www.nmwild.org

! In this issue, we celebrate a Ñuevos Great American Original Sumariosñol! en Espa A BRIEF HISTORY OF WildernessProtection IN

by Dave Foreman

ur sense of aes- thetics, of what is beautiful in wild nature, was largely formed in the European Alps. As a society we are still mired Oin that medieval approach to landscape appreciation. Even the Jim Watts among us can marvel at the grandeur of the Tetons, the majesty of Mt. Rainier, the magnifi cence of the Colorado Rockies. As a nation, our fi rst efforts at preser- vation were directed not toward wilder- ness or ecological integrity but rather toward the spectacles and curiosities of nature —Yosemite Valley, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon. It is far more diffi cult to preserve the commonplace, the wild area of unre- markable scenery, a plant or animal that does not inspire human emotions with its beauty or nobility. It is one thing to protect the Bald Eagle, quite another to preserve Goodding’s Onion. This being so, the fi rst effort anywhere in the world to specifi cally preserve an area for its wilderness qualities is all the more noteworthy because it occurred in what is arguably the least spectacular of the Western states—New Mexico—and in an area—the headwaters of the Gila River—that, while not unattractive, is certainly not cut from the classic Alpine mold. There are no peaks rising grandly above timberline, no jewel-like lakes sparkling in glacier-carved basins. Land preservation in New Mexico 1964-2004 represents a maturing of the European approach to nature appreciation. Sun- Forty years of wilderness, sets here are stunning, there is a strik-

and it all started in New Mexico! see PROTECTION, pg. 3 s t e p h e n c a p r a • e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r

Notes from the you always get weekends off. It certainly does not mean you will be wealthy. But I think we all Executive Director would agree, that no other work has the mean- ing and rewards that protecting New Mexico’s wildest lands has for us all. It’s not a job, it’s a f you are a regular reader of New Mexico privilege. I Wild, you may be asking -not another Execu- tive Director? The answer is yes, but in this case Recently, I was at a conference with twenty we have simply reshuffl ed the deck. Former Executive Directors from across the West and Executive Director Dave Parsons is staying on in Canada. We all agreed that efforts to under- a special advisory role and I have taken over to mine wilderness and protections for wildlife allow for longer-term continuity and leadership and habitat had reached new levels of sophisti- for the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. cation. Sadly, these efforts are designed to open up some of America’America’ss wildest remaining lands I am happy to report that the organiza- so that a handful of multinational corpora- tion is moving forward in a very posi- tions can profi t. t. Across Across the the W est,West, sto- sto- tive direction. WeWe continue our fi ghtght ries of oil and gas development and to protect America’sAmerica’s wildest grass- regulations being changed or ignored land-Otero Mesa. WeWe have recently are becoming common place. WeWe hired a new Development Director,Director, can continue to point this out and TrippTripp Killin to help us pursue fund- make the case for preservation. But ing in these lean fi nancialnancial it is you as members and readers times. Our work to create that hold the key to our con- the fi rstrst wilderness wilderness in in servation future. In the end, New Mexico since 1987 politics play a major role in appears poised for suc- preservation. WritingWriting cess with the Ojito Wil- members of Con- derness Bill. gress, as cliché as it sounds, But perhaps our is vital. Meet- most important ing with Rep- mission remains resentatives on expanding our recess is even outreach to all more impor- New Mexicans who tant. Being reg- share the values that wil- istered to vote is crucial. Educating friends and derness and conservation represent. With this coming out for hearing and meetings are the issue we have added Spanish inserts and have foundations on which wilderness recently introduced a newly revamped website bills are written. at www.nmwild.org. I look forward to leading a talented Our talented staff and board continue to be team and welcome your input as we the core of our success. From outreach, to prepare to introduce our next wilder- running campaigns, to creating this newslet- ness proposal. It’s going to be an exciting and ter, working for conservation means accepting busy time in the months ahead. that you do not work forty hours a week or that

