helped get the attention of the press. You media. National Forest) has been the first to move bered quiet recreationists 5 to 1. Then the can make a difference. The more voices we forward with the TMR process. Much of the Sandia Ranger District held two meetings have the better. For more info call Craig Chapman or Sandia Mountains are Wilderness, thank in early July. The first was in Albuquerque Michael Scialdone at 505-843-8696 goodness, but two areas of significance are where motorized users were outnumbered Equally important are written comments. or e-mail at [email protected] or going to be affected – La Madera and Cedro 4 to 1. They were in shock. They went home State your position clearly without [email protected].

Page 14 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 National Forest Mailing and Contact Information A Jemez Mountains Cibola National Forest Attn: Cibola Travel Management Land Owner’s Perspective – Nancy Brunswick 2113 Osuna Rd NE Light-weight human-powered bicycles can mark is ever-present and increasing. They Albuquerque, NM 87113-1001 in no way match the destructive power of are a minority user group in our National a heavy, powerful dirt bike with knobby Forests, but the amount of damage that Email comments to: tires. No matter how hard I pedal I can not they do is way out of proportion to other [email protected] spin my back tire and dig a two inch deep user groups. There can be 50 people Call: Nancy Brunswick, 505-346- rut in a trail. hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, 3900 or doing any number of outdoor activities Website info: http:// Motocyclists also talk about the mainte- in a small portion of forest and no one www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/travel- nance they do on the trails. Fifteen years knows they are there. Throw in one dirt management/index.shtml ago, while riding my mountain bike, I bike and everyone hears it for miles. came across three motorcycle riders Santa Fe National Forest clearing rocks off a trail and cleaning There is also the issue of drinking and Travel Management Team out water bars. There is another trail driving on ATVs. I have no way to prove 1474 Rodeo Road where they installed cinder blocks on the it other than the large amount of empty Santa Fe NM 87505 switchbacks to keep from tearing them beer cans I find scattered around the trails up. This is the only evidence I have seen and old logging roads, but it seems there Email comments to: of motorcycle riders doing preventative is a lot of alcohol being consumed by the [email protected] maintenance for an inherently destructive four-wheelers. During hunting season, Call: Robb Potts, Forest Planner, The U.S. Forest Service has issued an sport. Mostly their idea of maintenance ATV traffic increases dramatically and so 505-438-7829 order mandating all districts nationwide is cutting out trees that fall across the do the beer cans. So not only do you have Website info: http:// to formulate plans designating which trails. Controlling the water that washes environmental damage, but the woods www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/travelmgt/ areas within the National Forest System out trails and soils, or rerouting trails so are full of drunken people driving around index.html can be used by ATVs and other motorized they are not too steep just doesn’t seem with loaded guns. important to them. Instead of fixing a vehicles. However, there are already areas From environmental degradation, to Carson National Forest washed-out portion of a trail, they create a in the Santa Fe National Forest that have compromising the safety and quality Travel Management Team trail right next to it. After a few years you been designated as “non-motorized”. of experience for other forest users, to 208 Cruz Alta Road have several washed out ruts side by side. I Motorcycle riders and four-wheelers have disruptions of wildlife, off-road vehicles Taos NM 87571 ignored these designations and the Forest assist the Forest Service with trail mainte- nance as a volunteer. I figure that since I are a huge problem which we must Service has not enforced the rules, making address. The Forest Service and other law Email comments to: carson_ use the trails I should help maintain them. the situation worse. enforcement entities, even though they [email protected] The Forest Service has invited a local are under-manned and under-funded, Call: Travel Management Team – In the Jemez Ranger District, a local motorcycle club to help work on trails. So need to increase efforts to address these Steve Okamoto, Jack Carpenter, motorcycle club and other off-road ATV far they have shown no interest in helping impacts. By ignoring it they have made or Paula Cote at 505-758-6200. users have created a huge system of illegal fix the damage they cause. the problem worse. The people that are Website info: http: trails through the forest with no regard Dirt bikes and ATVs are a plague on the destroying everyone’s forest think it is an //www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/ to forest regulations or private property. land. They can be heard for miles and accepted practice to put in trails wherever recreation/travel_mgmt/ Every weekend, when there is no snow the damage they cause is widespread. they choose with no regard for the conse- index.shtml on the ground, hordes of motorcycles and off-road vehicles invade this once peaceful From doing donuts in the middle of the quences. road to driving through creeks with small Lincoln National Forest and serene area and fill the woods with the populations of endangered Rio Grande Kevin Stillman is a property owner in the Connie Zipperer, Travel sound of screaming motors. Their trails go cutthroats, to rutting out meadows, their Jemez Mountains. Management Rule through grassy meadows and wooded hills 1101 New York Ave and up steep grades. The high-traction Alamogordo NM 88310 tires on their machines dig into the forest’s soft soils and loosen them. Summer Email comments to: monsoons wash this loose soil away and [email protected] soon the trails are deeply rutted scars Call: Connie Zipperer, 505-434- across once beautiful areas. 7200 Ask the motorcycle riders about the Website info: http: damage to the trails and they blame //www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln/ the mountain bike riders, if they even projects/TMR/index.shtml acknowledge the fact that there is any damage. Ask them about the trails and Gila National Forest they freely claim that they have put them 3005 E. Camino del Bosque in, even though it is illegal. They show Silver City NM 88061 no respect for other people or the woods themselves. As a resident, since 1986, of Email comments to: r3_gila_ a small community in the Jemez District [email protected] of the Santa Fe National Forest, and an Call: 505-388-8201 avid hiker and occasional mountain Website info: http:// bike rider who sees the abuse on a daily www2.srs.fs.fed.us/r3/gila/travel basis, I can honestly say that I see at least 50 motorcycles to every mountain bike. Page 14 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 The New Mexico SPORTSMAN’S PERSPECTIVE Off-Highway Motor How ORV’s Destroy Prime Game & Fish Habitat Vehicle Safety Act annually. sustainability of the ecosystem. Off-highway vehicles (OHV) are Only a small percentage of these machines True conservation groups have always risen the cause of many deaths for are going to privately-owned land. Most are above their own interests. When game children in New Mexico and many on public land and many of them are headed populations were suffering in the 1930’s, it headaches for non-users who are right here to New Mexico. The good news was hunters who pushed for game laws and forced to share public lands with is, the ongoing travel management process eventually passed the Pittman Robertson them. In April of 2005, Governor in New Mexico’s five national forests will act. Fishermen cultivated catch and release Bill Richardson signed in to law designate a system of trails and eliminate and groups like Trout Unlimited have the New Mexico Off Highway cross-country travel. Unfortunately, the worked to restore habitat and protect native Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A voices of hunter and anglers have been species. Waterfowl hunters formed Ducks coalition made up of physicians mostly absent in the debate. Unlimited and have saved millions of acres tired of seeing horrible injuries of wetlands. to children, property owners tired In their stead, off-road groups like the of the noise and disrespect, and Blue Ribbon Coalition are fighting to open If off-road groups like Blue Ribbon Coalition more trails, talking about access and citing are so concerned about the rights of hunters quiet recreationists wanting peace By Greg McReynolds, concerns about hunting and angling. Unfor- and anglers, where are their efforts at and quiet on public lands for the Trout Unlimited benefit of people and wildlife came tunately, what they want is unlimited access protection of habitat? Mostly, they protect together to get the bill through the Standing on a hill near La Puebla, the only that further fragments habitat with a criss- the right of a few unruly users to pillage and legislature. State Senator Dede vegetation you can see is in small triangles crossed network of user-created trails. destroy our public lands. surrounded by a spider web of ATV trails. Feldman was the Bill’s sponsor. At a travel management meeting for the If you don’t want your favorite places to hunt A few hundred yards north, you can see Cibola National Forest a few months ago, and fish to become an ATV playground, then The Act requires OHV riders to the BLM barrier and a non-motorized sign a representative for a local off-road group it is time to get involved. It is time to stop register their vehicles for a fee that has been torn from the ground, while said he didn’t think there was a need for a letting the motorized recreation community that is put in to a fund to be used a pile of trash accumulates around them. wildlife corridor to allow mule deer to move lead us by the nose and to start putting for education, enforcement, and A little further along, the Santa Cruz River from a wilderness area to lower elevations. conservation first. Unchecked illegal and runs brown with the silt kicked up by illegal trail restoration and maintenance. “I don’t see why Bambi needs a corridor reckless off-road riding result in fragmented off-road use. Riders under the age of 18 are when they already have the wilderness area habitat and a damaged landscape. That required to wear helmets and eye Motorized recreation is the fastest growing up there,” he said. means less hunting opportunities in New protection. They must also be on use of the National Forest System, and that Mexico. The idea that a small, high-elevation vehicles that are appropriate to spells bad news for sportsmen who use wilderness area might not sustain a mule This is not a debate about access. It is instead their age and height. public lands. All-terrain vehicles are more deer herd through the winter had never a debate about rational and reasonable use. prevalent in the National Forests and BLM The Act created the OHV Advisory crossed his mind. If motorized recreation continues to run lands than ever before and they are taking Board, which further develops the unchecked in our National Forests, hunters noise, exhaust and rutted trails into the last Act’s standards and determines For hunters, the biggest concern should be and anglers will suffer the consequences. few quiet and undisturbed places in New how the monies from registration the growing recreational riding community Mexico. fees will be spent. Pediatricians, that cares little about the hunting Greg McReynolds is the Public Lands community. Hunters are not motorized Coordinator for Trout Unlimited and lives agency people, OHV shop owners There are currently almost 40 million all- recreationists. Some hunters use motorized in Albuquerque. He can be reached at and enthusiasts, conservation terrain vehicles in the U.S. and the industry vehicles while hunting, but at the end of the [email protected] or (505) 803-4694. groups, and property owners are is selling more than 1 million new machines day most of them care about the long-term all on the Board. The Board’s first task was to develop safety standards for riders under age 18. Its next task will be to educate OHV users about the Act and what it means to them. The Board is also developing a method for dispersing funds for enforcement and trail maintenance.

