www.nmwild.org NEW MEXICO WILDERNESS YO! What’s with the ALLIANCE Main Office Spotted Kitty? 505/843-8696 • fax 505/843-8697 [email protected] • www.nmwild.org P.O. Box 25464 ince we went with our new masthead, Albuquerque, NM 87125 we have received many inquiries about 202 Central Avenue, SE • Suite 101 Albuquerque, NM 87102 the big, wild cat gracing the left-hand corner of our front page: Las Cruces Field Office 275 N. Downtown Mall S “Why do you have an African animal for Las Cruces, NM 88001 505/527-9962 your mascot?” Mission Statement “We don’t have cheetahs in New Mexico. The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is dedicated Who are you trying to kid?” to the protection, restoration, and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wild lands and “I hope that big cat eats all you wacko Wilderness areas. greenies” NMWA Staff Las Cruces Office And our personal fave: “Yo! What’s with the Greta Balderrama, Grassroots Organizer spotted kitty?” Albuquerque Office Tisha Broska, Membership Coordinator Well, that “spotted kitty” is a jaguar. Steve Capra, Associate Director Panthera onca. El tigre del Norte. Nathan Newcomer, Grassroots Organizer Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager And not an African import, but a native Jim Scarantino, Executive Director Michael Scialdone, Director of Wilderness Protection New Mexican. Jaguars have been in New Board of Directors Mexico so long they probably know what Dave Parsons, Chair, Albuquerque, NM happened at Chaco Canyon. Tom Mouck, Treasurer, Albuquerque, NM Nancy Morton, Secretary, Albuquerque, NM Jaguars once ranged far north into New Pam Eaton, Denver, CO Mexico, and beyond into southern Colorado Panthera Onca Dave Foreman, Albuquerque, NM Randall Gray, Lake Valley, NM and Utah. In 1997, a large jaguar was Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM photographed south of Lordsburg in the Wes Leonard, El Paso, TX Parrots once were found in large numbers Kathy Love, Albuquerque, NM Peloncillos. Those mountains don’t get their in southern New Mexico, until meat hunters David Mielke, Placitas, NM reputation as a critical wildlife corridor for working for mining companies wiped them out. Melissa Savage, Santa Fe, NM Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM Wilderness is the key to Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM these royalty of Creation Steve West, Carlsbad, NM African Import? Tom Wootten, Cortaro, AZ reclaiming their place in our Newsletter Staff State’s landscape. Wilderness Tisha Broska, Managing Editor Native New Mexican! saves for them and for us Joe Adair, Design Editor Jim Scarantino, Contributing Editor important remnants of James Broska, Copy Editor nothing. In 1998, a black jaguar—passing freedom and grandeur. Without Wilderness, through what is called its melanistic phase— The Artists New Mexico could be, well, way too much like Cover photo by T. Broska; p. 3 tree artwork by A. was recorded in a credible sighting in the Texas. It certainly wouldn’t be the home we Ahlander, tree hugger cartoon by B. Maguire, bear Black Range, west of Truth or Consequences. photo by K. Ward; p. 4 photo by R. Watt; p. 5 photos by love with such fierce passion. G. Balderrama; p. 6 photo by S. Capra; p. 8 photo of Jack Other magical creatures have followed the by S. Capra and photo of Jack and Ed by C. Loeffler; p. We hadn’t intended it when we set out to 9 photo by S. Capra; p. 10 photos by M. Heinrich; p. 11 same Peloncillos by-way from tropical Mexico, jazz up our look, but come to think of it, no painting by M. Morrison; p. 12 photo by S. Capra; p. 13 and the Sierras Madres, into the Land of better mascot than the jaguar could be chosen photo of Elsie Mackinnon courtesy of Laughing Lizard, Enchantment. Coatamundis — think of a Rosemary Cascio photo courtesy of The Herb Stop; p. to represent New Mexico Wild! 14 photo courtesy of John Toppenberg (1996); p. 16 raccoon crossed with a spider monkey — have graphic by J. Adair; p. 17 photo by T. Broska; p. 18 photo returned to the Gila Country. This year a So, dude, that’s what’s with the spotted kitty. by N. Newcomer, graphic by J. Adair and illustration by Thanks for asking. E. Cantor broad-billed parrot vacationed at Ted Turner’s Armendaris Ranch east of Elephant Butte. Wilderness The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System to pre- serve the last remaining wild lands in America. The Wilderness Act, as federal policy, secures “an endur- ing resource of wilderness” for the people. Wilder- ness is defined as an area that has primarily been affected by the forces of nature with the imprint of Tree Huggers 3 Laughing Lizard 13 humans substantially unnoticeable. Columbine-Hondo, Rocky Mountain Jewel 4 Ruidoso’s Herb Stop 13 It is an area that offers outstanding opportunity for solitude or a primitive or unconfined type of Love Wilderness and Lose Weight 5 Mexican Gray Wolves Struggle 14 recreation, and an area that contains ecological, Take a Hike 5 Patriots Love Trees 15 geological, or other features of scientific, educa- tional, scenic, or historical value. Otero Mesa Fight is at its Hottest Point Yet 6 Joyce Kilmer: Poet, Tree Lover, Hero 15 Letters to NMWA 7 Bully! 16 A Conversation with Jack Loeffler 8 Wildlands Painted! Art Show A Big Hit 17 Mardy Murie 9 Beauty of Nature 17 Ojito Wilderness Act 10 Young Voices 18 Thank you, WILD OATS, for your support! Ojito, Seeds of Inspiration 11 Nancy Morton: A Lifetime of Caring 19 New Mexico WILD! is available at all Coalition Update 11 Upcoming Hikes 20 WILD OATS stores in Albuquerque. The Fight is Still on for Otero Mesa 12 New Mexico WILD! Page 3 or some reason, “tree hugger” are the oldest living individuals of this land called America, it is going has become a term of deri- these species ever found in North to take all of us working together sion. But what’s objection- America1. The innermost ring to save what we’ve got left. So, able about liking trees? Try of one particu- what can you do? First, plan a Fliving in a world without trees. The trip ASAP to your favorite wild people who don’t like trees spot. Get out there, roam and are the prob- explore, then sit quietly under a large tree before a grand vista. Soak in the wisdom of the trees and the earth. After your rejuvenation, come back and help protect this place we call home. NMWA always needs seek refuge folks to write letters to our congressio- among the trees. nal delegation and agency personnel, The soothing or to get out on the ground and help green softness with restoration work. Reclaim an of a juniper, the illegal road some rude four-wheeler smell of a pon- tore into the land. Bring a spring back lem. There’s some- derosa pine, the to life. Clean up a trail. Talk to others. thing wrong with them. quaking of aspen Get involved. It’s what all good Tree and cottonwood, Huggers do! The term is often used as an all bring a calm- attempted insult by those who can ing effect to the 1. From Natural History of El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico Bureau of Mines & only see the Earth and its diver- anxious mind. Mineral Resources, compiled by Ken Mabery of sity of life as nothing more than And then there the US National Park Service. a ready supply of resources are the giants, to be exploited for indus- the old growth try. For those who care Douglas firs, blue to remember, in the early spruces, alliga- eighties the Forest Ser- tor junipers, and vice developed policies bristlecone pines. that allowed clear-cut- Humble moments ting of old growth for- are felt within the ests to be called “manage- presence of these ment.” This cynical artifice mighty trees as occurred during the administration of lar tree was dated they speak to an Ronald Reagan—you know, the guy at A.D. 719. You read that right: in 16 ancient wisdom who once blamed pollution on trees. more years we can stand up and sing that goes well beyond our human Thank goodness some brave Tree Happy Birthday for its 1300th year timeframe. All together now – “Tree Huggers remembered the Boston Tea living on Earth! hugger. You bet.” Party and employed the time-honored American tradition of civil disobedi- And that granddaddy of a Doug- YEAH, BUT ARE YOU A CACTUS ence. If not for them we may not have las fir is almost a child compared to KISSER? Whoa, I don’t know about any ancient forests left. a remnant Rocky Mountain juniper that, you’re thinking. But in recent that was found near Bandera crater. times, due in no small part to elo- The focus of those battles was the It was 1,888 years old, making it the quent writers like Edward Abbey and old growth in the coastal regions of oldest tree known to have lived in the Anne Haymond Zwinger, deserts are the northwest. But what about here American Southwest. Experts believe getting the appreciation they deserve. in New Mexico? As anyone who has there are juniper trees living in our When you take the time to study the hiked the high mountains of our won- state over 2,000 years old! details, there is a lot more to deserts derful state knows, old growth exists than meets the eye. The Chihua- here as well. Those giant spruce and TREE HUGGER – WHO ME? If huan Desert, that reaches as far north fir trees you will find in the backcoun- you have read this far, you probably as Socorro, contains a greater diver- try are several hundred years old. A don’t flinch at the term. After all, how sity of butterflies than any other eco- recent survey of trees living on the can anyone not be inspired by trees? region in the world (go butterflies!). lava flow of the El Malpais National There are few better ways to seek relief New Mexico has some great wild des- Monument found Douglas firs that from the stresses of this world than erts. Our colorful, lazy sunsets simply can’t be beat. From the vast expanses of Otero Mesa and the Nutt Grass- lands to the Sky Islands of southwest- ern New Mexico with their incredible biological diversity, people of all per- suasions are seeing deserts in a new light. Well, nearly all persuasions. That’s the problem. Just like people who don’t like trees are the problem. IT TAKES US ALL! Whether you claim to be a tree hugger, a cactus kisser, bunny hugger, wild eyed greenie or just a regular Joe or Jane who loves

