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places such as Otero Mesa and the Arctic are Notes from the destroyed. I believe the answer will be no. I also think people need to view the politi- Executive Director cal landscape in two-year rather than four year cycles. Change or increased political support for the environment may only be two years away. With the fi nal results of the election now com- In the interim, those politicians who care must plete, many of us are recovering from a very be willing to fi libuster, introduce pro-environ- bad post-election hangover. The news on elec- mental legislation, defend existing legislation tion night was not all bad: there were very pos- and take tough stands to preserve our wildest itive results in Colorado and Montana, both in landscapes. initiatives and elected positions for pro-envi- ronment candidates. But on the whole, it was a Finally, although we may view the next few dark evening for the environment. In writing this years as tough environmental times, I think we newsletter introduction, my natural inclination is may ultimately remember them as extraordi- to be very positive and say something like “we nary times. I expect to see the best in people can win this”, but I think the best thing I can do as we fi ght on the front lines together to make is level with all of you about what to expect. sure the value we call wilderness is preserved. One thing is clear–the dedicated staff of the New Between the slow economy and the sputtering Mexico Wilderness Alliance is ready to fi ght for stock market, funding for conservation organi- our wildest public lands, now more than ever. zations is down considerably, at the very time it should be at its strongest. Pres- ident Bush, emboldened by the election results, remains (along with our Senior Sen- ator,) determined to give oil and gas, nuclear and coal industries preference over our public lands and future gener- ations. They are in a power- ful position to pass legislation that gives billions to special interests and could have seri- ous impacts on wild places like Otero Mesa, Valle Vidal and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The American people have cast their votes and no matter what the reasons, the environment will likely pay a price. The real ques- tion is whether or not Ameri- cans will stand by while wild Attention Business Owners: 4 ORVs Big Threat to NM’s Wild Places 5 Middle Fork Lake Advertise with us 6 Protecting the Organ Mountains 7 Protegiendo las Montanas de los Organos The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance 8 Paradise Lost is looking for a few choice advertisers 8 Oil and Gas Leases Threaten Wilderness to help us offset the cost of production 9 El Tigre! The Jaguar of the Borderlands of this newsletter. You’ll reach 50,000 9 Peloncillo Mountains readers statewide that care about New Mexico the same way you do and help 10 Get Involved us protect our our vanishing wildlands. 13 Otero Mesa 14 2004 Wilderness Conference, Abbey Event Call Tripp Killin at 505-843-8696 x111 new mexico 15 Hike today for more information. 16 Businesses for Wilderness 17 Campaign Updates WILD! 18 Young Voices You CAN make a difference! Fall 2004 19 Remembering Mary Wiper New Mexico WILD! Page 3 roadless character. With Richard Pombo (R) of California now the head of the House Energy and Nat- ural Resources Committee and a close friend of our newly reelected Congressman Steve Pearce, wilder- ness and the protection of Endan- gered Species have become a nui- Main Offi ce sance and a delay to drilling, mining 505/843-8696 • fax 505/843-8697 [email protected] • www.nmwild.org and logging in the West. In addi- P.O. Box 25464 tion, there appears to be a coordi- Albuquerque, NM 87125 nated effort to select roadless lands 202 Central Avenue, SE • Suite 101 Albuquerque, NM 87102 for oil and gas development as a Las Cruces Field Offi ce means of eliminating their future 275 N. Downtown Mall wilderness potential. Las Cruces, NM 88001 505/527-9962 Just what will the next four years Mission Statement of a Bush Administration mean The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is dedicated to the protection, restoration, for New Mexico’s wildest public and continued enjoyment of New lands, and for that matter Ameri- Mexico’s wild lands and Wilderness areas. ca’s? While no one knows for sure, NMWA Staff it seems safe to say that the Pres- Las Cruces Offi ce Trisha London, Grassroots Organizer ident is unlikely to become envi- Alberto Zavala, Grassroots Organizer ronmentally progressive any time Albuquerque Offi ce soon. Given the Administration’s Tisha Broska, Membership Coordinator Stephen Capra, Executive Director election track record of the past four years Tripp Killin, Development Coordinator here are some potential threats: Nathan Newcomer, Grassroots Organizer Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager Michael Scialdone, Director of Wilderness First of all, look for the Arctic Protection National Wildlife Refuge to be Board of Directors night blues Wes Leonard, Chair, El Paso, TX placed on the block. Going for one Tom Mouck, Treasurer, Albuquerque, NM by Stephen Capra of America’s most cherished land- Tom Wootten, Secretary, Cortaro, AZ Pam Eaton, Denver, CO It was a strange and foreboding change the direction of Agencies scapes fi rst will be the means to fl ex the most muscle and reward Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM feeling on election night. For the that had developed more of a con- Kathy Love, Albuquerque, NM past four years conservation groups servation ethic under the Clinton their base. It is also designed to Carlos Provencio, Bayard, NM break the spirit of the conservation Melissa Savage, Santa Fe, NM across the West have been making Administration. On his fi rst day Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM community. With new majorities in Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM the case for protecting our wildest in offi ce in 2001, President Bush Rick Wiedenmann, Carlsbad, NM remaining public lands. Through suspended the implementation of the House and Senate, this is likely to occur without a massive outcry Newsletter Staff extensive media, grassroots orga- the roadless rule. In the ensuing Tisha Broska, Managing Editor nizing and public education it years as the positions were fi lled, from other Representatives. That Joe Adair, Design Editor James Broska, Copy Editor seemed clear that the environment a radical level of oil, gas and coal is unless they hear in a loud and would have a say in this election. bed methane extraction began to determined voice that they have The Artists Cover by J. Adair, P5 photos by M. Scialdone, But in the end, a majority of Amer- spread like cancer across our public no mandate to destroy our public lands. New Mexico’s senior Sena- P6 photo by G. Magee, P9 photo by G. Magee, icans seemed unconcerned about lands. Names like the Red Desert, P13 photo by S. Capra and P14 photos by M. the environment, even though the Rocky Mountain Front and tor Pete Domenici will play a major Scialdone, P15 Graphic E. Cantor. role in pushing this legislation, one issues of morality seemed to be the Otero Mesa became the faces of Wilderness determining factor in this election. this mindless development. As oil that will most certainly include a companies pushed the Administra- heavy emphasis on oil and gas, The Wilderness Act of 1964 estab- lished the National Wilderness So as the night wore on the pic- tion for access, the Administration coal and nuclear energy. ture became clearer. Our time in Preservation System to preserve pushed the agencies to get these Here in New Mexico, it seems the last remaining wild lands in the next few years would not likely places opened; the pattern was set America. The Wilderness Act, as be the string of legislative protec- likely that Otero Mesa will be the and the battle lines drawn. fi rst place to feel the newly embold- federal policy, secures “an endur- tions for our wildest public lands ing resource of wilderness” for the we had envisioned. Gone also was With his reelection, the President ened Administration’s lust for short- people. Wilderness is defi ned as the chance to stop saying “the sky is in an even more powerful posi- term domestic energy production. an area that has primarily been is falling,” and work to get perma- tion, both self-perceived and real. The fi nal Record of Decision will affected by the forces of nature with the imprint of humans sub- nent protection for Otero Mesa, With his staff in place, the delays likely be out by the time this goes to press. Yates Petroleum and HEYCO, stantially unnoticeable. It is an area Valle Vidal and so many places of of his fi rst term are gone. Many that offers outstanding opportu- value to those of us who call the Environmental Impact Statements both large contributors to the Bush nity for solitude or a primitive or West home. No, the reality of elec- have been written or are close to White House, will move quickly unconfi ned type of recreation, and tion 2004 was that we will, like fi nal decisions. The reeducation to drill more wells and begin con- an area that contains ecological, geological, or other features of sci- never before, have to fi ght to save of the agencies is complete and, struction of a pipeline from Texas into the heart of this wild grassland. entifi c, educational, scenic, or his- and maintain our way of life in the even though the oil companies cur- torical value. West. But underscore with yourself rently have thousands of leases However, litigation will slow and for and friends that hope is alive and they cannot begin to drill, they will a time stop their plans to move for- well. Our determination and hard push for thousands more to ensure ward. Citizen action including non- work as citizens of the West will another generation of drilling. Per- violent protests and the distribution continue to keep the oil companies haps more insidious is the link of over 500 videos statewide on and other polluters at bay, even in between new leases and roadless Otero Mesa will be used to garner these uncertain times. lands. With increasing frequency 250,000 letters to President Bush across the West, agencies are leas- to stop this potential drilling. (See Thank you, WILD OATS, for your support! Four years ago, when George p. 13 to see how you can receive New Mexico WILD! is available at all ing lands that up to now have been WILD OATS stores in Albuquerque. Bush became President, he moved off-limits or respected for their quickly to fi ll key positions and continued next page