Michael Scialdone of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance was recently added to the Board, filling a conservation position that had been vacated. He brings to the Board his more than 10 years of experience documenting impacts to public lands, including OHV impacts. If you have questions regarding the Board, please call him at 505-843-8696 or email at [email protected].

Page 16 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 Adventures in Volunteer Service

our wilderness proposals before Congress. The inventory wrapped up in 2003, but the opportunity for volunteers to join us in the field did not. We started hosting Service Projects, where volunteers help restore streams and riparian areas or close illegal roads to off-road vehicles (ORV).

The Service Projects have put us on the ‘front lines’, so to speak, in dealing with the ORV problem. Since it is clear that the industry that sells these machines isn’t going to deal with the problem they have created, it is incumbent upon volunteers to do so. That doesn’t make it easy. To demonstrate this, we’d like to have snap- shots of the sneers and glares that we have gotten from ORV users while out closing off their illegal routes. stern lecture on the importance of staying 2 tries, the car had moved 3 feet. The jack by Michael Scialdone on legal routes. no longer worked. This extremely heavy During one of our projects at Midnight vehicle, now being lovingly referred to In May of 1999, the New Mexico Wilderness Meadows (in the high country above Red As with any trip to the back-country, as the RoadCrusher, had bent it beyond Alliance held its first volunteer outing. The River), we were blocking off a closed road unintended vehicle adventures have been use. Another jack was found, more debris purpose of the outing was to document and fencing off a meadow to prevent ATVs part of our outings. Two young women placed in the ruts, and with high hopes, roads and human impacts on BLM lands. from using it as a play-ground. While we learned the importance of maintaining the RoadCrusher was gunned once more. This information is used to determine were working, a couple of ATVers came safe speeds on rural county roads when Hoots and hollers were let out as the car potential Wilderness boundaries and let us driving up and didn’t hide their displeasure an unexpected cow forced them to swerve bounced in and out of the ruts. This time know what issues we might face in going in our work. There was a certain sense off the road. With all the cactus, they were it had the momentum needed to get down for designation. It wasn’t exactly the rip- of satisfaction among us as they child- lucky to only have two flat tires. It was a the hill. roaring start we were hoping for. The staff ishly gunned their engines before they long walk back to camp. outnumbered the participants. drove off. Later in the evening, as we sat Fortunately, these types of adventures are around the campfire, the noise of ATVs Last summer we headed out to the Datil few and far between. The real adventure From these humble beginnings we went wouldn’t go away. A volunteer looked over Mountains for a fence removal project. A of outings is in getting out to beautiful on to complete a Wilderness Inventory on the hill to find the same ATVers playing nearly 4 million acres of BLM lands in New in the meadow (the fence hadn’t been Mexico. Well over 10,000 volunteer hours completed). Upon seeing him, they left. went in to the process, mostly through A Forest Ranger that was camping with us participation on weekend outings. We quickly jumped in his truck and followed regularly use the information gathered to their dust trail. He found their camp and support our comments to agencies and besides writing them a ticket, gave them a

participant had traded her Subaru with places and doing worthwhile work to heal a friend for a Buick Roadmaster. The the land. The reward is being part of a campsite was 11 miles in, on a fairly rough community of people that care about wild road. Not wanting to wait for a shuttle, she places and are willing to work to make decided to head in with the caravan. All them better. As a way to do important went well as we drove in to the darkness on-the-ground work while providing an for several miles until we hit that one spot avenue for our members and supporters (there’s always that one darn spot). The to get involved, running these outings has heavy rains had rutted a hill climb and the been central to the New Mexico Wilderness ruts had been deepened by large trucks. Alliance’s Wilderness protection mission. Halfway up the hill, the Roadmaster was We hope to see you on one soon. firmly embedded in the ruts. A crew of 6 worked diligently to jack up the car and To learn more about our Service Projects throw debris under it, then watched as or to sign up for monthly updates, please attempts were made to back down. After send an email to Michael Scialdone, [email protected]. Page 16 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 A Decade of Volunteering