New Mexico WILD! Page 3 d i s c o v e r N ewMexico Columbine – Hondo Rocky Mountain Jewel

unit along a ridgeline trail that leads to The Columbine – Hondo Wilderness Gold Hill, the highest point in the unit Study Area (WSA) is located in Taos at 12,711 feet. Gold Hill can also be County, north/northeast of the town accessed from the Taos Ski Valley park- of Taos. Highway 150 that takes you ing lot at the Twining trailhead. This is to Taos Ski Valley forms the southern an excellent trail as you wind your way boundary of the unit. The towns of through spruce – fir forests to a -gla Arroyo Seco, Questa, and Red River are cier-carved valley leading to Gold Hill nearby and also provide access points and then you can drop down the back- nia coneflower as tall as your eye. The LOCAL SUPPORTERS to the area. side to Goose Lake. canopy of pine and fir cools the air making this a pleasant hike even on The following businesses have supported the New ocated between the perma- August brings chilling rains to the Mexico Wilderness Alliance in various ways including a hot day. When the summer rains nently protected Latir Peak region, gracing the hillsides with tall carrying our newsletter and joining the Coalition for and Wheeler Peak Wilder- grasses and an abundance of wildflow- have lifted, you may stumble upon New Mexico Wilderness. Support wilderness by sup- ness Areas, Columbine – Hondo WSA ers. You will be greeted by Engelmann tiny harebells woven in with slender porting them when you head out for your hike in Col- L umbine – Hondo. offers all the grandeur expected from aster, scarlet gilia, and firecracker pen- grasses, chanterelles sprouting out of the dark, loamy earth, and shelf mush- the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in stemon. Along the trail to Gold Hill, When in Red River, get a great cup of coffee and a northern New Mexico, but is much less goldeneye, mixed in with yarrow and rooms carved into the base of decaying pastry while looking at the wonderful art gallery at visited and an excellent place to seek blue flax, show off their summer bou- Douglas fir. You may find it difficult Mountain Treasures Gallery, 212 West Main, Red solitude. This would not have been quet in an explosion of yellow. The to hurry through the hike. The trail River, New Mexico; 505-754-2700 crosses the rock-lined stream at sev- the case 100 years ago as prospectors roar of rushing water through the Surf the web while enjoying a great bagel sandwich eral places where you can stop and rest scoured the area for ore bodies simi- mountain streams accompanies you as at Magic Circle Bagels Coffees & Cyber Cafe, Furr’s lar to the ones that created boomtowns you climb toward your destination. your feet in clear, shallow pools. From Shopping Center, Taos, NM 87571; (505) 758-0045 such as nearby Red River. The inevi- the north side of the unit, Columbine Get some organic foods to fuel you on your hike at Cids table bust that follows such booms Down the road, Yerba Canyon — Creek Trail offers an easy day hike up a beautiful steam valley. The Colum- Food Market, 22 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM. left the area dormant. Today, many “yerba” means “herb” in Spanish — 505-758-1148 bine-Hondo WSA is a great place to view fall leaves, for several sizeable If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee in Taos, head aspen groves exist within the unit. to The Bean, 900 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571; (505) 758-7711 With excellent opportunities for hiking, backpacking, fishing, wildlife Gear-up for that hike at Cottam’s Ski Shops, 207 viewing, and snowshoeing and back- Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571; (505) 758-2822 country skiing in the winter months, If you would like an extended Columbine-Hondo trek Columbine – Hondo is one of the best with llama carrying some of the weight and guides that undesignated wilderness areas in New have an excellent wilderness ethic, contact Wild Earth Mexico. May the day soon come that it Llama Adventures, Taos, NM, (800) 758-5262.

has the permanent protection of desig- Staying in the area overnight? Check out Taos Creek nated WILDERNESS that it deserves! Cabins- Taos, NM Rt. 1 Box 50, Taos, NM 87571 Phone: 1(800)580-5434 1(505)758-4715 Fax: (505)751-7102

Other members of the Coalition in the area: Amigos Bravos- Taos Barry Howard Studios- Taos Fast Blossoms Garden Center- Taos Blue Rain Gallery- Taos Brody & White Fine Art- Taos FACTS Bud’s Cut Flowers & More- Taos Cedar & Stone- Taos * Child-Rite Inc.- Taos LOCATION: Coyote Club- Taos Dave’s Custom Cycle- Taos Northeast of Taos, NM, north of the Donald Graham Photography- Taos Rio Hondo and south of the Red River Fenix Gallery- Taos Furry Friends Thrift Store- Taos SIZE: 47,000 acres G&G Sports & Trophies- Taos General Dentistry- Taos Inspirations- Taos ELEVATION RANGE: Larry Van Eaton, Attorney at Law- Taos 7,800 to 12,711 feet at Gold Hill Las Comadres- Taos of the mining scars have healed and will delight you with the fresh scent Paper Book Exchange- Taos are barely noticeable and the old roads of melissa, horse mint, and other aro- ADMINISTRATION: Paul’s Men’s Shop- Taos Planet X- Taos have re-vegetated or have been turned matic herbs. Not 50 feet into the hike, Carson Nation Forest Prairie Ecosystems Association- Ranchos de Taos Premier Medical- Taos into hiking trails. the trail empties into a meadow of MILES OF TRAILS: Rio Grande Weavers Supply- Taos The entirety of Columbine – Hondo groundsel and fleabane where fritil- Approximately 75 Southside Copies, Graphics, Blueprints- Taos laries, pine whites, and Weidemey- Southwest Framers- Taos is steep and rugged. When driving ECOSYSTEMS: Stone Wolf- Taos er’s admirals take nectar. The open Strider A. McCash, D.D.S.- Eagle Nest toward Taos Ski Valley on Hwy 150, ponderosa, spruce/fir, high grassy Taos Eyewear- Taos you will encounter three trailheads. meadow creates excellent opportuni- meadows, alpine tundra Taos Herb Co.- Taos ties for wildflower and butterfly pho- Taos Mosaic- Taos These trails follow canyons that rise GETTING THERE: Taos Tack & Pet Supply- Taos tography. Just off the trail to your Tierra Wood Stoves- Taos almost 4,000 feet as they join together Hwy 150 on the south and east sides, U.S. Outfitters- Rancho de Taos at Lobo Peak at 12,115 feet! From left, you slip into a riparian wonder Hwy 38 on the north side Vibrations- Taos Lobo Peak one can hike the heart of the of Western monkshood and Califor-

Page 4 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 Love Wilderness and Lose Weight! gettingout by Greta Balderrama, NMWA Staff Art Cuaron: a Volunteer Profile uniform until he retired in 1979 and came home to New Mexico. While he there rt Cuaron is a native New was gone Las Cruces grew dramati- Mexican, a patriot, a hunter, cally. Many of the wild places he once a volunteer for NMWA, he works so people should get involved to do what A a fisherman — and an knew were gone. that the next generation still has some they can to protect it. There won’t be unabashed wilderness lover. of wild America left to visit and enjoy. enough for the young folks coming Once wild lands are gone, they are up.” Art grew up in Las Cruces, but gone forever. “I see Wilderness as a good con- left New Mexico as a young man to servation tool,” Art told us. “One See ‘ya on the next hike, Art. see the world courtesy of the United Art is doing something to stop more of my favorite places on earth is the States Navy. He served our country in of our wild lands from being lost. As Gila Wilderness near Snow Lake.” You can join any of our monthly Remember, Art has seen an awful lot hikes and outings. They range from of this planet. easy walks to more challenging treks. We try to take people out to areas they Art has been joining our monthly would not discover on their own… hikes. He helps organize our weekend and make their day a fun time with expeditions and assists people on the other friendly, like-minded people. trail. Helping NMWA out also means All ages can participate. Our hike working out. He credits our hikes leaders know the trails and will do with losing 30 pounds in the last year! their best to help you fall in love with Maybe Oprah and Dr. Phil need to the wild lands we visit. You can find put the Wilderness Alliance and Art our schedule of outings on the last on their shows! page. Or just call us in Albuquerque, 843-8696 or Las Cruces, 547-9962, Besides getting fit while discovering about what’s coming up. Hey, you just some of New Mexico last wild places, might get to meet Art. Art says, “I’ve met some great people while hiking with NMWA.”

“I love Wilderness and I think

Many of the hikes are suitable for TAKE A beginners, so don’t be shy. This past June, we had a really HIKE! fun group of 32 that decided to by Greta Balderrama, ditch the summer heat and head NMWA Staff for the Gila National Forest. We re you curious about what’s hiked south of Emory Pass along out there on the horizon? the Crest Trail of the Black Range. A Come hike with us and see We walked through lovely, old for- some of New Mexico’s most beau- ests the whole way. There were tiful wild areas--some you’ve heard seniors on the trip--some real of, some you probably haven’t. The tough ones, at that--as well as pre- NMWA goes out at least once a month. teen kids and all ages and fitness

levels in between. We had a few “first It was a good kind of sore. I timers” on this hike. One of them was enjoyed myself. Sonia Bañuelos. She was a little ner- vous at first, but had this to say at the Thank you so much to Greta end of the hike: of the NMWA and all the other people who were on the hike.” “It was my first hike ever. It was a great experience and I Just check the back cover of this would recommend it to every- newsletter for upcoming hikes. We one. If you have never been vary the locations and difficulty level hiking, go when you get a so you should be able to find one that’s chance. It was a beautiful and right for you or you and your family. wonderful experience out in We hope to see you on the trail soon. the mountains. It was a 9-mile hike and I cannot lie, I was a little sore...but that’s okay...