New Mexico WILD! Page 3 be banded about and many Amer- a Senate or Congress to balance icas will be fooled into thinking the the President’s positions and with legislation is positive, while in real- the courts being stacked with con- election night blues ity it will continue to be written and servative judges we are faced with from page 3 promoted by big industry. a serious need to have citizens edu- cated, motivated and activated. The news does not look very one to show to other concerned cit- eral public lands. The Roadless promising. Perhaps we will be sur- The night of the election and the izens). Rule will likely be gutted. With prised and President Bush will, as following day, there was a sense Mark Rey still a key player deal- he has stated, “govern from the of stunned disappointment, for Valle Vidal, this northern New ing with Forest Service issues, middle.” But his track record does wildlife and wild places. But per- Mexico treasure, is in the beginning there will be little room for com- not indicate such potential. Closer haps most disappointing was the stages of a process to turn impor- promise. Changes in current rules to home, the reelection of Con- fact that so many Americas turned tant elk habitat and a once in a life- could make it easier for off-road gressman Steve Pearce was a seri- their back on our wild heritage. In time hunting opportunities into a vehicles, snowmobiles and other ous blow to our hopes for con- essence, people chose to ignore massive coal bed methane devel- forms of mechanized travel to have servation sanity in New Mexico. their responsibility to future gener- opment. El Paso Natural Gas is increased access to roadless lands. Congressman Pearce will continue ations and said “it’s not a priority.” the company moving most aggres- Look also for attacks on the Endan- his assault on the Endangered Spe- At least, it appears, that’s the view sively to get the Valle Vidal opened. cies Act and wilderness in general. from the Lazy-z-Boy seats in Ohio. He will also be a strong supporter But today’s reality is that we must of domestic oil and gas develop- force conservation issues like never ment. But what poses a greater before. We must speak out for wil- threat is the Congressman’sCongressman’s convic- derness and wildlife across our tion that federal public lands should state and across the West. We must be sold off to private interests. This make clear to the Bush Administra- is something to watch closelyclosely.. With tion and our own Senator Domenici our country facing serious budget that the only mandate they have on shortfalls and the economy fairly the environment is a mandate to stagnant, the potential is there for protect it. “...Otero Mesa will be the Bush Administration to begin the fi rst place to feel using the defi cit cit as as a areason reason for for sell- sell- In the days, weeks and months ing off our public lands. ahead our shared responsibility is the newly emboldened to fi ght hard for the places we love; Administrations lust for Whether you felt election night the time for grieving is over. The was tough or positive, it seems time for action is now. Engrave domestic energy.” clear that if you care about wild- their names on your psyche, for lands and wildlife, the coming years they are our wildest unprotected This company was responsible for gered Species Act and attempts to will be a serious challenge. But it is lands- the Arctic National Wildlife the pipeline explosion that killed rewrite this landmark piece of Leg- also a time to really let your voice Refuge, Otero Mesa, Valle Vidal, the 11 people in Carlsbad in 2001, and islation. Keeping with recent pat- be heard! Using plain language, Red Desert, and the Rocky Moun- was also indicted in the California terns, it seems clear that Chair- religion and bravado the President tain Front. Whether we like it or energy crisis that same year. man Pombo will continue to slow is likely to push an agenda that is not, fate has put their responsibility and stall the creation of new wil- disheartening, unsustainable and in our hands. We have no choice. Another element constantly in mean-spirited on the environment. derness bills. It may even be con- We must win. play will be aggressive moves by ceivable that he will look to put a It is frustrating from my position public land agencies (the result of cap on the total amount of acres in to again speak in terms of “doom pressure by this Administration) the Wilderness Act. Clean air and and gloom.” But being as “plain to relax rules and regulations gov- water legislation with bogus titles spoken” as I can be, these appear erning millions of acres of fed- like the “Clear Skies Initiative” will to be the toughest of times. Without

user is nothing more than a back- in check. There is a large indus- drop to the ride itself. It is like going try that has a vested interested in ORVs Big Threat to NM’s Wild Places to a gourmet restaurant and order- making sure their machines are by Michael Scialdone ing a burger. sold. Fortunately, public lands mean public processes to deter- As can be seen from the grow- country what others are there to Next to oil and gas development, mine their management - make ing number of scars around New avoid. Despite their exponential NMWA sees ORV’s as the greatest your voice heard. Mexico, Off Road Vehicle (ORV) rise, ORVs are still the minority user threat to New Mexico’s wild places use has exploded in recent years. of public lands, while requiring the and is working in many ways to Nationally, ORV registration was at greatest level of management. This help alleviate the problem such as 5 million in 1972. It is now up to creates extraordinary challenges at route closures (as written about in 36 million. Very well designed to a time when agency budgets are our last newsletter) and working tear things up, ORVs are harming shrinking, law enforcement offi - with land management agencies TAKE public lands and Wilderness areas cers are few and enforceable laws to develop sensible and enforce- in many ways - habitat destruction; are lacking. able travel management plans. The ACTION! soil erosion; degradation to wet- most important part of these efforts lands, meadows, and water qual- ORV users often choose very is participation from concerned ity; and damage to cultural and scenic places to ride. Most who people like you. Being part of res- See Page 12 historic sites. Confl icts involving enjoy non-motorized outdoor activ- toration projects and writing let- ORVs are rising even when ORV ities don’t understand getting out to ters to land management agencies For Details. users are doing what is legal, man- beautiful places and surrounding to make clear the interests of non- aged, and planned for. Their noise yourself with noise and fumes. This motorized users goes a long way and fumes are bringing to the back- is because the scenery for the ORV towards keeping the ORV problem

Page 4 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 measure the depth of erosion with one of us holding yard- sticks and the other taking photos. The yardstick is often gettingout shorter than the erosion being mea- sured! When some there hikers look strangely at what we are doing, I explain that Middle Fork Lake we are documenting Enjoy an Alpine Treasure While it is Closed to ATVs the damage from ATVs. They reply that hiking the trail by Michael Scialdone is far better without For decades, Middle Fork was a place most. them. where motorized and non-motorized users could share a beautiful place. The At the trailhead, we grab packs The road itself is recent rise in ATV use has caused severe and head up. We all have our spe- an incredible motor- erosion and, in June 2004, the Forest cial places in the world, our place ized challenge. Service closed the road to motorized to return for rejuvenation. For Ted, There are 21 very tight switchbacks course – cheap thrills for riders on traffi c because it had become a public Middle Fork Lake is his place and in two miles. The proper way for expensive machines. safety hazard. Ron Thibedeau, Questa his unbridled enthusiasm is con- on ORV to transverse this section tagious as we hike along the river is to proceed to a switchback, drive Further, since ATVs are designed District Ranger, has stated the closure is for one person (that’s what the ‘temporary’. with its ever-changing sounds, cas- in reverse to the next switchback, cades, and light refl ections. The then drive forward to the next, etc. safety stickers on them say any- It’s Labor Day Weekend and I’m river gently pulls us up to what I get chills as Ted describes this to ways,) it now takes four round trips having breakfast in Red River, NM. feels like a secret glacial lake that me. to Middle Fork Lake compared to Given its popularity with ORVs, Red invites quiet contemplation as the one in a jeep-like vehicle. The ride River is usually the last place I’d be ‘real world’ fades in to the back- After so many decades, how did is the main interest to many ATV- on such a busy weekend, but this ground. Ted enchants me with the erosion like this happen in such ers. If each does 3 round trips, year I have chosen to investigate story of his fi rst hike here, as he a short amount of time? ATVs then a group of 4 will use the road NM’s growing ORV problem by vis- watched waterfalls tumble off the changed the nature of the motor- twenty-four times more than a pas- iting people who are dealing with it cliffs behind the lake. ized visit. Previously, most enjoyed senger vehicle. This exponential fi rst hand. The previous day I was a slow, but exhilarating ride in a increase in use destroyed the road shown where ATVs are heading Though we’d love to do nothing jeep-like vehicle that usually ended and made it such a public safety in to the Pecos Wilderness. Here, more than soak in the beauty, there with a hike and picnic/camping at hazard that the Forest Service I’m joining Ted Wimberly for his is work to be done. Ted is compar- the lake. Conversely, ATV-ers often could no longer ignore it. What had second annual Labor Day report on ing the erosion and overall quality head up and down the road several been open to all for decades is now the Middle Fork Road. His home in of the road to what he found a year times in an afternoon. I joked with closed to motorized traffi c. the Upper Red River Valley is adja- ago before its closure. I’ve spent Ted that perhaps they are not sure 7 years documenting road condi- what to do when they reach the Ted has put two boys through col- cent to an ATV thoroughfare to the lege, but still has no trouble hiking Carson NF. He knows the nuisance tions, yet what we see truly sur- end of the road. prises me. At each hairpin turn we the trail. He has compassion for of this machine far better than ATVs are able those less mobile than he and part to make the tight of him would like to keep the road switchbacks with- open to motorized (but not ATV) out the forward/ traffi c. This would be nearly impos- reverse motion sible to enforce, and the severity of described above. the damage ATVs have done make This rounded them it almost a non-issue. In his report out and made Ted recommends that the Middle them more sus- Fork Road be closed permanently ceptible to erosion. to motorized vehicles. These rec- With their low- ommendations are counter to the pressure, spongy current Forest Service position on tires and compar- ORVs, but things can change even atively large shock in government agencies. absorbers, ATVs are basically a big For now, plan a trip to Middle spring that can Fork Trail when the snow pack is cover rough terrain low enough to keep away the ATV’s faster than pas- winter cousin, the snowmobile, senger vehicles. (which are still allowed,) and expe- With speed comes rience what Ted and I did where slipping tires and only the river broke the quiet and more erosion. The only the scent of earth and clean road transformed mountain air fi lled our lungs. into an ATV slalom

Page 4 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 campaign updates Protecting the Organ Mountains and Our Options for the Future–a Citizen’s Proposal by Trisha London ocated in eastern Dona Ana for the Organ Mountains. The NM their vigil over the living landscape grasses, ocotillo, yuccas, mesquite, County, about 10 miles east of Chapter of National Wildlife Feder- of the Chihuahuan desert, sending sumac, mountain mahogany, oaks, Las Cruces, is the most spec- ation and local sportsman groups life-giving storm runoff to the river pinyon, juniper, ponderosa pine tacular and dramatic scen- have endorsed the proposal. to the west, the magnifi cent Rio and over a dozen special-status Lery to be found in southern New Grande, via arroyos that cut across plant species including the night- Mexico, the Organ Mountains. Long In Las Cruces several groups rolling mesas. blooming cereus cactus and the having been a source of civic pride have been working for some time Organ Mountain evening primrose. for the people and communities of towards “open space protection” to As long as 7,000 years ago, pre- Dona Ana County, the mountains ward off sprawl, including the Cit- historic people left traces of their New Mexico still lags behind and lands immediately surround- izen’s Task Force for Open Space culture in rock shelters here, includ- other western states in the amount ing them have become threatened Preservation. These efforts have ing some of the earliest known cul- of land currently in Wilderness pro- by urban sprawl. The fact that the laid the groundwork for NMWA’s tivated corn in the US. Outstand- tection, with less than 3% currently Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposal. ing recreational opportunities in protected. currently identifi es much of the land the Organs include hiking, back- The Organs have considerable Although this citizen’s proposal adjacent to the mountains for dis- packing, horseback riding, birding, cultural, sociological, biological, rec- will focus on the lands that com- posal to developers has created nature photography and nationally reational and economic signifi cance. prise the Organ Mountains and sur- much concern for local residents. reknowned rock climbing. The pres- The mountain’s scenic resources rounding foothills, it will also build The BLM and the military admin- ence of several perennial springs alone are important to the vast on the foundation we have created ister the majority of this moun- makes the area critically important majority of Las Cruces residents, in southern New Mexico working on tain range and it’s adjacent lands. to wildlife including golden eagles, most of which are of the opin- wilderness issues and on our efforts Several BLM special management hawks, owls, mule deer, Monte- ion that they should be protected to protect areas across the state. areas afford the area some protec- zuma quail and mountain lions. and preserved. The Organ Moun- Strong support for protecting the tion. These include three Wilderness Study Areas: the Organ Mountains WSA, Organ Needles WSA, and Peña Blanca WSA. BLM also designated the Organ Mountains Scenic Area of Critical Environmental Con- cern (ACEC) and the Organ/ Franklin Mountains ACEC which are designed to pro- tect the biological, scenic, riparian, special status spe- cies and cultural values of the area. With the immedi- ate threats from sprawl and BLM land disposal, there’s an urgent need to imple- ment meaningful, long-term protection for this unique landscape. Many are rec- ognizing that through wil- derness designation, we protect our landscape’s long-term viability, thereby ensuring the greatest number of options for our future. Options like a com- munity setting that provides for many activities in the outdoors and a more diver- sifi ed, stable economy. tains, so named for their steep, Special status animal species occur- Organs has been expressed by the NMWA, along with other citi- needle-like spires which resemble ring in the Organs include the per- Mayors of Las Cruces and the town zen groups, are proposing protec- the pipes of an organ, were also a egrine falcon, the endemic Organ of Mesilla, County commissioners, tion for this area through a Citizen’s beacon to the early pioneers as they Mountains chipmunk, and four City Councilors and the overwhelm- Proposal for a National Conserva- traveled into the area. For infi nitely species of endemic mollusks. The ing majority of residents. tion Area with a core of Wilderness longer, the majestic mountains kept diverse plant life includes desert