By Tisha Broska Hildegard has been an activist since chosen to meet with the Vietnam War in her high-school President Bill Clinton Hildegard Adams has been a volunteer with days and was a member of Students for during one of his trips to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance from the a Democratic Society. She has been Albuquerque. Another beginning. She became a member at one involved as a Human Rights activist for class was concerned about of the first public events held for NMWA over 20 years. After college she worked for the ethical treatment of at the Harwood Art Center (featuring 26 years as a teacher in the Albuquerque animals and wrote a group Michael Berman’s photography). Dave Public School system and obtained a letter to the zoo questioning Foreman and Jim Baca both spoke at the Gifted Teacher Certification. She had a some of their practices. event and successfully solicited Hildegard’s great time working with gifted students This group of 12 year olds, support for the organization. and challenging them to learn from real now calling themselves the When I started working as the Membership life situations. It was in this classroom Taylor Wildlife Committee, Coordinator for NMWA in 1999, Hildegard setting where Hildegard also learned a few earned 3 different visits was the person I called to help with our things, as she challenged her students to to the zoo to learn about first membership mailing. She was a choose issues they cared about. their practices. Hildegard remembers these days of constant at our Thursday volunteer nights, With her experience as a Human Rights where we spent countless hours addressing teaching as “a life changing Activist, Hildegard empowered her experience” and has been and stuffing envelopes to solicit new students as citizen activists for real life members into our Wilderness family. an animal rights activist issues. First, they tackled Saving the ever since. When I asked Hildegard why she got Whales and raised $1000 for the “Free involved with NMWA, she said “from the Willy” campaign through bake sales and Hildegard has been a very beginning I was extremely impressed general lunch time fundraising. One dedicated volunteer and of the Albuquerque Center for Peace and with NMWA and I am very proud of the class created the first recycling program friend to all of us at NMWA, Justice and works part-time for the Animal organization and what we have accom- for Taylor Middle School, after soliciting and we thank her for her commitment Protection of New Mexico. She lives with plished over 10 years. To go from ground the Los Ranchos Town Council for help. to wilderness, wildlife, human life, and her wonderful husband Rod, 2 cats, 2 dogs zero to over 5000 members in 10 years is Hildegard also sponsored an after school relentless rabble-rousing. and 1 feral cat (available for adoption). completely awesome!” program called Earth Club, which was Hildegard currently serves on the Board (The feral cat, not Rod). A Real Friend of Wild Nature Lady Bird’s Lasting Legacy

So it was during these turbulent wildflowers, such as the loggerhead shrike, times that Lady Bird sought to heal meadowlarks, and scissortail flycatcher, a nation through nature. What makes are in steep decline due to development, this so remarkable was the depth pesticides and corporate farming. of her effort. She is famous for her work on the “Highway Beautification But it was her efforts on important legis- Act,” a bill designed to end the visual lation such as the Wilderness Act, the Wild pollution of billboards that mar and Scenic River bill, the Land and Water our highway system. Although the Conservation Fund, and her strong and bill passed, today only four states uncompromising efforts to protect and ban billboards and the industry create Redwood National park that really continues its heavy handed approach made a difference. She worked diligently to to protecting their turf. In fact, prevent the damming of the Grand Canyon. funding for rebuilding billboards She was there to dedicate the opening of destroyed in Hurricane Katrina was Point Reyes National Seashore, near San passed by Congress as part of Iraq Francisco, in 1962 and she was there in War spending bills. 1968 when Redwood park was dedicated. Today a hiking trail and a grove of trees in More than 200 bills passed during the park honor her enduring legacy. the Johnson Administration related to the environment, and all had With Lady Bird, conservationists had a friend in Washington and in the White by Stephen Capra shocked by the assassination of John the First Lady’s stamp on them. House: someone who worked hand in hand Kennedy; war was slowly percolating in Lady Bird is perhaps best remembered with Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, and Earlier this month we learned of the Vietnam; and Lyndon Johnson was laying for her efforts to plant wildflowers along had the ear and the heart of the President. passing of Lady Bird Johnson. What many the groundwork for a “Great Society”. In highways in America. Lady Bird loved the The net result was something very positive may not remember is the former First this famous speech, Johnson called for a Hill Country of Texas, and today many of for the land and for America. Lady’s passion for wild nature. It’s worth nation where “a man can renew contact the highways are still lined with beautiful remembering the America of early 1964: with nature.” wildflowers. Sadly, many of the bird species the nation was grieving and frankly still that share that country and depend on the

Page 18 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 Tom Wootten Remembering a Conservation Hero

asking Tom for advice as I struggled to start an agave or ocotillo from seed. In his usual jovial manner, Tom tried to reassure me that success was just around the corner. Even in these cynical times, Tom always tried to put a positive, though realistic spin on things. His smile was infectious and his enthusiasm could not be stopped.

Tom always smiled and had a warm spot for young people who cared about the environment. He pushed hard to make sure women had a strong voice in the conser- vation movement and for more than 45 year’s his wife Eleanor, was his true love, his confidante and outdoor companion.

About five years ago, Tom and Eleanor moved to Tucson where they lived on the edge of Saguaro National park. It was a spectacular location, but it was not New Mexico. I visited Tom several times and though he loved the view, it was clear he was homesick. Two years ago, Tom called and by Stephen Capra be discussed here and it was a challenge head into the desert, searching for it and said that he and Eleanor had to engage him in conversation and try if finding it, then fighting to make sure it It seems to happen with frustrating bought some land in the Gila and they to keep up with him. Even jumping didn’t disappear. were coming home. regularity. The people who really care from topic to topic, Tom’s knowledge of and really understand what wilderness seemingly everything was unbelievable. Tom and his wife Eleanor formed T & E, Tom came home for the past two years and wildlife mean to our lives often When you were with Tom, there was Inc. to help graduate students, doctoral to enjoy hiking and visiting with friends. leave us far too soon. Such is the case rarely a moment without conversation. candidates and others who were studying He enjoyed spending time with local of our dear friend, former NMWA Board Even in reflective moments, you knew rare plants and animals or ecological or conservation groups and frequently lent Member, Tom Wootten. In early August, Tom’s mind was going a million miles taxonomic problems in the Chihuahuan his support. He also spent time on the Tom died suddenly while hiking in an hour and winding up for the next Desert. Many people now have a career banks of the Gila River, bird watching, his beloved Gila Country. His death is discussion. in science because of the dedication, hiking and sending an occasional e-mail something that has come as a real blow concern and generosity of Tom and to say “give’em hell” or “make sure Otero not only to us, but to so many who care Tom did more than just talk about wild Eleanor Wootten. We understand these Mesa is protected!” about wild nature in New Mexico. nature. He gave and gave to many New ecosystems better because of these two Mexico and Sky Island based conser- fine people. At sometime in the future, Tom was many things, but above all, he To know Tom was to know a man free vation groups. He visited with the Bureau someone will be able to look back at the was a gentleman, with a warm soul and of ego or pretension, though Tom was of Land Management and pushed for the history of some rare plant or animal that a big heart. He was a guide and a mentor a very successful Investment Banker creation of administratively designated is still with us and realize that the species to many of us and set a standard of for many years. Calling him was a Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. is still here because of what Tom and excellence we should all strive for. pleasure and you prepared yourself to Often in a time when people thought only Eleanor did, a generation ago. Wild nature and all of us in the conser- be complemented for your efforts. Tom of protecting mountaintops, Tom pressed vation community have lost a dear friend. was of Scottish ancestry, something he to protect grasslands or areas that held Tom was so passionate about native Tom, you are forever in our hearts. was both proud of, and well let’s just say, rare cactus or other native plants. The plants that he opened, for a time, a native he enjoyed the sound of bagpipes. Tom rumor of a rare plant often caused him to plant store in Las Cruces, growing many was well read on more subjects that can plants from seed. I spent many an hour