Page 4 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 The Fight to Save Otero Mesa is at its Hottest Point Yet campaign updates by Nathan Newcomer, NMWA Staff Otero Mesa Update Pearce Hears From Constituents ears. He simply would not modify for Domenici responded to the ad his position to serve the wishes of by saying, “If the reserves are of sig- oices calling for the pro- Early one August evening, resi- the majority of people who turned nificant size, he (Domenici) will tection of Otero Mesa dents of the Socorro area packed a out to meet him. support low-impact drilling.” are being heard all over town hall meeting with Congress- New Mexico. Some man Steve Pearce. The crowd was Sure, we have a representa- Due to inaccurate media report- Vvoices are coming from quarters vocally opposed to his position on tive democracy. We don’t run the ing and industry propaganda from that might surprise you. Otero Mesa and other issues. More nation like a New England-style HEYCO (Harvey E. Yates Company, than a few were openly hostile. town hall meeting. But the under- the company leading the push to Ranchers Speak Up But what really caught the crowd lying, all-critical premise of our open Otero Mesa), Domenici’s staff Against Oil & Gas off-guard that evening and liter- system is that the people we send to and some of the public are being ally drew an audible gasp from the Congress will reflect the values and mislead about Otero Mesa’s oil In late July, the ranchers of Otero audience were Pearce’s comments wishes of the people back home. and gas potential. According to the Mesa and the Paragon Foundation, about selling off public lands. In Congressman Pearce’s case, that Bureau of Land Management, and a group that campaigns to protect part of the equation seems to be even other oil & gas companies, the private property rights, spoke up in “I think we have far too much amount of oil or gas beneath the support of protecting Otero Mesa. public land,” Pearce said, and pro- mesa is expected to be very mini- ceeded to blame public land for “I think we have mal and have little impact on our “It’s a matter of survival for us being a drag on New Mexico’s nation’s energy needs. Otero Mesa all,” said Bob Jones, a rancher with economy. far too much is not a vast reservoir of oil or nat- public leases on Otero Mesa and ural gas reserves. It never has been president of the Paragon Founda- Obviously Pearce is unaware that public land,” and never will be. tion. “If we can’t get them stopped, tourists, a lot of whom visit New we’re through. All we get out of it is Mexico’s public lands for their -Congressman The Coalition for Otero Mesa destruction.” beauty and solitude, add over 3.9 is generating hundreds upon billion dollars to the state economy Steve Pearce hundreds of letters to Senator “I’m not going to let ‘em destroy annually. Public land recreation is Domenici. In Las Cruces, thanks to it,” said G.B. Oliver III, execu- the major force keeping many rural the hard work of Jim Steitz of the tive vice president of the Para- malfunctioning. Keep letting him communities going. We have heard Southwest Environment Center, gon Foundation and president of know what you think. some people say that Steve Pearce over 1400 signatures have been col- the Western Bank in Alamogordo. really wants to make New Mexico lected on a petition to the Senator. “Our goal is the same.” —NMWA Sportsmen Speak Out more like Texas. Selling our public Tabling events and slideshows on couldn’t agree more. With that in lands would be one sure way to All the past Directors of the New Otero Mesa are occurring across mind, we will continue to place start. Mexico Game and Fish Depart- the state. A Science Research week- ment for 30 years joined the lead- end drew over 50 people who col- ers of New Mexico’s sportsmen’s lected basic data on the grass- groups in an open letter to Sen. lands, birds, and prairie dogs of the Pete Domenici that appeared as region. A Religious Retreat out to a full-page advertisement in the Otero Mesa has produced an inter- Albuquerque Journal. They crit- faith advisory statement that will icized the U.S. Bureau of Land be circulated to all of the churches Management’s plans that will open in New Mexico. Otero Mesa to “high-density drill pads, noxious waste pits and hun- Thanks to all of you, who are dreds of miles of new roads and contributing to the campaign to pipelines.” save Otero Mesa. Because of your work, we are that much closer to “The BLM has shown it cannot protecting America’s largest and protect Otero Mesa from the harm wildest Chihuahuan Desert grass- oil and gas development have land. Thank you! caused elsewhere in our state. Please help us save Otero Mesa for future aside our differences on other Congressman Pearce’s town halls generations of New Mexicans,” said Reminder issues and work together on the in Hillsboro, Arrey, Las Cruces, the open letter to Domenici. He The Final Environmental Impact common goal of keeping the oil & Deming, Lordsburg, Silver City and was asked to work with other New Statement for Otero Mesa is due gas boys from ravaging Otero Mesa. Carlsbad saw similar scenes. His Mexico leaders to see Otero Mesa out the second week of Decem- A common love of New Mexico is constituents spoke up for Otero protected as a National Conserva- ber. Pease call, write or fax Senator enough to bridge our differences Mesa and New Mexico’s great tion area. Domenici and ask him to work to on this important effort. public lands. Congressman Pearce save New Mexico’s Otero Mesa. acted as though he had cotton in Matt Letourneau, a spokesman

Page 6 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 Letters To N M WA edited by Joe Adair

------joy the same New Mexico Thank you, Robert! Just WILDERNESS IS you have. Ranchers are goes to show that not FOR PEOPLE! sometimes our best al- OUR FAVORITE LETTER: all the people that care lies in this struggle. They about the environment are I do not want to be a want the land kept free of SCORPION extremist wackos like us. oil and gas wells, too. If a DAMNATION! -NMWA member of N.M. Wild. Mexican Gray Wolf should Alliance. People have the happen to harvest a Heif- Having read the info on ------right to use our public er, the ranchers are reim- your web site I now know WILDERNESS IS A BLAST! land. I think your goal is bursed at market rate for what an environmental to keep people out so the the lost little doggie(s). We wacko really is. To hell Dear NMWA- don’t want control of the with the scorpions and animals and etc. can have it. You are putting them land wrested from the peo- snakes and whatever I am still telling everyone ple, we ensure it remains other wildlife is there. over humans. I see about our trip to I don’t think you should in the control of the people We need gas at reasonable Otero Mesa last —and not the oil and gas have complete control prices. weekend. Rich and I had companies. Are you sure such a great time you don’t want to join us? Doris Andre with you all, and -NMWA were amazed “TO HELL Doris, while your at all the animals assessment of us is WITH THE ------we saw. As we were NOT WORTH THE WAIT essentially true, gas prices leaving at dusk, we are a product of the cost of SCORPIONS AND saw several NMWA- imported oil, not domestic. herds of white- Even if we managed to SNAKES AND tailed mule deer, Sorry, I’ve stopped wipe out every living and a herd of 7 creature in the state with WHATEVER donating to environmental Oryx. I forgot to tell causes until after new oil wells, you wouldn’t you that while we OTHER pay less for gas. If you the warmongering were walking out totalitarians in want to save gas money, around the prairie WILDLIFE IS drive a fuel efficient car. Washington DC are voted dog towns that I out of power. -NMWA saw a large jack THERE. WE rabbit. I startled ------NEED GAS AT Dale L. Berry him and he ran past Grants, NM REGULAR FOLK me. So cool … I hope APPRECIATED REASONABLE we’ll see you again Dale, in a political climate soon. Thanks again Hi - PRICES.” like this, we need you now for a great learning more than ever! When experience. over public land. Its the voices of conservation I read a copy of your newspaper while visiting not your right to do so. are drowned out by so- Sincerely, Farmers and Ranchers do called “conservatives,” the Zele Cafe in Santa Fe. Gail Kelly It was very compelling. not need Mex. Gray wolves (Teddy Roosevelt is rolling to kill their cattle. over in his grave,) it I especially appreciated We were glad to have you, the articles written by becomes more vital than Gail! Everyone should join ever that our message be ranchers who have had our sponsored hikes in I think this whole thing is their lives impacted by heard. Sweeping changes New Mexico’s WILDlands. a bunch of boloney and the have already been made gas drilling. And a home See Page 20 for upcoming next idea will be to take owner outstanding in his that benefit no one but events. -NMWA private land from people field, (ha). It’s much more profiteers. Those changes significant to read the that has worked and paid will take years of effort to ------for it. reverse... just to return us first hand experiences of NOT NICE FOLK the locals, rather than a -ANONYMOUS to where we were before the Bush Regime took one sided article from an People that will ruin the environmentalist. There’s several miscon- power. - NMWA earth so they can make a ceptions we need to clear few thousand dollars are up here, Anonymous. Our I tore out the “Please Join the worst criminals. Us” box so I could send you only goal is to preserve New Mexico’s wild places a donation. Sali Dalton Love NMWA? Hate us? Love nature, but for the people, not to keep can’t stand conservationists? We want to Santa Fe, NM Best wishes - it from the people. We hear from you! Drop us a note today: want our children and our email - [email protected] or Sali, you and Doris should children’s children to en- NMWA, PO Box 25464 Robert Marcos, have a little talk. -NMWA Albuquerque, NM 87125-0464 photographer Page 6 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 still rely upon wilderness for survival. Indeed wilderness is home “We are people& to our gene pool, that sacred elixir that has fomented life connected to into consciousness. We are wilderness connected to the wild, as the wild, as through through an umbilical cord, by the double helix at the core an umbilical cord, of our being. And we must rely upon the geography of by the double helix a Conversation with the wild to provide the coor- dinates with which to plot a at the core of Jack Loeffler, true azimuth back home to our being.” balance and sanity. We are presently coursing through a Ed Abbey’s Compañero meander that we’d best aban- year. Could this be what remained? By Jim Scarantino don. Otherwise, we’ll be trapped in That night curled up in my sleeping an eddy at the heart of an erroneous bag, the only light remaining cast by paradigm founded on turning Para- the stars, I seemed to sense the pres- dise into money. ence of chindi’i, or ghosts of departed athabascans and ancestral puebloans You have just related Wilder- whose lives had preceded my own in ness to mankind, or the other way this wilderness canyon country. around. And you have defined, at least in part, Wilderness as a Great story, but what… benefit to people. Patience. Yet another time, while No matter where you wander running part of the Green River, a in desert country, you find human friend and I hiked a side canyon and spoor that may go back a thousand found a skeletal human forearm pro- years. Long ago, a friend and I were truding from beneath a fallen boul- poking around in the Plains of San der. Could this be where Everett Augustine. We’d camped near Bat Reuss zagged instead of zigged? Some Cave, a place continuously inhabited fellow human had met his fate wan- by humans for several thousand years. dering this remote wilderness. There was evidence of corn, as well as many bone fragments in the midden. To me, one condition that char- I found a perfect arrowhead made by acterizes wilderness is that a single someone whose personal molecules human is one on one with the rest had long since been scattered through- of the bioregion. One may not be at remember sitting at phones and recorders. Once when I out the habitat. Here was evidence of the top of the food chain. One must the Albuquerque air- was camped in the Kuakatch Wash a human community inhabiting wil- dance within the play of the elements. port trying to have a in the Sonoran, I had something of derness, being part of wilderness, the One must harmonize with the flow conversation with Jack an epiphany. I had set out a pair of people themselves wild in a way that of Nature. And if one is lucky, one’s Loeffler. We didn’t get microphones in a stereo configuration. was commensurate with the Spirit of intuitions will burst with recognition very far. Every two minutes we were I’d cranked up the gain so that I was Place. Their purview included far of the genesis of our species within our Iinterrupted by someone who knew hearing around six hundred percent more than I could imagine, just as wilderness homeland and know that Jack. It seemed Jack was acquainted better than humans normally hear. I mine would have been utterly alien we would be bereft without the wild. with everyone in the teeming airport. heard different species of birds sound- to them. Jack has been a fixture in New Mexico ing alarm signals from south to north You are almost a living legend for over 40 years. He is a writer, radio through my field of hearing. I got out That would go without saying… for your experiences with indig- documentary producer, musician (jazz my binoculars and spotted a low flying Another time I trumpet and baroque recorders), adven- hawk about a mile away heading north. was camping with turer, ethnographer, and was Ed Abbey’s This experience greatly affected me. I a friend, but hiking compañero and partner in deviltry and was the only human around for miles. solo in a beautiful mischief. Jack read more than a few of That experience was an aural glimpse side canyon in the Abbey’s works before a publisher took into the workings of the biotic commu- Chinle Wash water- them. Abbey gave Jack his type-written nity that has evolved there since the end shed. I had left the manuscript of “The Monkey Wrench of the Pleistocene. For a time, I left my trail, and while Gang.” We recently sat down again, this own language behind and was celebrat- traipsing through time at Castro’s Restaurante in Santa ing in wilderness lingo. the red rock wil- Fe. We were interrupted only a half derness, I found a You probably have far more wil- dozen times. Everyone, say hello to Jack human jawbone. I derness stories to tell than most of Loeffler. picked it up, exam- us. What have you learned from ined it and discov- —Jim Scarantino your years pushing into the remain- ered that it was ing wild lands of North America? Let’s start this like we’re sharing still fresh, only We are rooted in Nature. We are a recently de-fleshed. a secret handshake. I carry with member species of the Animal King- me every day powerful memories I had heard that an dom. And while we have developed the acquaintance who of wilderness experiences. How technology to considerably re-shape our about you? had lived in the area respective habitats in accordance with had disappeared I’m a hunter-gatherer. I hunt down our cultural fantasies, we as a species sounds and gather them with micro- within the last