Page 6 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 Protegiendo las Montanas de los Organos Y Nuestras Opciones Para el Futuro

by Alberto Zavala —una Propuesta Ciudadan ocalizadas en el este de el Con- área através de un Propuesta Ciu- Los recursos escenicos de las mon- años, la gente prehistorica ha dado de Doña Ana, como a dadana como Area de Consevación tañas son importantes para la vasta dejado huella de su cultura en esta L 10 millas de el este de Las Nacional con el núcleo de las Mon- mayoría de los residentes de Las area en rocas, incluyendo algu- Cruces, es el más espectacular y tañas de los Organos como Tierra Cruces, la mayoría de los cuales nos de los primeros maizales cul- dramatico escenario que se puede Silvestre. La sección de Nuevo son de la opinión de que deberían tivados conocidos en los Estados encontrar en el sureste de Nuevo Mexico de la Federacion Nacional ser protegidas y conservadas. Las Unidos. Oportunidades sobresal- Mexico, las Montañas de los Orga- de Tierras Silvestres y grupos de Montañas de los Organos, llama- ientes de reacreación en los Orga- nos. Por mucho tiempo ha sido deportistas locales han apoyado la das asi por lo empinado, cimas nos incluyen caminatas, paseos en una fuente de orgullo para la caballo, fotografi a natural y gente y las comunidades de con signifi cado nacional el el Condado de Doña Ana, las rapel de rocas. La presencia montañas y las tierras que de algunas fuentes perenes se encuentran a su alrededor hacen de el área una grave han estado en peligro por el importancia para la vida sal- desarrollo urbano. El hecho vaje incluyendo a las agu- de que el Buro de Manejo de ilas doradas, halcones, las Tierras ( Bureau of Land buhos, venado mulo, codor- Management BLM) actual- niz Montezuma y leones de mente identifi ca mucha de la montaña. Un estado especial tierra adyacente a las mon- de especies animales ocur- tañas para venta a los urban- ren en los Organos incluy- izadores, ha creado mucha endo el halcon peregrino, preocupación a los residen- la endemica ardilla de las tes locales. El BLM y los mili- Montanas de los Organos, tares administran mucho de y cuatro especies de molus- este terreno montañoso y tier- cos endemicos. La diversa ras adyacentes. Varias áreas vida de plantas incluye prad- de manejo especial del BLM eras deserticas, ocotillo, proporcionan al área un poco yuccas, mesquite, zumaque, de protección. Estas incluyen caoba de Montana, roble, tres Areas de Estudio de Tier- piñon, enebro, pino ponder- ras Silvestres (AETS,) las Mon- osa y más de un docena de tañas de los Organos AETS, plantas de estado especial Agujas de los Organos AETS incluyendo el cactus cerezo y Peña Blanca AETS. El BLM nochefl oreciente y el primav- también designó las Monta- eral atardecer de las Monta- ñas de los Organos como Area nas de los Organos Escenica de Preocupación Ambiental Critica (AEPAC) y Nuevo Mexico todavía se las Montñnas de los Organos queda atras de otros esta- y Franklin AEPAC las cuales dos de el oeste en el monto son designadas para prote- de Tierras Silvestres actual- ger los valores biológicos, mente protegidas, con sol- escénicos, estado especial amente el 2.1%. Aunque de especies y culturales de el esta propuesta ciudadana área. Con los peligros inmedi- se enfoca en las tierras que atos de urbanización y las tier- comprenden las Montañas ras de venta del BLM, es una de los Organos y las coli- urgente la necesidad de imple- nas de sus alrededores, tam- mentar una signifi cativa pro- bién se continuará construy- tección a largo plazo para este endo en la fundación que paisaje único. Muchos han recon- propuesta. En Las Cruces algunos como agujas, las cuales aseme- hemos creado en el sur de ocido que através de una desig- grupos han estado trabajando por jan los tubos de un organo, fueron Nuevo Mexico trabajando en temas nación de Tierras Silvestres prote- algun tiempo hacia una “protec- tambien la guía para los pione- de tierras silvestres y en nuestros geremos nuestros paisajes a largo cion de espacio abierto” para pre- ros que viajaron en el área. Por esfuerzos de proteger areas a lo plazo, y por medio de esto asegu- venir la urbanización, incluyendo la tiempo indefi nido, las majestuosas largo de el estado. Un fuerte apoyo rar el gran numero de opciones Fuerza Operante Ciudadana para la montañas han mantenido su vigilia para proteger las Montañas de los para el futuro; opciones como una Conservación de Espacios Abiertos. sobre el viviente paisaje de el Desi- Organos ha sido expresado por los comunidad asentada que provee Estos esfuerzos han puesto la base erto Chihuahuense, dando vida y alcaldes de Las Cruces y Mesilla, una diversidad de oportunidades para la propuesta de NMWA. mandando derrames hacia el rio comisionados del condado, con- al aire libre asi como una diversa y del oeste, el magnifi co Rio Grande, sejeros de la ciudad y la inmensa estable economía. NMWA junto con Los Organos tienen un consid- atraves de arroyos que cortan a mayoría de los residentes. otros grupos ciudadanos estan pro- erable signifi cado cultural, soci- lo largo de las mesas rodantes. A poniendo la protección para esta ológico, biológico y económico. lo largo de cuando menos 7,000

Page 6 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 Paradise Lost? Jim O’Donnell, Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal

he Texas oil and gas boys are out to blood of local recreation-based mend opening the Valle for leasing. destroy 100,000 acres of northern New Mexico economies. It hosts outfi tters, hunt- wildlands for a paltry 11 hours of natural gas. ing and trekking guides, horseback The Coalition for the Valle Vidal is T determined not to let this happen. riding and world-class fl y-fi shing. We have formed a team that will The Valle Vidal, a 100,000-acre, of Bristlecone Pine in the nation. The Valle Vidal defi nes The Land participate in the forest plan amend- generally roadless, gem smack in Pure strains of the Rio Grande cut- of Enchantment. ment process. We have also initi- the heart of the Sangre de Cristo throat trout can be found in many ated a vigorous public-awareness Mountains northwest of Cimar- of the waterways. But the Valle Vidal is in danger. campaign to inform New Mexicans ron, is a ‘reservoir of wildlife’. It In 2002, El Paso Natural Gas peti- The Valle is a key wildlife corridor, just how devastating the destruc- hosts the largest elk herd in the tioned the Forest Service to lease linking the Wildernesses of Wheeler tion of the Valle would be. state, sixty other species of mam- 40,000 acres of the Valle for coal- and Latir Peak with the Colombine- mals including black bear, turkey, bed methane development. In July, his is a vital moment for the Hondo WSA, the wildlands of Ver- and bison, nearly 200 species of the Forest Service released its study Valle Vidal. Our Congressional mejo Park and the Southern Rock- T birds and 33 kinds of reptiles and predicting a relatively large amount Representatives must know that we ies Ecosystem. amphibians. Its verdant valleys are of gas beneath the Valle, yet it’s want this land to be permanently ringed by one of the largest stands The Valle Vidal is also the life- only enough to supply the entire protected from industrialization. nation with 11 hours To that end, the Coalition has also of gas. For that, we initiated a letter writing campaign to would see the elk’s Representatives Udall and Wilson calving grounds dis- on this issue. They need to hear our rupted, displaced voice! wildlife populations, poisoned waterways There is too much to lose by and the loss of a vital industrializing one of our treasured portion of the econo- wildlands for 11 hours of natural mies of north central gas. We cannot allow another out of New Mexico. state conglomerate to drill and run, leaving us with busted economies The Forest Ser- and a ruined landscape. vice now moves to the development of To fi nd out more about the an Amendment to Coalition for the Valle Vidal and the Forest Plan for how you can help protect this the Carson National wonder, please visit our web site Forest. That process at www.vallevidal.org or call Jim should take about a O’Donnell at 505-758-3874. year and at the end, they could recom-

park and Wilderness is leased for oil the BLM has failed to fully look Oil and Gas Leases Threaten More and gas. NMWA has identifi ed sev- at the impact of oil and gas leas- eral parcels in the surrounding area ing and its effects on the land and that still qualify for Wilderness pro- wildlife of these parcels, violating Proposed Wilderness in New Mexico tection. However, any oil and gas the national environmental policy by Tisha Broska development of these wild public designed to protect wildlife habitat. he New Mexico Wilderness western New Mexico. lands would prevent any future Wil- TAlliance (NMWA,) along with derness Forest Guardians and the South- The protests were effectively status. west Environmental Center fi led ignored, and 87 parcels were NMWA protests against 67 of 88 New leased. In all, 40,639 acres of New and other Mexico parcels the BLM auctioned Mexico’s BLM public lands were environ- off for oil and gas leasing in late lost to development. mental October. The protests were mainly groups The BLM included a “no surface will con- for leases on important wildlife hab- occupancy stipulation” on only two itat and land adjacent to Carlsbad tinue to parcels of land to protect the habitat moni- Caverns National Park and the Bisti of the lesser prairie chicken and the Wilderness. Many of the parcels are tor any sand dune lizard. Directional drilling progress habitat for the endangered Aplo- from less sensitive lands would be mado falcon and also the lesser toward oil required to develop resources on and gas prairie chicken. Other parcels are those parcels. within the Guadalupe Escarpment develop- ment on and Rawhide Canyon Proposed Below is a map of the Carlsbad these par- Wilderness Areas in southern New Caverns National Park area. As you cels. We Mexico and within the Split Lip can see, most land adjacent to the Flats Proposed Wilderness in north- feel that