Page 18 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 return of the LOBO

about 55 wild Lobos surviving in the long run. So far, the Lobo were documented— population is tanking and the tolerance, if slightly over halfway their ever was any, has eroded into fervent to the goal of at least anti-wolf sentiment aimed at killing the 100 Lobos established Lobo reintroduction project. in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. Thanks to the unwavering support of NMWA members and others, there Then came the AMOC is positive news to report. Recently, (Adaptive Management Congressman Pearce introduced an Oversight Committee; amendment on the floor of the House by Dave Parsons called everything imaginable, including pronounced by some as “amuck”), a of Representatives to strike all funding the devil—I wore my hair long to conceal multi-agency management decision- Ten years ago, when NMWA was founded, for Lobo recovery from the Interior my horns), the Lobo would be getting a making body established by a formal Appropriations Bill. Your calls, letters, Mexican wolves (Lobos) were poised second chance in some of the best wolf memorandum of understanding. Bowing to make their second appearance in and e-mails resulted in the defeat of this habitat remaining in the Southwest—the to political pressure from Congressman amendment, but not before Congressman the wildlands of the Southwest. Private Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. What we Pearce and his anti-wolf constituents, the and, especially, government-sponsored Pearce called for a repeated vote that call the Blue Range area includes all of AMOC established Standard Operating was officially recorded. This procedural programs to eradicate wolves (and other the Gila National Forest in New Mexico Procedure 13. SOP 13 is an inflexible predators) were successful in extirpating move by Pearce allowed us to discover and the adjoining Apache National punitive management protocol that that Congresswoman Heather Wilson Lobos from New Mexico, Arizona, and Forest in Arizona, an area of 7,000 square requires the killing or permanent removal Texas by the mid-twentieth century, voted with Pearce to kill funding for miles and about a million acres of desig- of any wolf that is determined to have Lobo recovery. Continued pressure on and from Mexico a couple decades later. nated wilderness. It seemed especially killed three head of livestock within a year, In the late 1970s a last ditch effort to government officials by Lobo conservation appropriate to be returning the Lobo to regardless of circumstances. Although advocates recently convinced Governor prevent extinction of the Lobo by live- Leopold’s early twentieth century haunts continued illegal killing has claimed the trapping wild wolves in Mexico brought Richardson to issue a statement that he and the world’s first wilderness area, lives of 27 Lobos to date, now most of the would advocate for suspension of SOP 13 five wolves (1 pregnant female and 4 the Gila Wilderness, which he helped to killing and permanent removal (which has males) into captivity for an emergency until adequate recovery progress could be establish in 1924. the same effect to the wild population as demonstrated. Congresswoman Wilson breeding program. Those were the last killing) of wild Lobos is being done by Lobos known to exist in the wild prior to On March 29th, 1998, in the midst of a and Congressman Pearce deserve to be the government, just like the old days. reminded of their constituents’ support for a reintroduction effort that began in 1998. raging blizzard and under the potential This procedure is nondiscriminatory and These Lobos were eventually merged threat of restraining order from the Lobo recovery and Governor Richardson has no bounds. Lobo mothers have been deserves a big “THANK YOU” for his most with two existing captive-bred lines of Federal District Court in Las Cruces yanked away from their wild-born pups pure Mexican wolves to produce a captive (courtesy of the livestock industry), the recent show of support for Lobos in New and genetically important Lobos have Mexico. population now numbering about 300. first 11 Lobos, comprising 3 packs, were been killed. It is not surprising that an All known Lobos alive today stem from released. Dan Groebner (AZ Game and analysis conducted by Jean Ossorio and I, Through our persistence we will not just seven founders—a true brush with Fish Department) and I opened the pen and presented at the 2007 North American witness the second extinction of the Lobo. extinction! housing the Hawks Nest Pack and spent a Wolf Conference, revealed that the wild Thank you, all of you, for your continued cold night in a tent about a mile away. The In 1997, Bruce Babbitt, then Secretary of population of Lobos has been stagnant or support for wild Lobos in the Southwest! next morning there were fresh Lobo tracks declining since the end of 2003. We also the Interior under the Clinton Adminis- in the snow for the first time in 50 years! tration, made the final decision to return discovered that the population is being the Lobos to their former haunts in the But the joy of the occasion would fade later propped up by the continued releases Southwest. During that decision briefing, that year under a cloud of wolf hatred, of new Lobos far beyond the release Secretary Babbitt recounted the famous expressed in the shooting deaths of five numbers predicted to be necessary—99 story of Aldo Leopold blasting into a family of these Lobo pioneers. Before the end of releases through 2006 versus a predicted of wolves, killing one, and later reaching an the year, all remaining wolves were back in 66 releases through 2002. epiphany regarding the ecological impor- captivity, either for their own protection Clearly the agencies’ approach of “killing tance of wolves from having watched the or to introduce widowed alpha wolves to their way to Lobo recovery” is on a path “green fire” die from her eyes. Bruce told new mates. To demonstrate his resolve that could lead to the second extinction me that he knew where that fateful event to restore the Lobo, Secretary Babbitt of Lobos in the wild if not reversed. The took place in eastern Arizona—he is from returned for the second release of Lobos to official theory behind killing or removal of Arizona. I did not doubt his knowledge. the Blue Range area. wolves that kill cows is that such a policy Mostly, I was elated that, after seven long Sporadic illegal killings continued but will generate a level of tolerance for wolves years of Environmental Impact Statements among livestock producers and their and public hearings (not to mention being progress toward population objectives tracked predictions through 2003 when supporters that will result in more wolves

Page 20 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 21 Here’s how the process works: That’s it!