Page 8 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 throughout the American West and Isla San Estevan where whirlpools ceaseless, irreparable loss of wild and Mexico. I’ve recorded and riptides can launch you to your fate lands that mean so much. How do their songs and their sto- in a moment. I was recording a song you do it? ries and reflected on the -enor cycle wherein each song is sung from mous degree to which cultures within a trance before physically enter- The great human experiment is are shaped by their respective ing a specific danger zone. The songs indeed a splendid adventure. My old habitats. I’ve wandered among enable the fisher people to align their compañero Ed Abbey regarded the the Nez Perce, Shoshonean, mythic co-ordinates with their immedi- here-and-now as a great time to be alive Ute, Navajo, Hopi, Rio Grande ate habitats and venture through with because there’s so much to laugh about Puebloan, Apache, Tohono and some margin of safety. and be interested in. Music, art, liter- Hiacite O’odham, Yaqui, Seri, ature, science and knowledge in gen- Tarajumara, Huichol, and Our species in indigenous to wilder- eral prevail in abundance. The down- Mayan communities, and in ness. Over the five hundred or so gener- side of the human bio-moment includes each case met men and women ations that separate us from our Pleisto- our vast over-population, a now endan- whose wisdom is founded on cene ancestors with whom we share our gered inter-linked cultural and biologi- understanding mankind’s place genome, we’ve frequently followed cul- cal diversity, an ever more limited cog- in wilderness. They are guided tural paths that have led us away from nitive diversity, and a deadly trail of by the Spirit of Nature, by the wilderness and “the practice of the misapplication of science and technol- local deity whose numen is ever wild.” Our biotic community requires a ogy. It is a great privilege, while the apparent to those whose sensi- large measure of wilderness to continue wild still exists, to step out of the pres- bilities have not been atrophied the great bio-experiment on our planet. ent milieu of civilization, head into wil- by technofantasy or life in the We as individuals within our species derness with knife, stave and lore …and megalopolis. require wilderness in which to quietly go feral. enous peoples. With regard to enter and renew those sensitivities nec- wilderness, what have those expe- One time I was with a group of Seri essary for sanity. Jack, the privilege has been mine riences taught you? fisher folk in a boat in the wilderness …ours. Thanks, hombre. You always seem cheerful and I have spent a lot of my adult life waters of the Sea of Cortez. There’s a optimistic, even in the face of in communities of indigenous people dangerous stretch between Isla Tiburon

of a special class; her peers were with her sister in law and two of Mardy Murie, Heart and Soul Aldo Leopold, Bob Marshall and her now grown children. After my Sig Olsen. talk she spent some time with me, of the Modern Wilderness sharing insights, telling stories of Reading Two in the Far North, times past and encouraging a tired, inspired me to adventure and made but idealistic young man to keep Movement, Has Died at 101 me think long and hard about the speaking out and defending those value of wild, unspoiled places. In wild places that she spent her life by Stephen Capra and Wildlife Service. Their life 1990, when I began to walk from working so hard to protect. together was marked by wilderness Mexico to Canada along the Con- Having lived a life full of adven- adventure in northern Alaska and tinental Divide, I did so to raise Perhaps the greatest tribute to the ture and accomplishment, Mardy the Jackson Hole area and included awareness for the Arctic National life of Mardy Murie, would be the Murie died peacefully on October taking their children with them Wildlife Refuge. Before leaving, I creation of the Mardy Murie Wil- 19, 2003 in her cabin on the Murie into some of the most remote and wrote Mardy Murie and explained derness, on the coastal plane of the Ranch in Moose, Wyoming. Murie wild country in America. my plans. In early August that year Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. had a passion for wild places that I had made my way north to Jack- Luckily there remain a few mil- she expressed vividly in her writ- In 1956, Mardy traveled to the son Hole. On a Friday evening I lion people, determined to make ings, her speeches and her tes- upper Sheenjek River on the south gave a talk to about 100 people it a reality. timony at public hearings. Her slope of the Brooks Range. It was in Jackson about protecting the intense personal resolve to protect this summer-long adventure that Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In For more information, contact the wilderness, stood in contrast to her began the campaign to protect the the crowd was Mardy Murie, along Murie Center: www.muriecenter.org warm and welcoming personality, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. that drew an unending stream of Mardy chronicles the trip visitors to her home. From conser- in the later chapters of Two vationists to scientists, from Pres- in the Far North, one of the idents to schoolchildren, the door classic books dealing with was always open and the chance to the environment. learn and be inspired almost rou- tine. When the Wilderness Bill was passed in 1964, it was Mardy Murie was born in Seat- Mardy Murie that stood tle in 1902, but raised in the fron- beside President Johnson as tier town of Fairbanks, Alaska. At the Bill was signed. an early age she learned how to deal with harsh winters and rough For me personally, Mardy living while developing a love for Murie was something spe- the wild country beyond her door- cial, perhaps a link to a step. Shortly after becoming the time when environmental- first woman graduate of the -Uni ists fought from the heart. versity of Alaska, she met a young Before focus groups, neo- biologist, Olaus Murie, who was conservatives and polling. studying caribou for the U.S. Fish She was also one of the last

Page 8 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Ojito Wilderness Act

land ethic 40 years later. “Forty years later still, the Ojito provides a unique wilder- CONTACT YOUR ness area that is important not SENATOR AND only to its local stewards, but CONGRESSPERSON also to the nearby residents of TODAY Albuquerque and Santa Fe… AND It is an outdoor geology lab- SHOW YOUR oratory, offering a spectacu- SUPPORT FOR OJITO lar and unique opportunity to view from a single location the juxtaposition of the south- Rep. Tom Udall western margin of the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Pla- 1414 Longworth House Office Bldg. teau, and the Rio Grande Rift, Washington, DC 20515 along with the volcanic necks Fax: 202-226-1331 or 505-986-5047 of the Rio Puerco Fault. Its rugged terrain offers a reward- Rep. Heather Wilson ing challenge to hikers, back- 318 Cannon House Office Bldg. By Martin Heinrich Statement of Senator Jeff Bin- packers, and photographers. It shel- Washington, DC 20515 gaman, in the U.S. Senate, Sep- ters ancient Puebloan ruins and an n September 24, Senator tember 24, 2003: Fax: 202-225-4975 or 505-346-6723 Jeff Bingaman and Rep. endemic endangered plant, solitude and inspiration. Tom Udall introduced “I am particularly pleased to Senator Jeff Bingaman the Ojito Wilderness introduce this legislation in celebra- The words of Leopold and Senator 703 Hart Senate Office Bldg. OAct (S. 1649/H.R. 3176), which would tion of the 40th anniversary of The Anderson are fitting for the Ojito, permanently pro- Washington, DC 20510 for it is ‘what the land was, what it Fax: 202-224-2852 or 505-346-6780 tect the approximately is and what it ought to be’; let the 11,000-acre Ojito Wil- ...offering a spectacular ‘Ojito Wilderness Act’ be ‘a demon- derness northwest of and unique opportunity stration by our people that we can Senator Pete Domenici Albuquerque. The bill put aside a portion of this which we 328 Hart Senate Office Bldg. is co-sponsored by Sen. to view from a single have as a tribute to the Maker and Washington, DC 20510 Pete Domenici and Rep. location the juxtaposition say this we will leave as we found Fax: 202-228-0900 or 505-346-6720 Heather Wilson. If it.’” approved, the measure of the southwestern would create the first margin of the Rocky Please thank our Senators and Rep- new Wilderness area in Mountains, the Colorado resentative for introducing the Ojito REMEMBER, New Mexico since 1987. Wilderness Act. Plateau, and the Rio YOUR VOICE The legislation allows Grande Rift... the Pueblo of Zia to COUNTS! purchase abutting BLM land--land which holds -Sen. Jeff Bingaman strong cultural and reli- gious significance for the people of Zia. Lands purchased Wilderness Act of 1964 and by the Pueblo of Zia will remain open the eightieth anniversary of to the public and will be managed as the Nation’s first adminis- open space in perpetuity. This land tratively-designated wilder- will be protected from development, ness. This celebration is par- off road vehicle damage, mining and ticularly meaningful to my oil and gas exploration. State of New Mexico, for it is both the proud birthplace This historic bill would not have of wilderness and the home come about were it not for the strong to two of its fathers: Aldo partnership forged between NMWA, Leopold, who worked from the Coalition for New Mexico Wil- Albuquerque for 15 years to derness, the Pueblo of Zia, The Wil- create in 1924 the Gila wil- derness Society, numerous businesses, derness near my home in conservation organizations and many southern New Mexico, and local and statewide elected officials. New Mexico Senator Clin- Thanks to all of you who worked hard ton Anderson, who was to make this bill a reality. instrumental in codifying Aldo Leopold’s wilderness

Page 10 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 Introduced in Congress Ojito, Seeds of Inspiration