Page 8 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Jack Childs and Matt Many of the plants in the Colvin hunting in the Peloncillo Peloncillos are evergreen. Here the Baboquivari Mountains Mountains observant plant fancier will notice of south-central Arizona Paul Polechla Jr., Ph.D. the Chihuahua pine. It looks simi- trumped them one better lar to the Ponderosa pine only with My introduction to the Pelon- by videotaping a jaguar three needles. Rocky hillsides can cillo Mountains of the southwestern in the top of an alliga- have the Palmer’s agave pollinated New Mexico-southeastern Arizona tor juniper. They went on by the Mexican long-tongue bat border was on a warm October day to form an organization and the Schott’s Yucca pollinated in 2001. I was taking my Carnivore called the Jaguar Conser- by the pronuba moth. The point- Ecology class down to the place vation Team and decided leaf manzanita puts out red fruits where Warner and Kelly Glenn had to determine how to tell that are readily eaten by fat-storing bayed a jaguar in 1996 with their jaguar sign from that of fall black bears. Mexican pinyon is hounds. We were trying to bait a other carnivores, notably another endemic conifer of the area jaguar into the area to leave tracks. the puma and other cats that provides bears with seeds. Oaks On that trip, we saw no jaguar tracks (also known as cougars, abound in the mountains…shrub but we did make note of their exotic panthers, and mountain live oak, gray oak. While, the sharp habitat. lions). So they headed thorns of the succulent plants ocoti- south to where the jag- These rugged little mountains llo, cane cholla, Engleman’s prickly uars are more plentiful… impressed me from the get go. pear, and catclaw acacia remind one Matto Grosso do Sul, the Geologists have described these of the desert. Pantanaal Region of west- mountains as a broken, faulted In this part of New Mexico it is ern Brazil. There they arch of extrusive and intrusive igne- possible to see the sign or the actual tracked jaguars, pumas, ous rocks and sedimentary rocks animal of all three members of the ocelots, and jaguarondi, overlain to the north and south by raccoon family: the raccoon, ringtail, and set out to try and dis- younger extrusive volcanic rocks. and the Neotropical coati. We found tinguish the tracks and The extrusive molten magma forced dainty ringtail tracks and scats under sign of jaguars from the the sedimentary rocks to cool into a rocky ledge and raccoon tracks rest of the Neotropical dikes and sills and formed the out- El Tigre! The Jaguar along a spring. We saw tracks and cats. The result was a nice guide croppings and peaks. The result was scats of Coue’s white-tailed deer as of the Borderlands published in 1998. They found that a “devil’s playground” of giant boul- well as the majestic animals them- the jaguar track is unique in that ders, rock formations, and a maze Paul J. Polechla Jr., Ph.D. selves. Montezuma quail, wild the trailing edge of the pad of the of canyons complex enough to tan- Carnivore Initiative Project turkey and western screech owl also [email protected] jaguar track is un-lobed or less pro- talize geologists for eons. nounced. The puma, bobcat, and frequent the Peloncillos. Other more The jaguar (Panthera onca) is one house cat have three lobes on the This mountain range in middle elusive animals that we could have of the most elusive wildlife spe- trailing edge of the pad. In addition of the Chihuahuan desert, acts as potentially seen include the neotrop- cies of the Southwest. First of all, the puma track he claimed is more a cloud trap for moist air blow- ical eared trogon and the red and the southwest US is at the north- angular, while with the jaguar these ing off of the Gulf of California and black Gila monster lizard. the Pacific Ocean. As these mois- ern part of their range, so even his- details of the track are rounded and The Peloncillos used to be the ture laden air masses are warmed torically they have never been very more robust. home of the extirpated Grizzly on the desert floor, they ascend. As common. Second of all, as a top- Bear. Here, a sign commemorates As recent as September 2004, the air ascends it is cooled and pre- level predator, their populations in Jean Baptiste Charbonneau of the Vladimir Dinets photographed a cious water molecules contained in the heart of their range further south Mormon Battalion of 1846, observ- black jaguar in northern Mexico… the air fall to the earth as precipita- are typically low for carnivores. The ing 3 Grizzly bears. This was also the the first ever recorded. Word has it tion. During the monsoons of late undeniable fact of the matter is that last stomping grounds of the Mexi- that more jaguar photos have been summer this phenomena can give they are a native part of the South- can wolf, or lobo, until Arizona and taken, as recent as October 2004 in regular rains to the Peloncillos. The west’s fauna and that they are expe- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the southwest. winters here are mild as compared riencing somewhat of a comeback. reintroduced them. Hopefully the to the north. These two factors allow The New Mexico Department of Peloncillo Mountains of the New For decades, biologist thought Neotropical flora and fauna to reach Game and Fish’s “Wildlife Notes” on Mexico and Arizona borderlands will that the jaguar was extirpated into southwestern U.S. making a the jaguar states: “One of the diffi- continue to harbor such a rich and or locally extinct in their former giant “U” shape across the border- cult tasks ahead is finding out more unique flora and fauna. haunts of southern Arizona and lands of northern Mexico and Texas. New Mexico. All that remained about this rare mammal’s life his- was museum specimens and folk- tory in New Mexico.” lore. The jaguar was “rediscovered” So, stay tuned all you jaguar by Warner Glenn and his daughter lovers, more is sure to come. Kelly in the spring of 1996. They were out with their black and tan hounds for mountain lion hunting in the Peloncillo Mountains of the Arizona-New Mexico border when their dogs bayed an exotic quarry. Instead of reaching for a rifle like many ranchers might, he reached for his camera in his saddlebags. The rest is history. Their 1996 book on the experience with photos and text caused quite a stir in the con- servation world as biologists strug- gled to gain more information. Then in August of the same year,

Page 8 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 enviadas durante el último periodo de comentarios públicos, el cual fi nalizó en junio de 2004. Esta es una cantidad sin precedentes bi-partidaria de apoyo público y envolvimiento. involved. En el Acto Ojito como Tierra Silves- IT’S PEOPLE THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. tre, miles de cartas fueron escritas y llamadas telefónicas hechas a nues- tra delegación, que los impulsaba a aprobar el primer Proyecto de Ley de Tierras Silvestres en Nuevo Mexico en casi veinte años. Otra vez un In 2005, our wildlands face their grupo bi-partidario de Nuevo Mexica- nos trabajaron juntos para introducir biggest challenge in history. In esta Legislación, y nuestra delegación está escuchando claramente y traba- light of this challenge, what will jando para aprobar ésta Legislación. Tal vez el más importante respaldo, your legacy be? es el fuerte y comprometido apoyo del Gobernador Bill Richardson para lsa tierras Silvestres de Nuevo by Nathan Newcomer Mexico. n light of the outcome of the our Wilderness Areas, to stand tall El Gobernador Richardson ha recent elections it is clear that and speak loud and clear. We must estado de Pie para Otero Meso, Valle New Mexico’s wild lands and I unite under one banner and not Vidal, Ojito y la Regla de Conserva- Wilderness areas will be under full budge from our position. We must ción de Areas sin Caminos, y esto assault from the Bush administra- be vigilant in our efforts and not es porque los Nuevo Mexicanos se tion and industry allies. However, give an inch. We need to write Let- ESTAN INVOLUCRANDO! Y haciendo New Mexicans have demonstrated ters to the Editor of newspapers, set que sus voces sean escuchadas. a strong commitment to preserving up meetings with our Congressio- our natural heritage over the past nal representatives, attend public Ahora est tiempo para todos four years, and during the next hearings, make phones calls, write aquellos que se prreocu- four years, we will all need to be more letters, and demand protec- pan acerca de nuestra her her-- just as vigilant in our efforts. tion of New Mexico’s wild lands encia natural- nuestras areas and Wilderness Areas. de TTierrasierras Silvestres, de pon- In the case of Otero Mesa, more erse en lo alto ya hablar fuerte than 50,000 letters, faxes, and The following is a citizen’s guide y claro. Debemos unirnos emails calling for the protection to GETTING INVOVLED! To learn bajo un solo estandarte, y of this Chihuahuan Desert grass- more about how you can help no ceder de nuestra land were submitted during the and make a difference, contact posición. Debe- last public comment period, which Grassroots Organizer’s Nathan mos ser vig- ended in June 2004. This is an Newcomer in Albuquerque (505- ilantes en unprecedented amount of bi-par- 843-8696, [email protected],) nuestros tisan public support and involve- or Trisha London and Alberto esfuer- ment! Zavala in Las Cruces (505- zos y no 527-9962, [email protected], On the Ojito Wilderness Act, ceder ni [email protected]) thousands of letters were written una sola pul- and phone calls made to our del- gada. Necesita- egation urging them to pass New mos escribir Cartas Mexico’s fi rst Wilderness Bill in al Editor en los periódi- almost twenty years. Again, a bi- cos, establecer reuniones partisan group of New Mexicans INVOLUCRESE! con nuestros representantes en worked together to introduce this En vista del resultado de las elecci- el Congreso, atender audiencias legislation and our delegation is lis- ones recientes, está claro que la Tier- públicas, hacer llamadas telefónicas, tening clearly and working to pass ras Silvestres de Nuevo Mexico y las escrubir más cartas,y demandar la this legislation. áreas de Tierras Silvestres estarán protección de las TierrasTierras Ssilvestres bajo un completo ataque por parte de Nuevo Mexico y de las áreas de Perhaps most importantly de la administración de Bush e TierrasTierras Silvestres. though, is the strong, committed industrias aliadas. De cualesquier support of Governor Bill Richard- La siguiente es una guía ciudadana manera los Nuevo Mexicanos han son for Wilderness in New Mexico. para INVOLUCARSE! Para aprender demostrado un fuerte compromiso más acerca de cómo puede ayudar Governor Richardson has stood para preservar su herencia natural en a hacer la diferencia, contacte a los up for Otero Mesa, the Valle Vidal, los últimos cuatro años, y durante los Organizadores Nathan Newcomer Ojito, and the Roadless Area próximos cuatro tendremos la nece- in Albuquerque (505-843-8696, Conservation Rule. And this is sidad de ser justamente vigilantes en [email protected],) or Alberto because New Mexicans are GET- nuestros esfuerzos. Zavala in Las Cruces (505-527-9962, TING INVOLVED! and having their En el caso de Otero Mesa, más de [email protected]) voices heard. 50,000 cartas, faxes y emails, pidi- Now is the time for all those who endo la protección de estas praderas care about our natural heritage— de el Desierto Chihuahuense, fueron