1. I called the environmental liaison of my It’s also important to connect to your Multiply Your Power Representative, told them what I would like listener on a personal level. This puts a to talk about, and set up a meeting date. “human face” on the issue. At one meeting, we spoke of how I decided to move to New 2. I researched my topic thoroughly, antici- by Bud Berkman Mexico because of quality of life issues, pated any questions that might be asked of and the liaison agreed how quality of life What a great time I had! me, and clarified in my mind what my goal is a top desire for most New Mexicans, was (in this case, to have them support a including herself and her family. No, I wasn’t out in Otero Mesa, hiking moratorium on drilling in Otero Mesa). through that beautiful and wild Stay positive throughout and you’ll leave Chihuahuan grassland. I did something 3. I stated the facts and asked them if that them with a positive image of yourself, almost as fun and a lot more important, was their understanding too. which subconsciously translates into a I met with my Representatives to explain 4. An enjoyable conversation then ensued positive image of your message! why Otero Mesa needs to be preserved for as I used the facts to lead them on a logical generations to come. Remember - They want to talk to us! They path towards supporting my goal. want to know what their constituents are If you haven’t tried it before, a visit to 5. I asked what they would do to follow-up thinking. your Senator or Representative may seem with my Representative. intimidating at first. There’s nothing that Know that one personal visit is looked at as can be further from the truth! Democrat 6. I left knowing that this meeting was being equal to the concerns of hundreds of or Republican, I was welcomed in with a really effective and wrote a thank-you note constituents. smile and a warm handshake. Meetings the next day. Multiply Your Power! were casual and lasted about 20 minutes.

Meet with your Elected Officials for Otero Mesa

by Edmund McWilliams contact with Senator Domenici’s office in following the issue you are interested in let the Senator or Representative know Las Cruces. I have had good experiences (Otero Mesa). It is then relatively easy to your position and urge his/her support. If Public opinion regarding the performance in all offices, even those of Congressman develop a relationship with that staffer by there is time, it is also useful to specifically of the US Congress, according to national Pearce and Senator Domenici. Congres- providing him/her with timely updates mention the name of the staff member polls, is mostly negative. However, I sional staff invariably treat constituents of developments and, as the relationship with whom you are in contact. Positive suspect that most of those who are critical with courtesy and make careful note develops, seeking insights regarding the feedback is always welcome and often of Congress have never attempted to do of their concerns to communicate to thinking of the Senator or Representative strengthens your relationship with the anything about that poor performance. senior office staff and the representatives and senior office staff. These insights can staffer who will be pleased to know that Over the past few years I have attempted themselves. Most staff appear to genuinely be helpful to the New Mexico Wilderness a constituent has offered compliments to develop a dialogue with members of the appreciate timely, accurate informational Alliance as it develops its strategy regarding directly to his/her boss. Congressional staff on a variety of issues, material which aids their research of the an individual Senator or Congressperson. including preservation and protection issues. Finally, while it is natural to focus on those of Otero Mesa. In addition to contacting It is also very important to take advantage offices, particularly that of Representative Washington offices of the New Mexico In most cases, Congressional offices assign of any opportunity to communicate Pearce, who have been the least helpful on delegation, I recently drove to Roswell a specific staff member to monitor key directly with the Senator or Representative. Otero issues, there is also value in offering where I visited offices of Congressman issues and make recommendations. In Such meetings are usually brief,over a positive feedback to members, such as Pearce and Senators Domenici and contacting an office for the first time it is handshake, so it is necessary to make your Senator Bingaman, to re-enforce their Bingaman. I also have established phone useful to determine who is charged with points quickly. Essentially, it is helpful to positive attitude.

You Can Make a Difference

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is be confined to a certain date. Now is the organizing our members, all across the time to act! This is an extremely important state to meet with our congressional opportunity to make a difference in saving delegation’s staff right here in New Mexico. Otero Mesa and protecting Wilderness Members of the delegation have offices in in Northern and Southern New Mexico. the following cities: Albuquerque, Clovis, Generally, these meetings only take 10 to Farmington, Gallup, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, 15 minutes but go a long way in terms of Rio Rancho, Roswell, Santa Fe and Socorro. having an impact. If you are interested Do you have time to meet with our delega- in doing more for New Mexico’s wild and tion’s staff? We will work with you to set up you want to set up a meeting with the staff the meeting, provide talking points, and of your representative or senator, please give you training so that you are prepared contact Nathan Newcomer at 843-8696 or and comfortable. In some cases you may [email protected]. He will guide you go into the meeting by yourself, but we through the process step-by-step and help can also organize group meetings. Every you set up your meeting. Call Nathan today, month is available, so there is no need to you’ll be glad you did!

Page 20 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 21 Pr oducts, Services and Ideas for a Healthy & Sustainable Lifestyle Throughout the course of human history, people have had a strong connection to the land. It has only been recently that our families and towns have struggled to keep that connection intact. Today, more and more people are joining together to illustrate that a food system can be environmentally live simply friendly, financially sustainable, and ethically just for everyone involved. Natural, organic and recycled fibers are used to create classic children’s Los Poblanos Organics is a 12-acre farm located on the historic Los Poblanos clothing with a modern twist. We work hard to produce in a fair-trade Ranch in the beautiful Rio Grande River Valley in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. environment and to limit our waste. Our organic cotton collection is They cultivate over 75 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers without skal-certified; our sweaters are knit in a womens cooperative in South the use of any synthetic fertilizers or chemicals. How can you start enjoying America; our marketing material is all produced on recycled paper. We produce from Los Poblanos Organics? The easiest way is right through their make an effort to protect this planet for the next generation. CSA Program. You can also catch them at several Farmers' Markets. We use only high quality fabric, reminiscent of an earlier time. Our Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a special relationship that a clothing truly gets softer and softer with time. Wear it, wash it, pass it farmer engages in with his or her local consumers. Members of the community down from child to child. Our clothing is simply made to last a lifetime, sign up in advance for a “share” of all the fruits, vegetables, and flowers that a through wild outdoor adventures, through a magical world of make- farmer will produce in a given season. Members of the CSA then either come believe, through pure, natural fun. to the farm once a week to pick up their “share” of the bounty, select to pick the kiwi industries box up at an area close to the member’s home, or can now select to have the design studio and retail outlet produce delivered to their home or office. 5850 eubank, ne, suite b22 SUPPORT GROUP albuquerque, nm 87111 ph: 505.332.9090 Okay, so you love fresh Organic produce. It is really nothing to be ashamed of. shop on line at: www.kiwiindustries.com And luckily for you, you have come to the right spot. All of LPO's members have made the step past denial and are now on to enjoying their lives again. Guilt free. At Los Poblanos Organics, you are among friends who understand the plight of trying to find good produce in an unforgiving world. Because of that, we look at LPO as much more than just a farm. We look at it much like a Support Group.