By Melinda Morrison, Colorado Artist the sandy ground competing with each other for Being an artist, my love affair for Ojito started the viewer’s attention. Who had lived in this with great ambivalence. I saw Ojito for the land? Who had survived to tell their stories of first time in deep winter last February. The survival, I wondered? vast, harsh environment seemed to leap out At first, my heart seemed resistant to the song and shout “ go away!” that Ojito was sing- It was as if there was ing to me that Febru- an unsaid tale in the ary. It was a strange tune begin wooing my heart the longer I stayed. air, a tale that spoke language that I never tall bold cliffs turned bright orange in the early My heart felt penetrated with inspiration. of sacred places where heard in the moun- dawn. Ojito’s song had wooed my heart and its possibly few had sur- song had become my song. I recognized it as a tains of Colorado. Months later, I had just finished my first art vived to tell the story. voice crying out to remain free and wild, to be That day in Ojito, I show of New Mexico wilderness paintings. I Overwhelming com- respected and lay in rest as part of America’s last let my eyes roam the wanted to go back to revisit Ojito, to see if its positions of cliffs and untouched frontier. I now sing Ojito’s song in rugged countryside mood had changed and to hear that song one rocks with every square my paintings. I sing it in hopes that others can looking for colors more time. As I drove in the washboard road in inch laced with sage- hear the faint note of freedom. That people hear beneath the winter my car with other artist friends, I remembered brush challenged my and protect Ojito so that its untold stories get barrenness. This was my first moments of ambivalence last February. artistic senses. Deeply told to new generations and seeds of inspiration an honest land, I felt. How would Ojito greet me now? eroded creek beds It made no pretenses. can grow in others hearts. cut their way through It was ancient, serene I stepped out of the car welcomed by yellow heavy groves of sage and held many lost and red cactus blooms, the deep golden glow of brush pushing aside stories. It seemed to blooming chamisa and the sweet fragrance of spindly cactus with have a song of its own fall. If ever I had doubts over the worthiness of seemingless effort. in hopes that others could hear its ancient tale. my new found love, they quickly faded away as Huge rocky cliffs pressed their way up through I heard faint notes of that ancient song and the the morning mist touched the ground and the Coalition Update By Martin Heinrich he Coalition for New Commissioner Pat Lyons, the Sando- direct connection between land con- Mexico Wilderness now val and Bernalillo County Commis- servation, quality of life, and the sus- has 380 businesses and sions, the Albuquerque and Santa Fe tainable economic opportunities of organizations as members. City Councils, and State Representa- the next century. TWe expect to reach 400 before the end tives Roger Madalena, Tom Swisstack of the year. This broad-based coali- and Mimi Stewart are just a few of the If your business or organization tion of large and small businesseses, public officials who have supported would like to support wilderness pro- sportsmen’s organizations, and con- the Ojito Wilderness proposal in one tection by joining the Coalition for servation groups has become a pow- manner or another. Not since the pas- New Mexico Wilderness, please send erful advocate for the creation of new sage of the El Malpais Monument and your business or organization name wilderness in New Mexico. The Coali- Wilderness bill in 1987 has a wilder- and contact information to: Martin Heinreich Wins tion played a critical role in building ness proposal enjoyed such solid and Albuquerque City Council the support necessary for the Ojito wide ranging support. District 6 Spot Wilderness Act to be introduced in September with bipartisan support Coalition activist Arturo Sandoval Many thanks go to Martin Heinrich from members of New Mexico’s con- of Voces, Inc. has been working closely for all his hard work on the Ojito Wil- gressional delegation. The support with many rural communities in New derness Act. Martin was instrumental Mexico to build support for addi- Coalition for New Mexico of so many businesses for wilderness Wilderness in getting support for Ojito. protection was an important consid- tional wilderness protection beyond Attn. Martin Heinrich We’d also like to congratulate Martin eration for the many elected officials Ojito. As a result the Cities of Gallup PO Box 27528 on his recent election to Albuquer- who now support the Ojito Wilder- and Grants, the Village of Milan, and Albuquerque, NM 87125 que City Council (District 6). Martin ness Act. Representatives Tom Udall the County of McKinley have passed (505) 242-1522 was endorsed by WildPAC, a political and Heather Wilson, Senators Jeff resolutions supporting more wilder- action committee devoted to Wilder- Bingaman and Pete Domenici, Gov- ness protection in Northwestern New ness and public lands protection. ernor Bill Richardson, State Land Mexico. These communities see the

Page 10 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 It is important that Senator be contaminated forever, for a few Domenici receives both a phone call days or weeks worth of oil and gas. and a letter or fax! E-mails are simply disregarded. We are asking you to take —The BLM does not have the man- a few minutes of your valuable time power or the will to enforce real regu- to help protect this important part of lations on industry, thus the concept involved. New Mexico’s conservation heritage. of “environmentally sound oil and gas IT’S PEOPLE THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. development” is simply a false prom- These few points are important ise. to incorporate into your letter and phone call: —95% of our public lands are open to oil & gas development. New Mexico The Fight Is Still On —Otero Mesa should be protected already contributes its fair share to as a National Conservation Area. our National Energy Policy. For Otero Mesa —There is enough fresh, high-qual- —Otero Mesa is the largest remain- by Nathan Newcomer, ity water in the aquifer beneath Otero ing Chihuahuan desert grassland on NMWA Staff companies. As the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Mesa to supply 800,000 people annu- our public lands in America. It is ally or half of New Mexico’s current home to many important native spe- n the two years the New Committee, Senator Domenici is in a unique position to influence pro- population. This ground water could cies. It has historical and cultural ties Mexico Wilderness Alli- for many Americans. It is also home ance has worked to protect tection for areas like Otero Mesa. to ranching families that have worked Otero Mesa, great progress this area for over five generations, but has been made. We have suc- Although the Senator in recent whose way of life would end abruptly Icessfully delayed full-scale oil and gas with large-scale oil and gas develop- years has gener- development of this national treasure. ment. Governor Bill Richardson has pro- ally sided with the Bush Admin- vided strong and important support The Bureau of Land Management istration on for protecting the Greater Otero Mesa has now scheduled the second week many conserva- Area. Recently, Senator Jeff Bingaman of December for the release of the tion issues, he has met with several staff from the New Final Environmental Impact State- a long history of Mexico Wilderness Alliance and local ment for Otero Mesa. ranchers from Otero Mesa. The Sena- working to pro- tor has been helpful in our efforts and tect lands here Time is running short to make a shares our concerns about protecting in New Mexico. difference on this important issue! the significant environmental, eco- Wilderness areas Here is the information you need to logical, scenic, historical, cultural and like the Sandias, be heard by the man who can make recreational values of Otero Mesa. Manzanos, White Mountains and the difference: It is clear, however, that any legisla- the Bisti Bad- tive effort will not succeed unless our lands all have Senator Pete Domenici senior Senator Pete Domenici hears a been created 328 Hart Senate Office Building strong and impassioned outcry from with the Sena- Washington, D.C. 20510-3101 his New Mexico constituency. tor’s help. Most 202-224-6621 recently, Sena- Fax-202-228-0900 We are asking today in the strongest tor Domenici terms possible for you to call, write, is playing an and fax Senator Pete Domenici and important role ask him to stop plans to turn Otero in the creation of Mesa into an industrial development the Ojito Wilder- for the benefit of a few oil and gas ness Act!

Otero Mesa Source of Solace for Longtime NM Resident

Dear chopped up with roads run cattle there don’t Otero Mesa though is as Senator Domenici, and oilrigs. The antelope like the idea of oil & gas quiet and dark at night herd there is real special development either. as it always has been. I I am a long time resi- and would not benefit urge you strongly to do dent of this state and from oil drilling. There I went through some what you can to say NO have appreciated your is so little land left down very dark times after to oil & gas development many years of service to there that is fairly wild my first daughter died. on Otero Mesa. Let’s New Mexico. I am writ- and good for hunting. I Prayer and being able leave some wild country ing today to urge you to was taught that hunting to walk the open coun- for the next generation. look again at Otero Mesa meant getting off your try on Otero Mesa were and see if it doesn’t war- duff and going for a about the only things Kevin Holladay rant being left alone. hike. Otero Mesa is that that kept me going. That Santa Fe, NM I have hunted down kind of place. The ranch- was a long time ago there for years and it is ers I’ve talked to that and lots of things have way too beautiful to be changed since then.

Page 12 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 Laughing Lizard by Nathan Newcomer, Education. How often are we by Greta Balderrama, protect our state’s threatened wild NMWA Staff reminded that the reason for most NMWA Staff lands. Rosemary believes that every failures to promote and attain change living thing is special and should be From the beginning of Summer is due to the lack of education? “Get Wilderness Makes Good Scents honored. “We’re losing the greatest until the Balloon Fiesta ends over out there!” proclaims Mackinnon. gift that we have, our land, and wil- the skies of Albuquerque, tiny Jemez “Get out there and educate!” Ruidoso’s Herb Stop derness is what needs to be protected.” Springs sees over two million visi- When you walk into Ruidoso’s Gerald has a similar message. He is The Herb Stop, your senses are sud- concerned that urban sprawl, indus- denly both soothed and excited by the trial exploitation, and population pleasant fragrance of fresh herbs. It is expansion are invading wild areas and like stepping into a flower garden and destroying healing herbs and medi- spice shop at the same time. cines that are not even yet recognized. “They may be lost before we can ever Rosemary Cascio and her husband discover their powers and benefits for Gerald Sinclair have made the Herb mankind.” Stop an inviting, aromatic place since purchasing the franchise seven years The Herb Stop offers Chinese, ago. Rosemary learned about herbs Ayurvedic, Western and homeopathic from her grandparents. She describes herbs as well as essential oils, flower her grandfather, of Blackfeet heritage, essences, seasonings, teas, and books. as the original “horse whisperer.” He You can find Herb Stop stores in Ari- taught her to be gentle with animals zona and New Mexico. They sell only and how to treat them with natural fresh, bulk certified organic prod- plants and herbs. Her Swiss grand- ucts. Each store offers level I, II, and tors. Tucked away in the spectacular When it comes to Mackinnon’s mother imparted great respect for III Herbology courses. Individual red rock canyon carved by the Jemez thoughts on how the environmental nature and knowledge of how to shop owners teach additional classes River, Elsie Mackinnon’s Laughing community functions, she has mixed gather plants in a responsible way to and Rosemary shares her expertise in Lizard Inn and Café serves up great emotions. “There are a lot of people ensure survival of each species. treating animals with herbs. She gives coffee, deserts, and one of a kind out there who can define the problem community talks, teaches Herbology dishes like their piping hot spin- and complain about it but they don’t Rosemary’s love of the Southwest classes at Eastern New Mexico Uni- ach burrito stuffed with black beans, follow through with a solution. But I mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and jack believe that the New Mexico Wilder- cheese (fantastic!). Elsie’s colorful ness Alliance is one group that stands café is also an outpost for Wilderness out above the rest. You guys have a lovers. defined solution to defeat the prob- lem: More Wilderness!” Elsie does not keep her love of wild lands to herself. She has been vocal Mackinnon and the Laughing supporter of the proposal to protect Lizard certainly see their fair share of the rugged lands of nearby Cabezon guests during this active season. Yet, to Country as Wilderness. She has let Mackinnon and her staff, it’s not only the Jemez Village Council know that about serving great, alternative food, the business community sees Wilder- it’s also about working to promote ness not only as necessary in its own Wilderness values in the great state of right, but also as a key ingredient in New Mexico. the economic picture of her scenic valley. (Mind you, tourism brings in Jemez Springs, so close to Albu- over 3.9 billion dollars a year to New querque, Los Alamos and Santa Fe is Mexico’s economy and produces more a terrific base for exploring the Jemez jobs than any other sector, surpassing Mountains, discovering ancient ruins, by far the oil and gas industry). mountain biking on forest roads, and fly fishing. In any season, there are “Having a business and mindset like endless opportunities for muscle- began during childhood visits to her versity in Roswell, and helps formu- ours,” Mackinnon says from the patio powered outdoor recreation. After uncle’s ranch in west Texas. She and late product lines for the Sierra Dove outside her café, “allows us to be avail- your outing, when you seek nourish- Gerald were feeling smothered by city Healing Center in Ruidoso. able to the community, and to pro- ment and a comfortable friendly place life. The vastness of the area around vide a place for public education.” In to relax, please stop by the Laughing Ruidoso drew them to a new home. The Herb Stop is located at 2117 Mackinnon’s mind, what’s lacking in Lizard. Say “hello” to Elsie MacK- They have been an active part of Sudderth, Gazebo Shopping Center, the movement to inspire and activate innon, a great friend of New Mex- Ruidoso’s economy and community in Ruidoso New Mexico. The phone the general public to care about Wil- ico’s wild places. Please remember ever since. number is 505-257-0333. Check derness, is, simply put, motivation. to patronize businesses that support out The Herb Stop web page at “Of course,” she adds as she looks out Wilderness. Vote for Wilderness with Rosemary and Gerald have been www.herbstop.com. Look for the over the Jemez valley, “education is your buying decisions. And try those very supportive of the work of the opening of a Santa Fe store this also very important. one-of-a-kind burritos. New Mexico Wilderness Alliance to winter.