Page 10 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 Be Prepared: Bring information or Abajo hay algunas sugerencias materials supporting your position. para considerar cuando se plan- In some instances, a member may tee una visita a la ofi cina del con- FECHAS DE RECESO lack important details of a particu- greso, y fechas de cuando nues- Enero 1-19 lar issue. It is very helpful to share tra delegación estará en receso y Febrero 16-23 with the member information that regresarán a Nuevo Mexico. Senado Marzo 15-19 demonstrates the impact of a par- Casa Abril 5-19 ticular issue or piece of legislation. Planee su visita cuidadosamente: Senado Abril 12-19 Know your facts. Sea claro acreca de que es lo que May 24-31 quiere llevar a cabo; determine Junio 28—Julio 5 Make Connections to the State or por adelantado con cual miembro Julio 26—Septiembre 6 District: Wherever possible, demon- del personal necesita reunirse para Octubre 1 Aplazamiento para todo strate the connection between what llevar a cabo su propósito. el Congreso you are requesting and the interests of the member’s constituency. Haga una cita: Contacte a la Secretaria de Citas y expliquele Be Sure to Listen: You may learn su propósito y con quien quiere the most by listening to what a reunirse, Tendrá que escribir una member of their staff has to say carta a la secretaria de citas expli- 2005 Congressional about an issue. Listen to what they cando el tema que desea discu- know, what their opinion is, and tir, Siempre dele seguimiento a su Recess Schedule what concerns they have. carta con llamadas telefónicas para asegurarse que sea recibido. Whether you’re able to travel to Be Responsive: Be prepared to Washington D.C. and meet with answer questions. If you don’t Sea puntual y paciente: Es muy New Mexico’s delegation or con- know the answer—tell them you común ue las personas del Con- gressional staff, or if you can only will follow up with them soon. greso lleguen tarde o que su meet with them at their local offi ces, Follow up the meeting with a thank reunión sea interrumpida, debido both are very effective ways for you you letter that outlines the different a su horario tan apretado. Si esto to speak out in support of Wilder- points covered in the meeting. ocurre sea fl exible. No se ofenda Call Washington, D.C. toll-free. ness issues. When our members of si se reune solamente con miem- Capitol Switchboard Number: congress are here in New Mexico bros del personal de las personas on recess, it is a great opportunity 800-839-5276 RECESS DATES en el Congreso. Los miembros del for you and others with similar con- congreso confían mucho en su per- Just ask the operator to connect cerns to set up a group meeting January 1-19 sonal para mantenerse informados you to your New Mexico Senator with your Congress person. Meet- February 16 – 23 y ayuden a determinar su posición or Congressman. ing as a group not only helps gain Senate March 15-19 en los diferentes temas. access, but also demonstrates con- House April 5-19 Senator Pete V. Domenici cern among a large portion of the Senate April 12-19 Este preparado: Lleve infor- 328 Hart Senate Offi ce Building member’s constituency. May 24-31 mación o materiales que apoyen Washington, D.C. 20510-3101 June 28 – July 5 su posición. En algunas instancias, (202) 224-6621 Below are some suggestions to July 26 – September 6 un miembro podrá carecer de det- (202) 228-0900 consider when planning to visit October 1 is Target Adjournment alles importantes sobre un tema en a congressional offi ce, and dates for all of Congress particular. Es de micha ayuda com- Senator Jeff Bingaman when our delegation will be in partir con los miembros la infor- 703 Hart Senate Offi ce Building recess and back in New Mexico. mación que demuestre el impacto Washington, D.C. 20510 Plan Your Visit Carefully: Be de un tema en particular o pieza de (202) 224-5521 clear about what it is you want Legislación. Conozca los hechos. (202) 224-2852 fax to achieve; determine in advance Haga conecciones con el Estado Horario Del 2005 Congresswoman Heather Wilson which member or staff person you o el Distrito: Como sea posible, 318 Cannon House Offi ce Building need to meet with to achieve your Delreceso En El demostrar laconección entre lo que Washington, D.C. 20515 purpose. Congreso está solicitando y los intereses de los miembros del electorado. (202) 225-6316 Make an Appointment: Con- (202) 225-4975 fax tact the Appointment Secretary/ Si usted puede viajar a Washing- Asegurese de escuchar: Debe Scheduler and explain your pur- ton D.C. y reunirse com la dele- apresnder lo más que se pueda Congressman Steve Pearce pose and whom you want to gación de Nuevo Mexico o personal cuando est0 escuchando al miem- 1408 Longworth House Offi ce meet with. You will have to write a del Congreso, o si usted solamente bro del personal, que es lo que Building letter to the Appointment Secretary puede reunirse con ellos en sus ofi - tiene que decir acerca del tema. Washington, D.C. 20515 explaining what topic(s) you wish cinas locales, ambas son muy efi ci- Escuche que es lo que sabe, cual es (202) 225-2365 to discuss. Always follow up your entes formas para usted de hablar su opinión y que intereses tienen. (202) 225-9599 fax letter with phone calls to ensure acreca de el apoyo en temas de las that you will be seen. Tierras Silvestres. Cuando nuestro Responda: Este preparado para Congressman Tom Udall miembros del congreso están aquí contestar preguntas. Si no sabe la Be Prompt and Patient: It is not 502 Cannon House Offi ce Building en Nuevo Mexico en receso, es una respuesta digales que usted le dara uncommon for a Congressperson Washington, D.C. 20515 gran oportunidad para usted y otras seguimiento inmediatamente. Dele to be late, or have a meeting inter- (202) 225-6190 personas con el mismo interés de seguimiento a l reunión con una rupted, due to their crowded sched- (202) 226-1331 fax tratar de establecer una reunión en carta de agradecimiento en donde ule. If this occurs, be fl exible. Don’t grupo con su persona en el Con- se describa un perfi l de los diferen- be offended if you meet only with Governor Bill Richardson greso. Una reunión en grupo no tes puntos que se discitieron en la the member’s staff. Members of Offi ce of the Governor solamente ayuda a asegurara la reunión. congress rely heavily on their staff State Capitol Building Suite 300 reunión, sino que también demus- to keep them informed and help Santa Fe, NM 87501 tra el interés entre una gran porción determine their position on issues. (505) 476-2200 de miembros del electorado. (505) 476-2226 fax

Page 10 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 TAKING ACTION

NMWA is putting together road closures and other restoration proj- ects for 2005. If you would like to be notifi ed of the when these will be, call Michael Scialdone at the NMWA offi ce in ABQ – (505) 843-8696 or drop him an email at LTE CONTACTS [email protected]. If you have hiked the Middle Fork Albuquerque Journal Trail, and would like peace and PO Drawer J quiet when you do so again, write Albuquerque, NM 87103 the Questa Ranger District with a [email protected] cc to the Supervisor’s offi ce and Harry Moskos let them know that this is a special NMWA’S 505-823-3837 – phone place and you would prefer not to 505-823-3994 – fax have the noise and fumes of ATVs as part of your experience (see arti- Las Cruces Sun News cle on page 5.) PO BOX 1749 LTE PRIMER Las Cruces, NM 88004 [email protected] Ron Thibedeau, Jim Lawetz Questa District Ranger Letters to Editor (LTE) Cartas al Editor 505-541-5498 - fax POBox 110 that are published are Most 505-541-5438 – phone Quest NM 87556 between 125-250 words, although La mayoría de las Caetas al Editor it is not uncommon for longer LTE’s que son publicadas contienen entre Santa Fe New Mexican Martin Chavez to be printed. Preference is given 125-250 palabras, aunque es poco 202 E. Marcy St. Forest Supervisor to letters that are fresh, brief, clear común q ue se impriman Santa Fe, NM 87501 208 Cruz Alta Road and that don’t require factual veri- Cartas al Editor más extensas. Se [email protected] Taos NM 87571 fi cation. le da preferencia a las cartas que son frescas, breves claras y que no Pat West-Barker If you send a letter via snail mail, necesitan de verifi cacion efectiva. 505-986-3040 – fax make sure you write on the outside 505-995-3804 – phone Si usted manda una crata por el of the envelope: “Attn: Letters to the correo tradicional, asegurese de Editor”. This will ensure that your escribir en el sobre: “Attn: Cartas al letter gets to the editor in a timely Editor”. Esto asegurará que su carta Concerned about fashion. Also you must include llegue al editor de una manera your address and phone number oportuna. También debe incluir oil and gas for verifi cation. Most newspapers su dirección y número de teléfono prefer an email LTE. That way they para la verifi cación. La mayoría de development on OFF-ROAD don’t have to re-type it. The more los periódicos prefi eren las Cartas our public lands? you help out a reporter or editor, al Editor via email, de esta manera VEHICLES - the more likely they are to help ellos no tienen que reescribirla. write: you out and run your piece. Also, if Cuanto más ayude a un report- Linda Rundell TAKE ACTION! you have access to a fax machine, ero o editor, más probabilidades BLM State Director New Mexico currently lacks any state fax your LTE as well as emailing it. hay de que le ayuden a publicar su carta. También, si tiene acceso P.O. Box 27115 regulations for ATVs and dirt bikes. Be sure to have a cover page when a una máquina de fax, envie por Last year legislation was introduced, faxing and address it Attn: Letter to Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115 fax su Carta al Editor asi como por but never got passed in the Legis- the Editor. email. Asegurese de tener una hoja lature. This year State Senator Feld- Furthermore, it’s a great idea to de cubierta cuando mande el fax y man and Representative Gonzales dirigirla a Attn: Cartas al Editor. contact the person in charge of Let- are re-introducing legislation that ter’s to the Editor and see if they Además es una gran idea con- will help to regulate Off Road Vehi- have received your letter. If you tactar a la persona encrgada de las cles. This common-sense bill would submitted your letter via email or Cartas al Editor y ver si ya recibi- promote responsible behavior, fax, wait an hour or so before you eron su carta. Si usted manda una give tools to break the destructive call them. If they have received carta atraves de email o fax, espere cycle of ORV abuse, educate opera- your letter, tell them why you think al menos una hora antes de lla- tors with safety courses, and require they should publish it, i.e. it’s a marles. Si ya recibieron su carta, licensing. The bill would also provide timely issue, it’s important people digales porque piensa que deberían funds for law enforcement, which is publicarla, que es un tema opor- read this because…etc. critical to the protection of Wilder- tuno, es importante que la gente ness and wild lands. To learn more lea esto porque...etc Below are the three main papers about the bill and to TAKE ACTION, in New Mexico, with Letter’s to the Abajo hay tres de los principales visit www.supportatvregs.org and Editor information. periódicos de Nuevo Mexico, con sign the online petition. By showing la información de Cartas al Editor. broad support, we can begin reign- ing in the menace of ATV abuse.