Los Poblanos Organics 4803 Rio Grande Boulevard, NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107 [email protected] www.lospoblanosorganics.com

The Wilderness Sweater sets easier seasons spr out for urban gar deners G a r d en i n g G r o u p S u p p o rts t o fin d bo th ba s i c s u p p li e s a s w ellas cr ea ti vi ty in o ur e n vir o nm e n t. W h e th e r Ga r d e n e r s ’G u il d b y e ma il o r vi s i t. H o ur s o f A da p ti v e Be h a vi o r s d ec o ra ti v e o b j ects, b rin gin g m o r e peo p l e f o r fun, ed u ca ti o n o r be s t o f all bo th, thi s o pe ra ti o n a r e Wed n e sda y thr o u gh S un da y , a n d m o r e fun t o g a r d e nin g. T hi s m od e s t o r g a niza ti o n p r o m o t e s im p r o v ed li vin g 11a m-7p m. U rba n g a r d e n e r s in Alb uq u e r q u e n o w h a v e e s ta b li s hm e n t f ocu se s o n a c c e s s i b ili ty , in Alb uq u e r q u e a n d a cti vi ti e s th a t ra i se You dig? a gr ea t o p po rtuni ty t o c o n c e i v e, d e s ign a n d h a n d s-o n a s s i s ta n c e wi th q u e s ti o n s th e q uali ty o f li f e o n a da il y ba s i s. Exp l o r e a n d ma in ta in th e ir p l o ts o r p r o j ects wi th fr o m g a r d e n e r s a t all l ev e l s o f e xpe ri e n c e . o u t e r s pa c e s wi th a gr o u p o f lik e-min d ed Ga r d e n e r s ’G u il d R e so ur c e C e n t e r: S u p po rt s ma rt e r so l u ti o n s a t th e Ga r d e n e r s ’G u il d A s im p l e b u t sed u cti v e c o n c e p t, GG i s a urba ni s ts, in t e r e s t ed in m od e rn a n d f o r ev e ry ci ty g a r d e n e r! ...I n N o b H ill in N o b H ill. A g a r d e n s u p p l y s h o p a n d m ee tin g po in t f o r m e m be r s a n d p r o vi d e s s u s ta in a b l e so l u ti o n m e th od s. Bec o m e O pe n Wed n e sda y - Sa tur da y 11-7p m, r e so ur c e c e n t e r , Ga r d e n e r s ’G u il d i s o n g o in g o p po rtuni ti e s t o bec o m e a m e m be r a n d e njo y th e be n efits o f a n S un 11 t o 5 a m e m be r s hi p s u p po rt ed n o n-p r ofit a c q ua in t ed wi th g a r d e n e r s n ea rb y . e n e r giz ed , ca rin g c o mm uni ty a s w e ll a s 3222c Central SE d e s ign ed f o r ci ty cir cum s ta n c e s. T h e ir a c e n t e r o f s u p po rt t o h e l p y o u l ea rn a n d Ga r d e n e r s ’G u il d s u p po rts a n e x c h a n g e 505.268.2719 mi s s i o n i s t o p r o vi d e w alk-in c o n s ul ta ti o n s sa v e! Wa n t t o l ea rn m o r e a n d l o v e y o ur o f i d ea s, fr eed o m o f e xp r e s s i o n a n d www .gar denersguild.or g a n d a c o n v e ni e n t l oca ti o n f o r n e igh bo r s g a r d e n? J o in, s h o p a n d s w a p . C o n ta ct

Page 22 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 23 dirtworks 'green' celebrities Provides Products, Services and Advice for Eco- Friendly Living for Homes, Gardens & Farms join actor alike. Everything from Organic Fertilizer, Natural ed begley, jr. in new Insect Repellents and Natural Pet Supplies! season of hgtv’s dirtworks.net 877.213.3828 "living with ed"

peek inside the homes and properties of other guide to Hollywood personalities who are either looking for advice from Begley or eager to share the greener innovative ways they are working toward environ- mentally-conscious living. Jay Leno, Bradley Whitford, Larry Hagman, electronics Sharon Lawrence, Jackson Browne Among Jay Leno, Bradley Whitford, Larry Hagman, greenpeace.org/electronics Celebs Tapped for 13-Part Series Premiering Sharon Lawrence and Jackson Browne are R a nks l ea d in g m o b il e a n d PC Sunday, August 26 at 10:00 p.m. ET and Monday, among the celebrities who are expected to share ma nu fa cture r s on th e ir pro gre s s in August 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET their “green” journeys with Begley and HGTV g oin g “gree n e r”. viewers. In each half-hour episode, cameras will For Immediate Release - August 15, 2007 - The follow Ed as he gives and gets guidance and green room takes on a whole new meaning for inspiration on how everyone can incorporate the celebrity pals of Emmy-nominated actor easy, attractive, practical and affordable “green” and committed environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. ideas into their daily lives. in the second season of HGTV’s popular, criti- cally-acclaimed, eco-friendly series Living With “Rachelle and I are thrilled that Living With Ed. The series will kick off with two back-to-back Ed has caught on with so many viewers across airings on Sunday, August 26 at 10 p.m. EST and America,” said Begley. “We are looking forward Monday, August 27 at 10:30 p.m. EST, followed to having a lot of fun this next season while animal eye care by Sunday, September 2 at 10 p.m. ET and spreading the environmental message. The fact Monday, September 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET. Living that the two of us have not killed each other Mee t a t ea m d ed i cat ed t o th e fin e s t ve t e rin a ry e ye With Ed will then air in its regular weekly prime and that we are still happily married amazes us ca re for yo ur pe ts,Eye C a re for Animal s. Boa rd time slot on Mondays at 10:30 p.m. ET beginning daily. Perhaps with this next season, all of this will C e rtified O p hth alm o l o gi s t Gavin Ke nn a rd a n da September 10. change,” he added. we ll-tra in ed s ta ff wor k h a rd t o gi ve th e high e s t l eve l of ca re, edu cati on, a n d un d e r s ta n d in g…t o One of the first programs to debut in the growing In one episode, Ed visits with musician Jackson c li e nts, pe ts a n d re fe rrin g ve t e rin a ria n s alike . We’re “green” TV genre, the vanguard series returns Browne and tours his off-the-grid ranch, c ommi tt ed t o provi d in g s tat e-of-th e-a rt ve t e rin a ry bigger, better and greener than ever with 13 new complete with an impressive solar and windmill e ye ca re in Ne w Me xi c o. Vi s i t th e ir offic e at 8724 episodes that will find Begley and wife Rachelle system, as well as other installations and inven- Alameda park Drive, Northeast Suite Carson dispensing more tips and practical ideas tions that make the compound self-sufficient. C. Wh e th e r i t’s yo ur d o g, cat, liza rd , h or se, a n d on how anyone can lead a greener lifestyle. In Begley, inspired by his visit to Browne’s place, ra b b i t –i f i t h a s a n e ye pro b l e m, turn t o Eye C a re for a special new twist this season, Ed ventures out vows to install a form of wind-power in his own Animal s. C all th e m at 505-292-3600 t o sc h edul e a n beyond his own green acres to give viewers a Studio City home. a ppointm e nt.