Page 12 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 Mexican wolf reintroduction pro- gram, an 86-page report written by Mexican Gray Wolves Struggle four independent, non-governmental scientists. The principal author of the report was the world-renowned Paul to Survive Poachers and C. Paquet, Ph.D., of the University of Calgary in Canada. Dr. Paquet and Federal Mismanagement his colleagues recommended allowing wolves to roam outside the boundar- ies of the recovery area just like other by Michael J. Robinson, remove from the wild if they cross a case in point. Consisting of male wildlife are permitted, and address- Center for Biological Diversity over arbitrary lines on the map— wolf 166 (one of the first eleven ani- ing the problem of livestock carcasses. lines wolves can’t read. mals released at the beginning of the They warned that if reforms in the he number of radio- program in 1998) and his mate 592, At the time of their trapping, 509’s program do not take place, the popu- collared and monitored they were first trapped together in lation would likely decline. Mexican gray wolves mate was pregnant, but after she gave 2000 for leaving the recovery area; in in the wild declined birth in captivity her pups all died, captivity, 592 broke her leg trying to In the almost two and a half inter- to 24 animals at the possibly from stress due to the noise climb out of a chain link fence. After vening years, the Fish and Wildlife Tend of September in the latest itera- from a construction project near their veterinary care and her recovery, they Service has not heeded this warning tion of a familiar routine: The pop- cage. When the rest of the pack was were released in the Gila but immedi- and has not changed the ground rules ulation increases in the spring with re-released in New Mexico, they split ately split apart. of the program. The biologists’ dire new births, the U.S. Fish and Wild- apart (as has every other pack that has warnings are proving prescient. life Service (FWS) proclaims recovery suffered this routine). Wolf 509 wan- While separated, both animals sep- proceeding expeditiously, then the dered the length of the Gila National arately scavenged on dead cattle that The Mexican wolves, like their agency captures a pack or two (often Forest alone until he died right out- they did not kill. Wolf 166 fed on ancestors poisoned and trapped out with accompanying mortalities), and side of Silver City in late September a bull that had died in an area that of the U.S. and Mexico by the Fish and poachers slaughter more wolves. – perhaps of a bullet, perhaps from was supposed to be closed to graz- Wildlife Service, have proven savvy a car. Had he and his mate and pups ing (the second such case of trespass and wary of the dangers of humanity. Fourteen wolves are known to have been left alone in Arizona, where they cattle dying and habituating Mexican But the agency today uses technology been shot and three killed in hit-and- were not even preying on livestock or wolves to stock). In the case of both unavailable in its previous extermi- run incidents since the reintroduction otherwise causing any problems, he 166 and 592, the owners of the dead nation campaign to make the wolves began in March 1998. Other collared would likely be alive today. stock refused FWS requests and offers more vulnerable to capture: radio col- wolves have disappeared suspiciously to remove the carcasses to prevent lars. The wolves could likely survive and their fate is not the current level of poaching or they known. In Septem- could survive the current level of fed- ber, four additional eral control, but they cannot survive wolves were found both without endless supplementa- dead. Although the tion. The control program, and the causes have not been wolves’ legal designation as an “exper- reported, it is likely imental, non-essential” species which they will all be con- authorizes the control, were explicitly firmed as victims of intended to garner support from the illegal killings. livestock industry and prevent poach- ing. But no other endangered species Poaching is the has had as high a proportion of its second largest cause population killed by poachers. of declines in the population. Fish and WHAT YOU CAN DO: Wildlife Service “con- trol” actions are the Write the Fish and Wildlife Service greatest threat to the to request a rule change that would lobos. Nine wolves allow the wolves to roam outside of have died acciden- the recovery area boundaries and that tally due to cap- would require ranchers clean up their ture, one was shot dead livestock before wolves scavenge by FWS, and addi- on them. Send a copy of your letter tional dozens have to Senator Bingaman and Governor been removed and Richardson. either sentenced to life imprisonment or H. Dale Hall released after being Southwest Regional Director so traumatized that their chances for Other Mexican wolves have suf- habituation. Both then re-united and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 1306 survival diminish appreciably. fered similar fates due to another started killing cattle together. They provision of the special rule govern- were captured. He was sentenced to Albuquerque, NM 87103 Wolf 509, the patriarch of the Fran- ing their species: Unlike the recov- life imprisonment, and she was given Governor Bill Richardson cisco Pack, was the most recent such ery program for wolves in the north- a new mate and re-released this past State Capitol victim. The pack was trapped and ern Rocky Mountains, ranchers in the spring. After her re-release, she left Room 400 removed from the wild in Arizona Southwest are allowed to bait wolves her new mate, traveled around forty Santa Fe, NM 87501 this spring for leaving the boundaries with livestock carcasses. This leads to miles to the site where she found dead (505) 476-2200 of the Apache National Forest (which their habituation to eating stock, pre- cattle two years before, began killing Senator Jeff Bingaman along with the Gila N.F., constitutes cipitates their preying on live domes- cattle there and was shot dead by the 703 Hart Senate Office Bldg. the lobos’ official recovery area). The tic animals, and ultimately results in FWS. Washington, DC 20510 Mexican gray wolf is the only endan- their removal from the wild. (505) 346-6601 gered animal in the U.S. that the Fish In June 2001, FWS released the and Wildlife Service is required to The former Campbell Blue Pack is results of its three-year review of the

Page 14 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 by Jim Scarantino small navy flew Liberty Tree flags from its masts. The Liberty Tree uring the past two years, flew above men freezing at Valley we have seen patrio- Forge. tism exploited cyni- cally to justify attacks on The Culpepper Minutemen of Dthis nation’s natural heritage, includ- Virginia assembled under a large ing efforts to open our national for- oak tree. They adopted the tree ests to ruinous industrial activities. as their original symbol. We will We thought it appropriate, therefore, forever remember their motto: to trace the affinity of great Ameri- “Liberty or Death.” When the can patriots for the trees and forests unit reorganized itself before of this nation. the Civil War, its ranks mustered under the same mighty oak. It starts at the beginning, when the colonists threw off the yoke of the Theodore Roosevelt passion- English King and launched the Amer- ately loved trees. He quadru- ican democratic experiment. Massa- pled the acreage reserved in chusetts Minutemen adopted the pine national forests. He created 18 tree as their banner to symbolize the Wildlife Refuges and took other virtues of hardiness and fortitude. steps to protect 230 million acres Many tree flags were raised on the rev- of America’s woods, mountains, des- recently retired from law enforcement, Last, we submit the example of Joyce olutionary side at Bunker Hill. erts, and prairies. He was particularly who adores the ponderosas—“the old Kilmer. He volunteered for combat fond of sequoias. He declared one of yellowbellies,” he calls them—of the in World War I and saw some of the The Sons of Liberty rallied in his 51 National Monuments to honor Gila backcountry. He fought in Viet- bloodiest struggles in France. One of Boston under a large elm which and protect them. He camped among nam. One time, he tells us, he was cut the few wilderness areas in the East- became known throughout the colo- these giants with John Muir and wrote off from his company and stranded ern United States bears his name. You nies as “The Liberty Tree.” Under this afterwards of the experience, “It was alone in a fox hole for several days. know his most popular work. This is tree patriots read aloud their state- like lying in a great solemn cathedral To keep his calm, he forced himself to a patriot speaking: ments of resistance to tyranny. This far vaster and more beautiful than any think of getting back to the pondero- elm became a symbol of American built by the hand of man.” sas parks on the shoulders of Mogol- independence. George Washington’s We have a friend in Grant County, lon Baldy. He made it.