Page 12 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 A Q uarter Million Comments for Otero M esa

B e a part of the largest letter wr iting c ampaign in New M exico history! J oin the New M exico W ilder ness Alliance in setting the bar by wor king to generate a quarter of a million letters in support of Otero Mesa to President George W. B ush. We are producing 500 Otero M esa D VD’s full of extraordinary fo otage of this wild grassland. Also included are interviews with G ov. Richardson and other prominent New M exican fi gures, and a lo ok at the Otero Mesa devastating impacts of oil and gas development on public lands in southeastern New M exico. Time to take the gloves off. The purp ose of this D VD is by Stephen Capra to share it with friends and family and get them to write here comes a time in every This could put a halt on develop- fi lm this wild grassland. Between letters, and then pass it on so campaign for the environ- ment for the foreseeable future, May and August of 2004, the mesa that others can get involved T ment when one simply perhaps forever. Governor Rich- had received more than 15 inches in our efforts to generate a has to say NO to the idea of losing. ardson remains solidly commit- of rain, the highest amount since quarter of a million letters For many of us, that concept came ted to our efforts and will do every- 1997. It was then that the power of in supp ort of Otero Mesa to home in the late evening of elec- thing to prevent development in this landscape became clear. Knee President George W. B ush. tion night. Otero Mesa is New Mex- Otero Mesa. We are completing a to waist high grasses as far as the To reserve your copy of this ico’s wildest grassland and, unlike 15-minute video on Otero Mesa eye could see, pronghorn in herds D VD or to set up an Otero most of the southeastern part of designed to be shown to friends of 20-30 running swiftly across this M esa D VD party, contact our state, remains free of oil and and other concerned citizens with unbroken prairie of black and blue Nathan Newcomer at the gas development. The idea that the goal of generating 250,000 grama. Afternoon thunderstorms we would simply surrender and comments to President Bush. The that fi lled the skies, while coyotes Albuquerque NMWA offi ce allow a few multi-million dollar video (of which 500 copies are peeked out of creosote bushes to ([email protected], 505- oil companies to destroy this wild being made) is designed to show watch prairie dog towns and night- 843-8696, ext.107). and beautiful landscape remains the need for protecting not only hawks swooped around our heads unconscionable. By the time this the wild nature of this landscape, searching for their next meal. This Letters to President Bush goes to press the Bureau of Land but the priceless aquifer that lies is the wild and special magic that The White House management will have released its beneath its surface. These videos is Otero Mesa. Does it make sense 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Record of Decision on Otero Mesa, will be available at our Christmas to simply allow such a place to be Washington, DC 20500 the result will likely be the opening party on December 11th. They destroyed for a few days worth of Comments: 202-456-1111 of this 1.2 million acre grassland to will be distributed nationally and oil and gas? How poor are we as FAX: 202-456-2461 full-scale oil and gas development. to citizens willing to show them to a state or a nation if we allow such Of course, the BLM, under tre- friends and neighbors, getting them plunder? mendous pressure from the Bush involved. The New Mexico Wilder- Administration, will portray this as ness Alliance continues to speak The reality is that the fi ght is just a small footprint with strict envi- out across the state and will be now warming up. We must send ronmental safeguards. This is the organizing non-violent protests in a strong signal to the Bush Admin- rhetoric of the oil and gas indus- the months ahead to keep the issue istration that democracy is alive try industry, thirsty for more profi t, of Otero Mesa in the public’s eye. and well in New Mexico and that emboldened by the elections and We will continue to make clear to the protection of our public lands unconcerned about New Mexicans the oil and gas industry and politi- remains a value that defi nes our or their future. cians that we will never stop fi ght- quality of life in the West. The time ing to protect this important part of is now! Your support is crucial. But let’s be clear about this battle, New Mexico’s wild heritage. Call our offi ces or come lend your the fat lady has yet to sing… Our support. Request our video. Get litigation team at Earth Justice feels This past August, fi lmmaker Bob involved! very confi dent about our legal case. Willis and I went to Otero Mesa to

Page 12 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 2004 Wilderness Conference, Abbey Event Offers Daytime THANK YOU! Information and Evening 2004 Wilderness Irreverence For Lucky Attendees Conference Sponsors

MWA is blessed with hun- NMWA will hold the event again Ndreds of hours of volunteer in 2005 and we look forward to work every year, donated by the seeing you there. In the meantime, dedicated folks who love the wild thank you for your volunteer time, places of New Mexico. Common your tax-deductible gifts, and your to all these volunteers is a desire to commitment. become better informed as citizens and more effective as activists when dealing with the complex issues Ed Abbey Still Alive in of wilderness and conservation. Memories, Hearts of Because of this, NMWA has hosted a series of conferences on wilder- Friends and Fans Alike ness and wilderness issues over the On Saturday, September 25th, years. Our latest and greatest effort 2004 from 7-10PM, NMWA hosted took place on Saturday, September an evening celebrating the famed 25th, 2004 at the La Posada Hotel southwest author Edward Abbey. in downtown Albuquerque. Remembering Edward Abbey was New Mexico Wilderness Alli- held in the Kimo theatre in down- ance’s 2004 Wilderness Conference town Albuquerque. Hundreds of brought together speakers from people came to listen to the per- all over the country and Mexico sonal stories, songs, and readings Volunteers to share information, insight, and of 4 of Abbey’s close friends and to inspiration with over 100 attendees. see rare fi lms of the noted conser- Annette Ahlander Lara Black vationist and author. The daylong event was fi lled with Benny Pacheco Matt Traught fun and facts and featured multiple Dave Foreman, co-founder of workshops and speeches. the Rewilding Institute, the Wild- Chuck Houston Metta Raven Heart The Keynote speaker was Oscar lands Project, and Earth First! was Greg Weier Nancy Murray emcee of the show, telling stories Moctezuma, Executive Director Hildegard Adams Natalie Gwen Dawson of the Naturalia, one of the lead- of Abbey’s days at the University of ing conservation organizations in New Mexico and beyond. Jay Swoboda Rod Adams Mexico. He presented information Jack Loeffl er read from his book John Chavez Suzanne Mills to a rapt audience on the jaguars of Adventures with Ed: A Portrait of Mexico and the cross-border wild Abbey and shared some recorded Kelly Dix Joe Adair lands on which they depend. interviews in which Abbey dis- Workshops included History cussed the nature and limits of of the Wilderness Movement activism, the moral nature of con- hosted by Doug Scott, and Media/ servation, and the ways govern- Grassroots: Creating a Citizen’s ments will use crises to distract cit- Toolbox for Action, with our own izens from a longer-term vision of Stephen Capra and Nathan New- the world. comer. Dave Parson’s The Ecology Bart Koehler, a.k.a. Johnny Sage- of Wilderness was well attended, brush and another co-founder of and Arturo Sandoval energetically Earth First!, lead the audience in hosted Broadening Our Base: Diver- song and told stories of his time sifying the Outreach of the Conser- with Ed in the conservation move- vation Community. Sessions on the ment. politics of wilderness, the intricacies of federal agencies, and how reli- And no one there will forget the gion and ecology interact were also wonderful performance of Katie Lee Walk for Wilderness was held on Saturday, October 23rd in celebra- offered. with her heartfelt songs, touching tion of the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The New Mexico stories, and hilarious vocabulary. Attendees received more than just Wilderness Alliance, partnered with REI and the US Forest Service, information with a lunch included, We thank all that turned out to held the event in Albuquerque at the Elena Gallegos Park in the however. They met and spent a day make this event special and to help foolhills of the Sandia Mountains. The walk was a 4-mile interpre- with those who have a similar drive NMWA continue its work in protect- tive hike, with trivia question and prizes, to raise awareness for Wil- to do their part in protecting what ing and restoring the wild places of derness protection in New Mexico. Approximately 50 people par- remains of New Mexico’s threat- New Mexico. ticipated in the event and helped raise money for a trail restoration ened wild landscapes. project in the area.