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Page 22 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 23 The Volcano Hill Wilderness Inventory Unit is just west of Albuquerque, with hikes & service projects its namesake rising 500-feet from its surrounding basalt lava flow. Volcano Hill and its lava flow cap an escarpment that Time: 5 hours round trip Hiking distance: Approximately 4 miles drops almost 1,000 feet to grassy plains Difficulty: Easy round-trip below. Volcano Hill erupted around 3 Time: 2-3 hours round-trip plus driving million years ago, spewing out basaltic October 11 – 15, 2007—Great Old time lava flows that capped the 240-million- Broads for Wilderness Trip Elevation range: 6,000 to 6,261 feet year-old Chinle formation. Fairly easy “Broadness is A State of Mind”. Difficulty: Easy cross-country travel. Expect to see Join the Great Old Broads as they red-rock country, tall prairie grasses, and visit Doña Ana County to enjoy our September 21, 22, 23, 2007—Otero signs of ancient civilization. common ground—wilderness! Mesa Outing Maximum participants: 12 Whether it’s Broad Canyon or the Join us for autumn in Otero Mesa, where Contact: Nathan Newcomer at 505-843- Organ Mountains, keep an eye out for for the past two years the grasses have 8696, [email protected] for more info. hikes and celebrations with Great Old been 2 to 3 feet high! We will explore Hiking distance: 6 – 7 miles round trip Broads—and their reputation for fun the expansive grasslands, plus Flat Top Time: 3 hours plus driving time. and effective wilderness advocacy. and Deer Mountain. If you’ve never been Elevation range: 5,800 to 6,607 Maximum participants: Unlimited to Otero Mesa, this outing is the time to Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Contact: Nathan Small at 505-527- be there and experience the wildness 9962, [email protected] for of America’s largest Chihuahuan desert more info. grassland. Service Projects Hiking distance: TBA Be prepared for hot and mild weather September 14, 15, 16, 2007—Wind Time: TBA plus the chance of afternoon thunder- River Ranch Service Project Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous storms. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a camera to capture the moments Albuquerque Wildlife Federation is Las Cruces / Carlsbad area hikes October 13, 2007--Yucca Canyon and of pronghorn herds, prairie dog towns, hosting this project. The Wind River Longview Spring overlook, Carlsbad petroglyphs, desert blooms, and beautiful Ranch is located along the Mora River in northeast New Mexico and is managed September 8, 2007—Lost Peak Trail, Caverns National park sunrises and sunsets. as a nature preserve. Spring restoration Guadalupe Mountains National park, Large portions of Carlsbad Caverns During the evenings there will be a social National park were declared wilderness campfire. Bring musical instruments if will be the project. This is a rare oppor- Texas tunity to stay in the beautiful canyon in the 1970’s, a fact that most people you’ve got them. Let’s get together and Guadalupe Mountains National park has carved by the Mora River. 2.5 hours plenty of wilderness and plenty of trails. don’t know. On this hike a small corner have some fun in the desert! northeast of ABQ. This trail provides only a small sample of of that wilderness will be explored. The Maximum participants: 50 the richness in this park. Leaving from hike goes up a somewhat narrow canyon Contact: Nathan Newcomer at 505-843- Contact: Glenda Muirhead at 505-281- 2925, [email protected], for the Dog Canyon Ranger Station we will and then tops out on the Guadalupe 8696, [email protected] to reserve more info. walk to Lost Peak, an elevation rise of escarpment. A bit further the trail looks your spot. about 1000 feet. From there we will down into Longview Spring and Upper Driving distance: 6 hours from ABQ, 2.5 September 21, 22, 23, 2007—Valle Vidal continue on a short distance if the group Slaughter Canyon. hours from Las Cruces Service Project desires to the junction with the McKit- Maximum participants: 15 Contact: Steve West at 885-3636, September 29, 2007—Pecos Wilderness, One last opportunity to join in the resto- trick Canyon trail. This is a great time ration efforts taking place in the Valle [email protected] for more Holy Ghost Creek to be in the park for migrating birds and Vidal. Comanche Creek on the east side information. This hike offers stunning views of wildflowers. will be the focus of this project. This NOTE: The drive time for this hike is 2 Hiking Distance: 8-9 miles snow-capped mountain peaks, rushing could be a great time to see the aspen hours each way from Carlsbad. Time: All day water, deep canyons with groves of colors and hear elk bugling. 4.5 hours Maximum participants: 15 Difficulty: Moderate. quaking aspens, ponderosa pines and north of ABQ. Contact: Steve West at 885-3636, or at sunny meadows dotted with wildflowers. Contact: Jim O’Donnell at 505-751- [email protected] Albuquerque area hikes Our destination will be an overview of 7309, [email protected], for more info. Time: All day Stewart Lake, with mountains rising Difficulty: Moderate September 8, 2007—San Lorenzo from the lake basin on the far side and November 10, 2007—Piedra Lisa North Canyon Day Hike a clear mountain stream pouring from its Trail Service Project San Lorenzo Canyon is on the southern mouth. October 6, 2007—Aden Crater Day Hike Last project for 2007! Join us for a boundary of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Maximum participants: 12 Ever seen a 110 foot volcanic vent? You day of general trail maintenance on Refuge, about 10 miles north of Socorro. Contact: Nathan Newcomer at 505-843- will if you join this hike to the Aden Lava the north side of the Sandia Mountain Flow. Explore this strange landscape It is mostly known for its interesting 8696, [email protected] for more info. Wilderness near Placitas. This beautiful and enjoy areas that just might be New geology, but also contains historical Hiking distance: Approximately 10 miles remote section of trail rises from 6,030’, Mexico’s newest wilderness if all goes sites, cottonwood groves, springs and, round trip peaking at 8,150’ before diving down well. sometimes, flowing water. We will hike Time: 6 to 8 hours round-trip plus driving the south side ending along FR 333 near Maximum participants: 15 up the canyon to the Sevilleta boundary time the La Luz Trailhead. 25 minutes north Contact: Nathan Small at 505-527- and then head up and along some old Elevation range: 8,500 to 10,200 of ABQ. roads to get an overview of the area. Difficulty: Moderate 9962, [email protected] for Contact: Bill Velasquez at 505-881- more info. Maximum participants: 12 0555, [email protected] Hiking distance: 2 miles roundtrip Contact: Nathan Newcomer at 505-843- October 20, 2007—Volcano Hill Day for more info. 8696, [email protected] for more info. Hike

Page 24 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 25 ��������� ��� ������������� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

219 east marcy street santa fe, new mexico 505.982.5009

The Nature Conservancy’s Bear Mountain Lodge Silver City, New Mexico 1-877-620-BEAR bearmountainlodge.com Silver City KOA 1-800 562-7623 [email protected]

Page 24 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 25 Join New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Today! You’ll not only help preserve New Mexico’s Wild Places for your own enjoyment… but you’ll help ensure that future generations may enjoy them too.