Trees By Joyce Kilmer Joyce Kilmer: Poet, Tree Lover, Hero I think that I shall never see by Jim Scarantino A poem as lovely as a tree.

oyce Kilmer was born in New a wife and children. He would not his comrades were at risk. On July A tree whose hungry Brunswick, New Jersey in 1886. have been required to serve. Never- 30th 1918, during the battle of the mouth is prest He was educated at Columbia theless he enlisted as a private in the Ourcq, a sniper’s bullet ended the sol- New York National Guard. At this Against the earth’s sweet University, graduating in 1908. dier-poet’s life. He died, at 31 years of flowing breast; JIn 1913 he became a member of the time he was considered the premiere age, facing the enemy. staff of “The New York Times.” When American Catholic poet alive and was A tree that looks to the U.S. declared war on Germany in also recognized for his poetry about Joyce Kilmer was awarded the God all day, 1917, Kilmer was a family man with common, beautiful things in nature. French Croix de Guerre for bravery. And lifts her leafy arms When he arrived The Army’s Camp Kilmer in New to pray; in Europe, Joyce Jersey, which handled more than 2.5 Kilmer quickly million troops during WWII, was A tree that may in attained the rank named in his honor. summer wear of Sergeant and was attached to the Later, Veterans of the Foreign Wars A nest of robbins in her hair; Regimental Intel- asked the government to set aside a fitting stand of trees to serve as a Upon whose bosom snow ligence staff as an has lain; observer. He spent living memorial to Joyce Kilmer. An many nights on impressive remnant of virgin wilder- Who intimately lives patrol in no-man’s ness was chosen to honor this hero. A with rain. land gathering walk through Joyce Kilmer Memorial information which Forest (now part of the Joyce Kilmer - Poems are made by would be of tacti- Slickrock Wilderness) in North Caro- fools like me, cal importance. In lina is a journey back in time through a magnificent forest with towering But only God can make his position on the a tree. Regiment’s Intelli- trees as old as 400 years. This beau- gence staff, Kilmer tiful, unmarred and natural setting was the uncharted hunting ground of had no front line We rest our case. Patriots love trees. responsibilities the Cherokee Indians. Here there are during combat virgin trees that reach more than 100 operations, but he feet tall and 20 feet around the base. would not be kept out of action while

Page 14 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Is President George W. Bush a Reincarnation of Theodore Roosevelt? Hmm... Tough One. BULLY!by Jim DiPeso, Policy Director, REP America (Republicans for Environmental Protection) The White House Roosevelt Room The rumors are true, those of us who ued. “You have much to answer for. Theodore Roosevelt vanished into the was ready for President Bush’s meet- used to live here return occasionally to Despoliating Yellowstone National painting, his gaze fixed across time. ing. The furniture was dusted, the keep an eye on our successors. Cousin Park with those infernal snow-riding chairs set, and the podium was placed Franklin and I talk frequently about machines. Putting land grabbers in President Bush dismissed the to exacting tolerances by the public foreign policy and would be happy to charge of our public lands. Weaken- meeting and exited silently from the relations team, ensuring that photog- share our ideas with you sometime,” ing the laws against noxious factory Roosevelt Room. raphers would catch the oil portrait the 26th president said. smoke. Allowing special interests to of Theodore Roosevelt’s countenance skin the land with mining wastes and peering over Bush’s shoulder. “But that is not why I am here oil drilling machines.” The Top Ten Reasons today,” TR continued. “I understand Why George W. Bush Will The meeting attendees rose as the you are holding a meeting about Bush went on the counterattack. Never Be Confused with “Whoa there, Teddy, we need the Theodore Roosevelt energy,” the president said. “This isn’t Compiled by NMWA Staff 1903 anymore.” #10 Teddy loved climbing mountains, “Rubbish!” Roosevelt replied rafting rivers and camping in America’s sharply. “It is patently obvious that untouched wilderness. you never read any of my writings • George hasn’t even climbed the highest about national efficiency. In Ought point in Texas. Nine, I told Congress that conserva- tion of our resources is the funda- #9 Teddy wrote many important and well-respected books on wilderness, mental question before this nation, nature, military strategy and history. and that our first and greatest task is • George’s autobiography to set our house in order and begin was ghostwritten. to live within our means. Yet that vice president of yours refuses to take effi- #8 Teddy established 5 National Parks, ciency seriously.” 51 National Wildlife Refuges and 18 National Monuments, including Chaco Bush countered again. “Look, Teddy, Canyon, Gila Cliff Dwellings and El Morro. with all due respect, you have us all • George did a photo op one time wrong. We’re for common sense and at the Grand Canyon. president entered. “Good morning, public lands policy. I have come to sound science. We want balance. We’re please be seated,” Bush said. “Thanks offer - how do you 21st century people for healthy forests and clear skies. And #7 Teddy protected 130 million acres of for attending this important meeting say it - my input. Baffling, what you we’ll deliver on all our promises, every national forests for Americans to enjoy. about public lands policy. Our goal people have done to the English lan- Friday afternoon, at 5 p.m. sharp. And • George opened millions of acres of public this morning is to-” guage,” TR muttered. “But never mind on holidays too!” land for his oil and gas buddies to enjoy. that,” Roosevelt said, his voice rising “Excuse me!” exclaimed a clipped, and biting off each syllable. “I am here Roosevelt shook his head slightly #6 Teddy hung out with the Rough high-pitched voice with a Harvard to protest your administration’s dis- and let out his breath. “Well, I must Riders and John Muir. accent. “Mr. President, I must have a graceful treatment of national forests, return across the veil. I leave you with • George hangs out with anyone who word with you!” parks and other lands that belong to this: We Republicans were the original can kick in $100,000 or more. all Americans, those alive today and conservationists. Bush looked around the room, #5 Teddy treasured Yellowstone. scowling at the insolence. “Who just those unborn. That is my legacy you • George let the snowmobile industry are tampering with!” “Poor Herbert Hoover, got flum- spoke to me?” he asked with annoy- moxed by the Depression, but he back into Yellowstone. (see #6) ance. Taken aback by the oratorical expanded our national park system. #4 Teddy despised “Nature Fakers” “It was I. No, not over there, look onslaught, Bush affected his best General Eisenhower turned a won- • George’s “Nature Faker” projects: “clear over here - at the painting. That’s palsy-walsy manner. “Look, Teddy, I derful Arctic landscape into a wildlife skies” and “healthy forest” initiatives. right. You do know who I am?” the admire you a lot. You and I have a lot refuge. Those refuges were my idea, by (see #6 again) visage of Theodore Roosevelt asked in common. I’m a real believer in that the way, created the first one back in upon exiting the painting and landing big stick stuff you used to talk about. Ought Three. Richard Nixon got the #3 Teddy was fiercely patriotic. in three-dimensional glory near his We both ran cattle ranches. We both Clean Air Act passed. Mr. Nixon is a • George has entertained proposals to sell national parks, battlefields and stupefied 21st century successor. The love visiting national parks and---” rather odd character, but I do try to say hello to him when we cross paths. monuments to foreign investors. meeting attendees stared speechlessly “Yes, yes, I know a thing or two at the translucent figure standing a about wilderness,” Roosevelt replied “So, Mr. 43rd President, that is the #2 Teddy viewed conservation as an yard away from President Bush. impatiently. “Went camping at Yosem- legacy in your charge. The people imperative of national policy. ite with Muir in the spring of Ought want public lands well managed for • George’s VP ridicules conservation as “What the? What’s going on?” Bush just “an admirable personal virtue” demanded. “Karl, get Tom Ridge on Three. Woke up atop Glacier Point the future, not squandered to pla- the phone and tell him--” with my camp covered with snow. cate special interests. As an American It was bully fun, you ought to try it patriot, I ask you to be a good steward And the #1 Reason George W. Bush Will Never, Ever Be Confused With Theodore sometime without a lot of bothersome of the legacy and, if I may borrow one But Roosevelt cut him off. “Calm Roosevelt: down, Mr. President, I shan’t bite reporters around,” TR reminisced. of your 21st century phrases, try not Theodore Roosevelt was twice elected you,” Roosevelt interjected. “I know to screw it up.” by large, popular majorities. my appearance is rather irregular. “But let us not avoid the issue at hand, my friend,” Roosevelt contin- With that, the translucent figure of

Page 16 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 Wildlands Painted! Art Show a

Big Hit for Artists, NMWA Upcoming Event

MICHELLE CHRISMAN by Tisha Broska, NMWA Staff were done en plein air, meaning on site An Eye For Design Friday, Nov. 28, 5-8pm Joe Adair Wildlands Painted! opened October 3rd in the open air. The artists captured these ART IS OK GALLERY 3301 Menaul Blvd. NE with a VIP Reception at the Harwood Art varied landscapes in styles ranging from Southern Wine and Spirits of New modern abstract to more classical Taos Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87107 Center in Albuquerque. Over 80 paint- (505) 883-7368 ings by 14 different artists were displayed School oils. Richard’s Mexican Restaurant for sale to benefit the New Mexico Wil- Thirty-three paintings sold during the La Montanita Co-op Michelle is donating derness Alliance. Celtic melodies played 10% of all her sales to NMWA. 2-day Albuquerque show! So the artists Whole Foods Market on harp and dulcimer, (thanks to former are eager to get back out and paint more NMWA staff member Kathy Wimmer and of New Mexico’s wild landscapes. Wild Oats Natural Marketplace friend George Miles,) and a slideshow of New Mexico’s wild landscapes completed We plan to continue the Wildlands Painted! project as an on-going fund- Thank you, the evening. raising event. We will soon be taking this Participating Over 100 people attended the Wild- group of artists to another of New Mexi- Artists! lands Painted! Reception. The show co’s endangered wild lands to capture our remained open to the public through beautiful landscapes on canvas. Look for Jane Bunegar a special showing of miniature paintings Saturday October 4th before moving on Michelle Chrisman at the annual NMWA Holiday Party and to the Brody and White Fine Arts Gallery Steve DeOrio th our house parties throughout 2004. in Taos from October 10-25 . The show Jane Ford moves to the Abend Gallery in Denver in We would like to thank our sponsors of Sharon Holsapple March 2004. the Wildlands Painted! project for making Evelyn Martinez this event a success: Artists calling themselves the Denver10 Melinda Morrison teamed up with three artists from New The Harwood Art Center Marcy Nichols Mexico and one other guest artist from Ink Media Group, Public Relations Peggy Venable Colorado. They depicted three areas Cassandra Cole the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance has Doublin’ Musicians Kathy Wimmer and George Miles been working to protect permanently Libby Hart as Wilderness. The Rio Grande Gorge, Jack Loefler Chris Morel Writer and Radio Producer Ojito and Columbine Hondo proved to Randy Pijoan be magnificent subjects. All the pieces John Green Green Media Don Ward