Page 14 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Check www.nmwild.org for info on a Hike with Kids in Ojito and other planned but unscheduled events in Northern New Mexico SANDIA SNOWSHOE HIKE Sunday, February 27, 2005 Snowshoe hike in the Sandia Wilderness Moderate diffi culty, route TBD. Enjoy an early morning snowshoe with an experienced guide. Southern NM Hikes Contact Trisha London in NMWA’s Las Elevation gain: 500 feet Cruces offi ce for information on all Diffi culty: Easy to moderate the following hikes, including how This is a morning hike into one of to get there and back. You must RSVP the prominent canyons in the Organ for these hikes. You can reach her at Mountains. You’ll get very nice views 505-527-9962. down to Las Cruces and across the west Mesa. As you climb the canyon, November 27 views of the massive Rabbit Ears out- Robledo Mountains croppings are outstanding. Distance: 6 miles round trip Time: Return: mid-afternoon February 12 Elevation gain: 1000 feet Achenback Canyon Diffi culty: Moderate Distance: 5 mile round trip Time: 5 to 6 hours NMWA HOLIDAY PARTY This area is a BLM Wilderness Study Elevation gain: 1200 feet December 11th at 7:00 pm Area (WSA) as well as being part of Diffi culty: Moderate at the home of Dave Foreman and Nancy Morton NMWA’s Robledos/Las Uvas WSA RSVP: NMWA Offi ce 843-8696 complex. We will hike from the West The trail initially climbs a small or e-mail: [email protected] Please call for directions side of the mountains to the top of canyon then follows a mild grade and look for your invitation in the mail soon. Lookout Peak where we’ll get very along a slope high above the canyon dramatic views of the Rio Grande fl oor. The trail leads to the top of a dry Valley as well as numerous surround- waterfall, where the canyon becomes ing mountain ranges like the Organs, wider with a broad fl at grassland fi ll- Caballos, Cooke’s Range and the Las ing the valley. The trail eventually Uvas and others. This site includes leads through a broad valley to the an old heliograph station for Fort ridgeline on the north perimeter Selden. of the Achenback watershed. We’ll follow the same route back to our December 18-19 vehicles. Big Hatchet Peak-Car Camp (optional climb to top) March 12 Distance: 8 mile round trip Cooke’s Peak WSA Outing Time: 1 and 1⁄2 days Distance: “Minimal” hiking Elevation gain: 3000 feet Time: All day Diffi culty for hike: Moderate Elevation gain: 500 feet Diffi culty for climb: Strenuous, for Diffi culty: Easy experienced hikers only This is a “driving” outing with short We’ll be hiking and camping in one hikes of 2 miles or less to look at his- of the most spectacular areas in New toric Fort Cummings, some old ceme- Mexico. This is a “sky island” with dra- teries and a Mogollon petroglyph site matic views into Arizona, New Mexico of major signifi cance. Cooke’s Peak and northern Mexico. The Big Hatch- has an elevation of 8400 feet and is ets are located in the bootheel of NM, located within the Cooke’s Range south of Hachita and adjacent to the about 15 miles north of Deming, New Mexican border. This area was home Mexico. Cooke’s Range is truly a “sky to the Apaches and still is home to island” with a diversity of habitats Bighorn Sheep and is rich in diversity including Chihuahuan Desert Grass- of plant and animal species, some lands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, which are not common in other parts desert shrub communities with some of New Mexico. Mandrean elements with evergreen oaks also occurring in the area. From January 22 the summit of Cooke’s Peak you can Rabbit Ear Canyon see most of the mountain ranges of Distance: 5 mile round trip southwestern New Mexico as well as Time: 4 to 5 hours a few peaks within Arizona.

Page 14 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Wildlands Painted! 2004 Another Great Hit

Wildlands Painted! 2004 was Weckbach and Doug West. The another great success, with 12 group of up-and-coming artists, paintings selling in one weekend. Denver10, included: Jane Bunegar, Mountains & Rivers A very impressive show of over 80 Michelle Chrisman, Steve DeOrio, OUTFITTING NEW MEXICO oil paintings and pastels draped the Evelyn Martinez, Melinda Morri- walls of the 500 Second Street Per- son, Marcy Nicholas, and Peggy lthough David Diaz and his custom-fit backpacks paddling formance Space and Trevor Lucero Venable. A sister Amy Diaz have owned gear, cross-county skis and snow- Studio. Celebrating its second year, this small mountain shop for about shoes. Mountains and Rivers also Wildlands Painted! 2004 Invita- The sale of each painting helps 2 years, Mountains and Rivers has rents climbing shoes, snowshoes tional Show partnered Denver 10- the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- been at this same location since and cross country skis. -emerging artists from Colorado- ance in preserving the beautiful 1971 under different ownership. landscapes of the Land of Enchant- Mountains and Rivers believes -with guest artists from Colorado This hip little shop located on Cen- and New Mexico to help in the ment. Please see the back page tral Avenue near UNM is one of the in being an active partner in the of this issue for two of the pastels community. Last year they part- preservation of New Mexico’s wild only small, locally owned shops in landscapes. from Wildlands Painted! 2004. High Albuquerque specializing in qual- nered with Stone-Age Climb- quality, archival prints were made ity outdoor recreational equip- ing Gym to bring the Banff Moun- This year’s artists visited the Rio of the original pastels and are now ment. David and his sister believe tain Film Festival to Albuquerque. Chama, Valle Vidal and Colum- available for a limited time through in carrying high quality equipment Mountains and Rivers generously bine Hondo to paint en plein air New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. that leaves little to no impact on donated the proceeds of that event the beautiful landscapes NMWA is Please contact Tisha Broska if you the environment. They promote to the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- working to protect. An impressive have any questions about Wild- a “leave no trace” ethic and carry ance. Mountains and Rivers is also list of established guest artists par- lands Painted! at 505-843-8696 or the camping and mountaineer- a fairly active supporter of KNME, ticipated in the show including: Kim e-mail: [email protected]. ing equipment to support it. They the local PBS station. They are cur- English, Alyce Frank, Libby Hart, have a full line of climbing gear that rently underwriting two showings William Hook, Rod Hubble, Phyl- includes clean climbing anchors of “Touching the Void” a documen- lis Kapp, Louisa McElwaine, Mark that are completely removable tary about mountaineers in the Nelson, Rich Nichols, Randy Pijoan, and non-marring. They carry high- Peruvian Andes. Mary Silverwood, Don Ward, Kevin quality camping gear, footwear,

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Page 16 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 Ojito Wilderness Act Passes the House, Senate Reaches 11th Hour Agreement!

onday, October 5 was a language. On Friday November 19, M momentous day in New agreement over water language Mexico; it was the day that the US was announced in a joint press House of Representatives unani- release from Senators Bingaman mously passed the Ojito Wilder- and Domenici. Domenici called the ness Act. Unanimous approval compromise a “win-win for our capped months of effort by Con- state” and Bingaman stated that gressman Tom Udall and Congress- “With just a few days left in the ses- woman Heather Wilson to win sup- sion, it’s unclear if we can get this port for what may become New legislation enacted this year. But Mexico’s fi rst new wilderness area now that we have an agreement, in seventeen years. The bill seeks we are closer than ever to designat- to protect well over 20,000 acres ing Ojito a wilderness area.” of land northwest of Albuquer- que, over 11,000 of which would It now looks like this agreement receive full wilderness status, the was reached too late to pass Ojito strongest level of protection for fed- through both houses with the same eral public lands. Passage of the act language. However, with a public in the House is a testament to the agreement in place, the legislation work our representatives put into is poised to move quickly through this legislation and also refl ects the both bodies early next year. Please broad bi-partisan coalition press- call our delegation and thank them Roadless Rule Update ing for the bill and enormous for their efforts on behalf of Ojito grassroots support from members and urge swift passage in the 109th Congress. With New Mexico’s fi rst n November 15, 2004, the Quick Facts on the of the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- Roadless Rule: ance and other environmental and new stand alone wilderness in sev- public comment period for enteen years so close to becoming the Roadless Area Conser- conservationist groups. O • The Roadless Area Conservation a reality, we can’t let up now. vation Rule came to end. In just However, for the Ojito Wilderness a little over four months, Ameri- rule protects 58.5 million acres of Senator Domenici 202-224-6621 national forest lands (including1.6 Act to become law it still needs to cans from across the country sub- pass the Senate where it had been Senator Bingaman 202-224-5521 mitted an unprecedented 1.75 mil- million in New Mexico) from most Representative Wilson 202-225-6316 commercial logging and road build- stalled because of concerns by lion comments in opposition to Senator Domenici over water rights Representative Udall 202-225-6190 the Bush Administration’s repel of ing, and is the most sweeping land the Roadless Rule. Here in New conservation measures in a gener- Mexico, over 18,000 roadless com- ation. ments were submitted. It is clear New Mexico’s Wild Places that Americans want the last 30% • Roadless areas are a source of of our Roadless National Forests recreation for nature lovers and left alone. The only question is will sportsmen; critical habitat for fi sh Need Your Help. the Bush Administration listen to and wildlife, including more than Make a tax-deductable donation today! the public or will they continue to 1600 threatened or endangered pay attention to industry compa- plants and animal species; and Call Roxanne Pacheco @ 505-843-8696 nies and lobbyists? clean water which protects more than 2,000 public watersheds and Thankfully, New Mexico has a contributes to public drinking water governor who does listen to his for 60 million Americans. OUR NATURAL constituency. Governor Bill Rich- ardson has come out in favor of • This balanced policy would allow IS protecting the Roadless Area Con- new roads to be constructed in RESOURCE servation Rule. He is working with order to fi ght fi res, ensure public other western Governors to pres- safety and allow brush clearing to OUR BUSINESS sure the Bush Administration into protect forest health. keeping the Roadless Rule intact, It is all about the water here at Ojo Caliente and not wasting taxpayer money • America’s national forests are Mineral Springs. Geothermal, pure, healing water. on implementing an erroneous new already covered with 386,000 That’s why we invested in our new waste water roadless policy. In a recent press miles of roads -- enough to circle management facility -- one of the most advanced interview, Governor Richardson the earth 15 times, and nationally private systems in the state of New Mexico -- said the record-breaking number there is a backlog of road repairs to protect our resources, our community and our of comments make clear that the that amounts to $8.4 billion. future. From honoring the sacred waters, to creating administration cannot claim a man- our own recycling program, to the utilization of date to overturn National Forest To learn more about the geothermal energy for heat, to implementing a profit 800.222.9162 protections. sharing plan for staff, Ojo Caliente Roadless Rule and to stay up-to- www.ojocalientespa.com date, visit www.nmwild.org or Mineral Springs is dedicated to sustainability. www.ourforests.org