YES! I want to be a member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!!! My contribution will go towards the continued protection and wilderness designation of New Mexico’s natural heritage.

q$25 – Individual q$100 – Contributing qOther $______q$30 – Family q$500 – Lifetime q THIS IS A GIFT MEMBERSHIP FROM ______Mail your Tax Deductible q$50 – Supporting q$10 – Student/Senior Donations to: Name ______Phone______New Mexico Street ______E-mail______Wilderness Alliance City, State, Zip ______PO Box 25464 Albuquerque, NM £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance 87125-0464  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard Questions? Card# ______Expiration Date: ______505/843-8696 Signature: ______

OCTOBER 5-8, 2007 With Painter ~ Michelle Chrisman Lodging Discounts available at the Sagebrush Inn: ww.SagebrushInn.com 800-428-3626

Refresh your painting skills with guided painting trips around Taos, New Mexico. Retreat cost for Guide/Instructor: $265+tax ������ Call Michelle Chrisman to Reserve Your Spot! Space is limited & fills up fast! 505-613-0443 www.MichelleChrisman.com EMAIL: [email protected]

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SOUTHWEST NIGHT SKY CONFERENCE September 13-15, 2007 Taos Convention Center, NM Educational sessions will address topics ranging from cultural heritage of the night sky, storytelling and star lore, night sky tourism, lighting ordinance efforts, and the impact of artificial lighting upon wildlife and the natural world. Featured and keynote speakers include: Anna Sofaer, Chaco Canyon “sun dagger” discoverer; Alan Hale, co-discoverer of Com- et Hale-Bopp; and Robert L. Gent, President of the International Dark-Sky Association . For the complete three-day conference bro- chure and on-line registration, please go to www.nmheritage.org or call 505.989.7745 Hosted by the Night Sky Program of the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance (Santa Fe) along with co-sponsor The Inter- national Dark-Sky Association (Tucson)

Page 26 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 27 Mike Grove

Dona Ana County only world class public lands. “Withdrawl” National Landscape Conservation System in Doña Ana County are many, and the would mean stripping away the temporary (NLCS), as Wilderness and National time is NOW. Check out the back page to UPDATE wilderness protections enjoyed by eight Conservation Area (NCA) designation learn how YOU CAN HELP keep Doña Ana continued from page 7 current Wilderness Study Areas, (WSAs). does, increased funding becomes County WILD—people, places, and future wilderness legacy stretches back to 1974 Doing so would deny potential funding available for better management and land generations depend on YOU! with the creation of the Sandia Mountains increases, decrease consequences for protection. The reasons for wilderness Wilderness, and includes the Chama illegal ORV travel, undercut River Canyon Wilderness where ‘Saint additional management presence, Pete’ enlarged the Forest Service’s small and open pristine areas to ORV proposal. devastation. Ironically, “withdrawl” Despite overwhelming community support would lack the specific provisions for wilderness, a group of off road vehicle available in wilderness designa- (ORV) riders and some local ranchers has tions that safeguard ranching. emerged, opposing wilderness. Apparently The change from temporary WSA unconcerned that off road vehicle abuse to designated wilderness offers was just named the single greatest threat communities the chance to build to public lands across the west, they argue proposals that enhance the future that “withdrawal” protections should for wilderness characteristics and be given to all Citizen Proposed lands, ranching operations. Approached instead of wilderness. “Withdrawal” could on a case by case basis, the New mean an area is removed from consid- Mexico Wilderness Alliance and eration for disposal (selling), preventing other coalition partners support some types of development. In the Valle this model, based on cooperation Vidal “withdrawl” from mineral leasing and common ground. protected against the immediate threat Wilderness has a proven level of from oil and gas development. However, protection with a long track record of the Valle Vidal was a gift from Penzoil that Doña Ana County volcanic cones and grassland filled protecting America’s natural treasures. West Potrillo Mountains, north to came with covenants against wilderness Wilderness embraces multiple land uses designation. Action Alert! Broad Canyon’s hidden treasures while also recognizing the land’s intrinsic and spectacular vistas—these areas Doña Ana County has no such covenants, value. When areas are passed into BLM’s Doña Ana County has no desig- must be protected. We have a once nated wilderness—despite the in a lifetime chance today! iconic Organ Mountains and the Broad Canyon complex, offering If you live in Doña Ana natural riparian areas, spectacular County, call, email, and/or desert mountains, and canyons stop by our office: 527-9962, with native grasses waving in the [email protected], 275 wind. North Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Join us for a weekend Off Road Vehicle abuse is on the wilderness walk to explore the rise and development marches Citizen Proposal areas. Join in on. These natural areas face grave and GET OUTSIDE! Learn more: threats. www.DonaAnaWild.org, and go to nmwild.org/action to send a fax. YOU can help bring well deserved wilderness to special wild places in Doña Ana County. Tell Senator’s Bingaman and Domenici to protect New Mexico’s natural CALL TODAY! heritage. Senator Pete Domenici: Call, email, or fax the Senators 202-224-6621 (Phone) to let them know that you 202-228-3261 (Fax) support the Citizen’s Proposal http://domenici.senate.gov for protecting Doña Ana County’s wild places. From the Senator Jeff Bingaman: 202-224-5521 (Phone) towering pinnacles of the Organ 800-443-8658 (Toll Free in NM) Mountains, south-west to the vast http://bingaman.senate.gov

Page 26 SUMMER 2007 New Mexico WILD! Page 27 ������������� ������������������������������ ������������������� �� ������������ ���������

October 27, 2007 Hyatt Tamaya Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico Guest Speakers: Gary Guller Profess ional Motivational Speaker , Film Producer , Adventurer & Mt. Everest Summiter Gary led the lar gest cross-disability group to reach Mt. Everest Base Camp at 17,500 feet, before setting another record, becoming the first person with one arm to summit Mt. Everest! craig childs naturalist, adventureer , desert ecologist, author Author of eleven books that combine science and wilderness travel, he is winner of the Colorado Book Award and the Spirit of the West Literary Achieve- ment Award, given to a writer whose body of work captures the unique spirit of the American West. joe adair = e y e for design 505-31 9-3754 < > joe @ joe adair.c om diane denish ��������������������� gr aphic de sign f or t he pr in t ed c ommunic a t ion o f pr ogr e s si ve ide a s & ide al s new mexico ��� ��� ������ � � � ������ Lieutenant ������������ Governor ���������� ����� � ������� (INVITED) ������ �� �� ���� �� �� bernardo beach WILDERNESS WORKSHOPS: W ilderness Medicine, Creative W riting, W ilderness Restoration, native and xeric plants W ilderness Activism, T ravel Management in Nat. Forests, and more. for vibrant habitat gardens 3729 Arno Street NE in Albuquerque 505-345-6248 bernardobeachnatives.com EYES OF NEW MEXICO AR T COMP ANY - THE BAR TELST ONE PHOT OWORKS COLLECTION Exclusive new showr oom at 7103 4th Str eet NW Albuquer que, New Mexico By Appointment Please (505) 344-3385 www .eyesofnewmexico.com

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