ove of the incomparable Roosevelt saw in our vast, untram- nurtured his thinking. He considered ever, and increasing every day. Wil- American landscape moti- meled landscape something superior, New Mexico’s landscape “close to the derness, as Leopold said, is a resource vated the great men and inspiring and profound. cream of creation.” The beauty of New which can only shrink, and never grow. women who launched the Mexico touched and inspired him. It Once it is lost, it is lost forever. L effort in the 19th century to Something worth fighting to save. helped give his writing power, grace conserve our nation’s ever-diminishing and poetry. It motivated him to act. In The paintings in the Wildlands Out of love of the land, out of pure Painted! exhibition highlight three wilderness. Well before the science of sensations of awe, wonder, reverence 1926, as the result of his eloquence and conservation biology was conceived, tireless efforts, the world’s first pro- diverse areas the New Mexico Wil- and joy, the wilderness movement was derness Alliance is working to pro- born. tected wilderness was created in the Gila National Forest. tect for posterity: the Ojito, north- The great think- west of Albuquerque, which has been ers of Wilderness Generations of New Mexicans have described as a “badlands art gallery”; came later. The worked together to protect this won- the classic Rocky Mountain splendor greatest of them derful place we call home. We are of the Columbine-Hondo area outside all, Aldo Leop- fortunate to have some of the finest Taos; and the dramatic basaltic canyon old, once lived in and wildest lands in America. From carved by the Rio Grande as it moves the quiet ponderosa halls of prime- south out of Colorado. val McKenna Park deep in the Gila before concepts like “bio-diversity” country, to the eerie badlands of the We cannot adequately express our had ever been birthed, Americans were Bisti, the alpine peaks in Latir, Wheeler thanks to these artists for giving their moved to protect wild lands because and the Sangre de Cristos, the rugged, talent and time to this effort. Love they treasured their beauty and remote terrain of the Apache Kid, the for the beauty of Nature does not mourned their constant loss. desert vastness of Otero Mesa, and the expire with the passage of time. It much loved slopes of the Sandias, New is as vibrant and vital now as it ever Europe had its cathedrals, its opulent Mexicans have much to celebrate and was. With brush and easel these art- boulevards, and its stunning archi- enjoy. ists have captured the beauty of the tecture, but it had nothing to com- Wild with the same eloquence as Aldo pare with the American wilderness. But only a small fraction—2.2% of Leopold employed timeless words to At a time when the American psyche New Mexico’s surface—is protected as inspire generations to protect Ameri- was struggling to overcome an inferi- downtown Albuquerque. His time in Wilderness. We have so much more to ca’s threatened landscapes. ority complex, leaders like Theodore the hills and canyons of New Mexico do. The threats are greater now than

Page 16 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 not last long. With each year came human beings. These areas link us new driveways leading up to new, to our natural heritage and give us a fancy houses. Each year the road place where we can admire and study leading to our driveway got better and natural surroundings, or simply enjoy better. Each year we had to be more a moment’s solitude and escape from and more careful to avoid our new the fast paced, high stress city life. We neighbors’ private property. can take our children to these wonder- ful places and teach them respect for I am older now, and living in the the environment and the importance city. I still visit my parents’ home fre- On Summer Saturdays my brother of each and every species we are lucky by Tracy Carroll quently. The road is paved. The once and I would wake early and trek over to find. Most of all, with wilderness wild lands are dotted with houses. y parents moved us into to our neighbors to fetch Lonnie, a designation comes a guarantee that Whenever I get the chance I head up a mobile home on a boy close to our age. We would each these designated lands will remain the mountain across the street, careful small piece of land nine stuff a pack full of water, lunch, and untouched and will be there for gen- to follow fence lines to avoid landing miles south of Tijeras. our toy weapons and head up the erations to come. M in someone’s backyard. Dogs howl That was 1983 and I was five years mountain across the street from our and yelp at my presence. There are no old. Our few neighbors were scattered house. We frequently spotted dear, deer. There is no scat. I haven’t seen a about the canyon, often separated by and tracks or scat of other shy ani- horned lizard in years. great distances. The county wouldn’t mals such as bear, mountain lion, or plow or gravel the dirt road leading to coyote. We would almost always spot Growing up in the mountains our home because so few people used a horned lizard. We were quick to helped mold the person I am today. it. The weather was rough, our vehi- catch them. We always replaced the For thirteen years I watched the wild cles would get stuck in the mud, the lizards exactly where we found them lands around my home slowly disap- lands were wild, and I thought life was because our Uncle John always told us pearing. This sad story can be told absolutely great. if we removed a lizard from its terri- about all too many places all over the tory it would probably die. United States. As population grows and sprawl continues to gobble up the Our days were filled with adven- wild lands outside our cities, wildlife tures. We were free to run and play suffers and is driven out. and explore for miles and miles with- out worries of running into any- I believe designated wilderness areas one’s backyard. My deep respect for are more crucial than ever. They are nature started to bloom when I was the few remaining places that many about seven. Curiosity drove me to species can safely consider home. I take long walks through the woods, strongly support efforts for protecting picking up and inspecting whatever I New Mexico’s open spaces, including could. I learned quickly to appreciate protecting Otero Mesa from oil and each component of my surroundings gas development. Places like Otero and knew, even as a small child, that Mesa are essential for protecting the when I grew up I wanted to work in amazing biodiversity of New Mexico. the outdoors. Wilderness areas are not only These wide-open playing spaces did important for wildlife, but also for

Annual Membership Meeting 5:00 to 6:00 PM on December 6th at the home of Dave Foreman and Nancy Morton. The Annual Holiday Party is on December 13th from 7 to 9 pm at the home of Dave Foreman and Nancy Morton. Please call the NMWA office 505/843.8696 for directions or more information.

Page 18 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 and not the area around Lake Tahoe?” teering for Earth First!, Nancy moved The answer she received provided to Albuquerque with her husband, Nancy Morton: a her incentive to become a Wilderness Dave Foreman, and helped establish activist for life: “It doesn’t happen; the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. people have to make it happen.” Lifetime of Caring Nancy recognizes the challenges that Nancy became involved with the we face today in trying to protect Wil- for People and North State Wilderness Committee derness in New Mexico. Many of these where she began fighting to protect the same challenges were present back in Ishi Wilderness and the Chips Creek the 1970s during her fight to protect for Wilderness Roadless Area in California. Nancy the Ishi Wilderness. Nancy feels that by Tisha Broska, NMWA Staff high school. While backpacking in later volunteered for the Butte Envi- perseverance, solid research, grassroots the Desolation Wilderness, she came ronmental Council, also in Califor- support (as well as National backing) “Wilderness activism is just payback to a breathtaking view atop the Sierras nia. She then became involved with and the willingness to find common for all the natural world has given me,” looking down upon Lake Tahoe. From the Sierra Club, where she led local cause with local land owners are the says Nancy Morton, explaining her critical steps to achieving Wilderness life long commitment to protect- designation. ing America’s wild lands. When not fighting for Wilderness, Nancy Nancy has found in Wilderness the teaches nursing students at the Uni- rejuvenation she needs to take on the versity of New Mexico how to care hard, serious work of nursing. Nancy for the sick and injured. Nancy’s recently returned from a long canoe motivation to be a nurse parallels trip on the Thelon River in North- her motives to protect the Earth. ern British Columbia. She is an avid Both commitments are simply river runner. The thoroughness in her about doing what is right. preparation for these trips, and the astounding gourmet meals she serves Nancy is a founding member of in the middle of nowhere, have become the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- legend among friends and river mates. ance and has served on the Board of Directors as the Secretary since Nancy will be leaving the Board of the organization’s inception. She Directors in December to focus on has worked as a nurse for over 28 her nursing work at UNM. She plans years, mostly in critical care, before to return to the Alliance when she recently beginning her teaching has more time to help foster volun- career at the University of New teer activism. We cannot wait for the Mexico. day when we have her all to ourselves. Nancy’s selfless dedication to serving Nancy grew up camping and this viewpoint she saw a lot of new and national outings. Nancy quickly Wilderness and mankind are an inspi- backpacking with her family in Cal- development occurring in Lake Tahoe. learned how important outings are to ration for all of us. Thank you, Nancy, ifornia. Her first understanding of Nancy wondered, “What happens that enlist more allies in the cause to protect for all you have done with your talent, what a Wilderness activist is came in protects this area from development Wilderness. After a period of volun- energy and wisdom.

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 insure that future generations may enjoy them too.

YES! I want to be a member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!!! My contribution will go Mail your towards the continued protection and wilderness designation of New Mexico’s natural heritage. Tax Deductable q$20 – Individual q$100 – Contributing qOther $______Donations to: q$25 – Family q$250 – Lifetime q$50 – Supporting q$10 – Student/Senior New Mexico Name ______Phone______Wilderness Alliance Street ______E-mail______PO Box 25464 City, State, Zip ______Albuquerque, NM 87125-0464 £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard Questions? Card# ______Expiration Date: ______505/843-8696 Signature: ______

Page 18 Winter 2003 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 Crown Fire in the Aldo Leopold by Jim Scarantino

You can reach her at 505-527-9962 or Upcoming Hikes [email protected]. for the Greater Big White Gap, Sierra de las Uvas – Albuquerque Area December 13th Hikes leave from our office at Cen- We’ll be hiking along old jeep trails tral and Broadway at 7:30am and we’ll on this 7-mile moderately strenuous figure out the car pool situation at that hike. Expect about 550 feet of elevation time (if you’re willing to drive, it is gain. The Sierra de las Uvas are located greatly appreciated). We’ll have you 30 miles north of Las Cruces, and offer back to our office by 6:30pm. We’ll great views of the Black Range the be hitting relatively lower elevations as northwest and the San Andres moun- we head into winter and will make our tains to the east. way upward as summer comes back around. Bring your own water, snacks, Mount Riley – January 17, 2004 and lunch, and be prepared for all types We offer two choices on this trip. You of weather. Call Nathan Newcomer at can opt for the strenuous 7-mile climb Fire feeds fire, Flare, tear, crack and blast. the ABQ office at 843-8696 for more of about 1600 feet elevation gain to the Breeds fire, Grim comfort of ashes, info. summit or you can explore the inter- And eats its young. The charnel wood passes November 22 – El Malpais region esting vegetation and geology around Through black. And back. south of Grants. the base. Those who climb to the top will be rewarded with excellent views January 24, 2004 – Ojito, northwest of the surrounding desert and ranges. All tithe unto the flaming feast. A Year, of ABQ Mt. Riley is about 32 miles southwest Mountains kiss the beast: Two, of Las Cruces and belongs to the Potri- A suicide pact rapt Ten: February 21, 2004 – The Quebradas llo Mountain group. In a pitiless shawl From death life rends region east of Socorro Its birth, So keen to kill. Achenback Canyon – February 2, 2004 and sears the grey slopes green. Upcoming Hikes This is a delightful, moderately dif- for Southern ficult 4-mile hike very close to Las New Mexico Region Cruces. We will walk among may types of vegetation and rock forma- New Mexico WILD! design & art direction by: Contact Greta Balderrama in tions while enjoying beautiful views to ��� ����� NMWA’s Las Cruces office for infor- the west. ������� �������� mation on all the following hikes, ������������ imagination including how to get there and back. � is empowerment. ����������� �� �� ������������

�������������������Joe��� Adair - 505.319-3754 • [email protected] so, what’s

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