Page 16 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 ello everyone, my name is the land that gives us everything to HAlberto A. Zavala and I’m from live: water, clean air, food, recreational Juárez, México, I’m a Lawyer gradu- spaces, etc. etc. etc…….. ated from the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, I have lived in Las “Thank you for letting me be Cruces New Mexico since October part of this great organization” 2003. I started to work for the New Hola a todos, mi nombre es Alberto Mexico Wilderness Alliance in August A. Zavala y soy originario de Cd. 2004 as an Organizer of the Hispanic Juárez, México. Yo soy Abogado grad- Community. It’s a privilege for me to uado en la Universidad Autónoma de Tablers Take Wilderness Ciudad Juárez, resido en la ciudad de Las Cruces, NM desde octubre del Vida Salvaje, 2003. Empecé a trabajar para New to the Streets Mexico Wilderness Alliance en el mes de Agosto del 2004 como Organiza- Alberto! dor de la Comunidad Hispana. Es un privilegio para mi el poder prestar mis serve this great organization, because servicios para esta gran Organización, I can inform my community of the ya que de esta manera puedo infor- wealth that exists in our lands. mar a mi comunidad de la riqueza que existe en nuestras tierras . Often the Hispanic Community, La Raza, does not become involved in Muchas veces nosotros los His- issues that affect us. It is not because panos, La Raza, no nos involucra- it does not interest us, but primarily mos en cuestiones que nos afectan a because we do not have access to per- nosotros mismos, y no es porque no tinent information. The main barrier nos interese, sino porque porque en ocasiones no tenemos la información by Nathan Newcomer adecuada para involucrarnos. Una de his past summer, the New tabling across the greater Albu- las principales barreras que encon- Mexico Wilderness Alliance querque area has made a tremen- tramos la comunidad hispana es el T took an aggressive approach dous impact in getting dozens of Idioma, debido a que muchas veces to educating New Mexicans about new members to the NMWA. “One no nos sentimos con mucha confi anza Wilderness on the streets of Albu- guy was a logger who opposed the para aprender el Inglés y son pocas querque and Las Cruces. Ten Roadless Rule. He said more roads las ocasiones que encontramos infor- Tablers joined the staff of NMWA in meant better management, but that mación adecuada en nuestro idioma. late August to spread the message doesn’t bother me. That just means that Wilderness and Wilderness we have to work that much harder. Es por esta razón que considero mi preservation are core values for all The idea of wilderness is supported trabajo como un privilegio, pues el Americans to enjoy and defend. by 95% of the folks I talk to—and informar a mi comunidad de las Tier- a lot of them put their money (and ras Silvestres es muy importante y Within two months, our Tablers time) where their mouth is.” muy gratifi cante para mi dar a conocer raised over $3,000 and signed on a la gente los benefi cios y los valores over 100 new members! More It’s never been a more exciting que se obtienen de las Tierras Silves- importantly, they gathered hun- time to educate the public on wil- tres, pues poca gente sabe que el agua dreds of signatures, letters, and derness issues and it’s never been que bebe a diario proviene de este began a long lasting community more critical than it is now. Look tipo de tierras. presence in New Mexico’s two larg- for the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- est cities. ance to continue to spread the good I have found to The Hispanic Com- En estos momentos mis esfuerzos word of Wilderness across Albu- munity’s ability to participate is the estan enfocados en proteger y res- From the many Festivals around querque and Las Cruces. But also language. Rarely are environmental taurar las Tierras Silvestres de Nuevo the state, to the universities, gro- keep your eyes open for us next issues presented in our own language. México y lo hago de corazón, pues yo cery stores, outdoors shops, and spring and summer when we will se que no es un benefi cio solo para It is for this reason that I consider my beyond, the NMWA Tablers have be making a push to table in Santa mi, sino que es un benefi cio para work to be a privilege, because inform- been a great addition to the work Fe, Taos, Silver City, Alamogordo todos, incluyendo mis hijos, nietos y ing my community about Wilderness of wilderness preservation in New and many other towns across the generaciones futuras. is very important. It is very rewarding Mexico. With their combined out- state. reach abilities, we have spread the to me to present to people the benefi ts El trabajar para esta organización se word of wilderness in New Mexico See you all on the streets…! and values that are obtained from the ha convertido en una de la cosas mas to many communities that may Wilderness, because few people know importantes para mi en estos momen- have never known of our work. If you are interested in tabling with that the water they drink every day tos, pues me ha hecho recordar cosas the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- comes from these public Lands. que había dejado en el olvido, pues “It’s an interesting way to ance, or if you would like to donate en muchas ocasiones nos concentra- meet the public,” said Albuquer- space for tabling, contact Nathan At the moment my efforts are mos solamente en otro tipo de cosas y que Tabler, Pete Courtney, whose Newcomer in Albuquerque (505- focused on protecting and restoring dejamos atrás unas de las mas impor- tabling efforts in the north valley 843-8696, [email protected]) or the wilderness in New Mexico and I tantes LA TIERRA, ya que es la tierra have paid off big. “Over all it’s been Trisha London in Las Cruces (505- do this from the heart, because is not quien nos da todo para vivir: agua, a positive reaction from the general 527-9962, [email protected]) to just to benefi t me, it is to benefi t every- aire limpio, comida, etc. etc. etc. populace. I am just so happy to be see how you can help take Wilder- body. ness to the streets! Gracias por dejarme ser parte de esta involved. I wish that we could be Work for this organization has everywhere!” gran Organización. become one of the most important Alberto Zavala “There have been a few rough things for me at the moment, because people,” said Nathan Small, whose I have begun to remember things that I left in forgetfulness, “The Land”. It is

Page 18 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 In Memory of

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance orderform P.O. Box 25464, Albuquerque, NM 87125 Mary

Name ______Wiper

Phone ______by Nathan Newcomer Street ______remember the last time I saw packed with friends, co-workers, and Mary Wiper. We were having many others. One person got up and E-mail______I lunch at the Flying Star Café in remembered something about Mary, (including Homeland Security) NMWA NEVER SHARES YOUR YOUR SHARES NEVER NMWA Nob Hill, discussing strategy for the and then another person got up, and INFORMATION WITH ANYONE!!! INFORMATION City, State, Zip ______Roadless Rule. Mary ordered a salad then another, and another. We could and was diligently taking notes, which all relate to and remember all the Item Description Qty Cost Total once they fi lled up her piece of paper, beautiful things that were being shared spilled over onto a napkin. in that room. As always, Mary was busy thinking Mary truly was a passionate not only about what we were meeting woman, not only with her work, but for, but also about the hundreds of also in her life. Many refer to her other things she always seemed to be personality as “bubbly” and I think working on. But after we fi nished that hits it right on the mark. She lunch, she let me know that she genuinely cared about others and their was fi nally going on a vacation. I plight, and possessed a bright sense of felt so happy for her. For so many hope and guidance. At the candlelight of us working in the conservation vigil in the hotel, Sonny Weahkee of movement, the big “V” word seems the Sage Council sang a prayer and to be as elusive as getting Wilderness spoke of the power of the lightning that Merchandise Total legislation signed by President Bush. took Mary’s life. I fi nd it very fi tting I gave her a hug and told her to have that a favorite quote of Mary’s, by £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance fun. George Bernard Shaw, echoed what  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard That was on a Tuesday. Sonny said. “Life is no brief candle to me. It is Card# ______Expiration Date: ______By the next Monday, the phone call came that Mary had been struck and a sort of splendid torch which I have Signature: ______killed by lightning, while hiking with got a hold of for the moment, and I friends in Breckenridge, Colorado. want to make it burn as brightly as The news was unbelievable and possible before handing it on to future Lifetime Membership Rates Will Increase In 2005: This is shocking for those of us who knew generations.” -George Bernard Shaw and worked with Mary on a regular Mary’s splendid torch burned as your last chance to become a permanent member of the basis. bright as the lightning that carried New Mexico Wilderness Alliance for $250. You can also join A few days later, a public memorial her spirit to the heavens, and it will service was held downtown at the always be present with us every step of the Friends of Wilderness monthly giving program. the way. Contact Roxanne at 505/843-8696 to get set up. La Posada hotel, and the room was

Join New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Today! You’ll not only help preserve A Big New Mexico’s Wild Places for your own enjoyment… but you’ll help insure that future generations may enjoy them too. Thank

YES! I want to be a member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!!! My contribution will go Mail your You! towards the continued protection and wilderness designation of New Mexico’s natural heritage. Tax Deductible q$25 – Individual q$100 – Contributing qOther $______Donations to: q$30 – Family q$250 – Lifetime The Woman’s Club q$50 – Supporting q$10 – Student/Senior New Mexico of Albuquerque’s Name ______Phone______Wilderness Alliance Street ______E-mail______PO Box 25464 generous donation City, State, Zip ______Albuquerque, NM of will help 87125-0464 $1000 £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance protect New Mexico’s  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard Questions? Card# ______Expiration Date: ______505/843-8696 WILD! places! Signature: ______

Page 18 Fall 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 Your pur chases will help NMWA G ET F REE sa v e N e w Me xic o ’s wildest plac es! S H I P P I N G & H A N D L I N G C heck out the gr ea t gear no w a v ailable thr ough NMWA! O N A L L O R D E R S! J an Bart elst one his ima g e w as t a ke n f ro m th e to p o f C ab e zo n p eak . Jan TB ar te ls to n e an d Eyes o f N ew M e x i co have g e n e ro us l y d o nate d this i ma g e to th e N ew M e x i co W il d e r n ess Allian ce. A limi te d nu m b e r o f o r i g i na l 24 x 36 i n ch p r i nt s a re avai l a b l e f ro m N MWA at a cos t o f $ 50 0. T h e p h oto gr ap hs Hiking will b e dr y mo unte d o n aci d - f re e N e w Me xic o N e w Me xic o ’s Hiking N e w Me xic o ’s f o a m co re. Pl e as e c a l l to o rd e r. Laur enc e P ar en t $16.50 W ilder ness A r eas: Gila W ilder ness las piedr as sa g r adas or sacr ed s tones the C omplet e Guide Bill C unnigham and Bob July an and P olly Burke $21.50 Tom Till $26.50

NMWA THERMAL MUG $12.00

T his a ttr activ e mug keeps y our W ildlands Painted! be v er ages hot 2004 P rin ts By E v elyn f or the win t er Martine z (Dawn o v er and c old in the the Rio C hama and C an- summer y onlands at Dusk) $210 Best E asy 100 Hik es in each, includes shipping D a y Hik es- San ta F e N e w Me xic o and handling . Linda & Ka tie C r aig Martin $18.50 A v ailable for a limit ed time only . Regnier $8.00

2005 Enchan ting N e w Me xic o C alendar $12 NMWA TEES $15.00 12 Beautiful N ew Me xic o landscapes b y A rtist Mary S ilv erw ood . T he NEW NMWA TEE-SHIRT S ar e in! C elebr a ting 40 Years of N ew Me xic o Wilderness , these shirts also f ea tur e the new NMWA logo on the br east. A v ailable in (01)W hit e & (02)N a tur al. S iz es M-L-XL-X XL He y WILD! Folk: Get the goods today! Use the order form on You can make an BIG impact page 19, or call 505-843-8696 M-F 10a-4p in N ew Me xic o’s futur e!

Dona t e S t ock: Av oid capital gains tax es b y dona ting

N ew Me xic o BUQUE L R NONPROFIT ORG. A Q part of y our st ocks in the name of W ilder ness U U.S. POSTAGE

Wilderness A llianc e E

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A lbuquer que , NM 87125 I PERMIT NO. 426 a t the time of y our dona tion as a char itable c on tr ibution. C on tact Ro xanne a t 505/843-8696 f or mor e inf or ma tion. L egacy Gifts: You can e xt end y our c ommitmen t t o W ilder ness far be y ond y our o wn lif etime b y including N e w Me xic o W ilder ness A llianc e in y our will or esta t e plans .