About The Cover

has set out 3 Wilderness Protection Jan Bartelstone to capture photographs of the enduring 4 The San Mateos surrealistic quality of the remaining 5 Latir Peak Road Closure undeveloped lands in New Mexico and 6 Campaign Updates surrounding states. His photographs defy time, place and geographical location. Many 7 Preserving the Desert Jaguar images are produced in multiple panels pieced 8 Nature Made the Gila River together to compose, in two dimensions, how 9 Volunteer- Bob Willis it feels to actually be at these areas. Jan uses a medium format camera exhibiting a sharpness 10 Wilderness A Bi-partisan Affair and luminosity that can sometimes fool the 12 Get Involved eye. He also uses a special giclée color process 14 Businesses for Wilderness in which original fi lm is precisely scanned and then printed on heavy etching paper. 15 Upcoming Hikes These are the most accurate and unenhanced new mexico 16 Join Us! images eclipsing traditional darkroom 17 NMWA Calendar of Events technology. Using only real fi lm, employing unique exposures and developing techniques, 18 Young Voices Jan’s images produce a sharp and luminous WILD! 18 Father of Wilderness Act painterly look without digital alteration. summer 2004 19 Contact Info for NM Delegation New Mexico WILD! Page 3 Desert from the southwest, the Great Basin and from the northwest, and the Rocky protection Mountains from the north. Wilderness preservation has a continued from page 1 long and active history in New Mexico. The Forest Service admin- Main Office istratively established their first Wil- 505/843-8696 • fax 505/843-8697 derness Area—the Gila—here in [email protected] • www.nmwild.org P.O. Box 25464 1924. Senator Clinton P. Ander- Albuquerque, NM 87125 son of New Mexico shepherded 202 Central Avenue, SE • Suite 101 the Wilderness Act during its con- Albuquerque, NM 87102 sideration in the Senate in the Las Cruces Field Office 275 N. Downtown Mall early 1960s. The nation’s first Wild Las Cruces, NM 88001 & Scenic River—the Rio Grande— 505/527-9962 was established in 1968 in north- Mission Statement ern New Mexico. Except for White The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is dedicated to the protection, restoration, Sands National Monument and San and continued enjoyment of New Andres , the Mexico’s wild lands and Wilderness areas. National Parks and Wildlife Refuges NMWA Staff in New Mexico that qualify have Las Cruces Office Trisha London, Grassroots Organizer had Wilderness Areas established. Albuquerque Office The Bisti led the way nationally Tisha Broska, Membership Coordinator for BLM Wilderness Area designa- Stephen Capra, Executive Director Tripp Killin, Development Director tion in 1984. Beating Colorado by Nathan Newcomer, Grassroots Organizer a few days in 1980, New Mexico Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager Dave Parsons, Special Assistant to the E.D. produced the first post-RARE II Michael Scialdone, Director of Wilderness National Forest Wilderness bill. Protection Board of Directors This is not to say that by pio- Wes Leonard, Chair, El Paso, TX -ing starkness about the land, the tory of the cowboy is little more Tom Mouck, Treasurer, Albuquerque, NM blending of three cultures—Indian, than 100 years long, a decade head neering Wilderness preserva- Tom Wootten, Secretary, Cortaro, AZ tion, New Mexico has fared well. Pam Eaton, Denver, CO Spanish, and Anglo—is quaint, start is significant. Dave Foreman, Albuquerque, NM but, overall, the spell this land Of 2,137,776 acres considered in Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM casts is subtle, subliminal. While The second factor, which is more the second Roadless Area Review Kathy Love, Albuquerque, NM important, is closely tied to this Carlos Provencio, Bayard, NM the hordes rush to Niagara Falls and Evaluation (RARE II) in 1977- Melissa Savage, Santa Fe, NM or to the Matterhorn, some of the Texas ranching heritage. New Mex- 79, the New Mexico Wilderness Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM ico’s landscape and weather make Study Committee recommended Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM finest of our kind—D.H. Lawrence, Rick Wiedenmann, Carlsbad, NM it more accessible than is much of 1,816,000 for Wilderness, but only Aldo Leopold, Georgia O’Keeffe, Newsletter Staff Frank Waters, Mary Austin, Edward the rest of the West: its deserts are 609,060 were designated in the Tisha Broska, Managing Editor not as hot or barren as California’s; 1980 New Mexico Wilderness bill Joe Adair, Design Editor Abbey—have been drawn to New James Broska, Copy Editor Mexico. its winters not as frigid or long as (117,530 acres were left for further Oriana Sandoval, VOCES, Inc, Translator Montana’s; its mountains lusher study). New Mexico BLM recom- New Mexico has less potential and better watered than Nevada’s. mended Wilderness for 560,328 The Artists Wilderness and fewer large roadless In this gentler terrain, ranchers acres (counting intermixed state Cover photo by J. Bartelstone, P2 photo by R. Watt and Graphic by J. Adair, P3 & P11 areas than do most Western states, have been able to punch roads and private lands) in 1986. The photos by Anthony Howell, P4-5 photos by and it would behoove us to inquire to more places than they have in New Mexico BLM Wilderness Coali- M. Scialdone, P9 Gila River photo D. Salmon, P10 photos by M. Berman, P12 Photo by into this lack. One might first sug- other Western states. Moreover, tion (including the Sierra Club and , P17 “Early Morning on the Rio gest that although New Mexico is a grazing in much of New Mexico other groups), in an excellent 230- Chama” 14x18 pastel by E. Valdez-Martinez, P20 “Confluence of the Rios Puerco/Chama” 60 x 90 very large state, fully one-third of it is year-’round, unlike the North- page book, countered with a pro- oil painting by L. McElwain is in the Great Plains where mech- ern Rockies where ranchers herd posal for 2.3 million acres in 1987. anized agriculture and the private their cows up into the mountains Wilderness ownership of land virtually pre- for only a few summer months and Logging has threatened some National Forest roadless areas The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the clude large tracts of wilderness. But run the operation by horseback. To National Wilderness Preservation System the same can be said for Colorado, make much of arid New Mexico since RARE II, mostly on the to preserve the last remaining wild lands Carson, Santa Fe, and Gila National in America. The Wilderness Act, as federal Wyoming, or Montana. available for 12-month cattle graz- policy, secures “an enduring resource of ing, stock ponds have been built to Forests. Generally, however, it is wilderness” for the people. Wilderness is Two other factors offer better capture runoff; this requires road ranching, off-road-vehicles (ORVs), defined as an area that has primarily been explanations. For one, New Mexico and oil and gas exploration and affected by the forces of nature with the access. imprint of humans substantially unno- has been inhabited and used by development that pose the most ticeable. It is an area that offers outstand- Europeans longer than have other So, the reason there is less of pervasive dangers to unprotected ing opportunity for solitude or a primitive or unconfined type of recreation, and an areas of the West. The Span- the Big Outside in New Mexico is wilderness in New Mexico. area that contains ecological, geological, ish have been in northern New because the land is dry, but not too or other features of scientific, educational, Mexico continuously since 1693 dry; is rough, but not too rough; Aldo Leopold challenged New scenic, or historical value. and thus New Mexican villagers and because cattlemen here have Mexico and the nation in 1924 have used the high mountains for had a longer time to fully exploit when he engineered the designa- sheep pasturage and have diverted the public lands. tion of the . That the streams for irrigation for almost challenge—to radically alter our three hundred years. More signifi- New Mexico, ecologically, is a fundamental relationship with cantly, the first cattle frontier after complex state, a meeting-ground of the land, to become again a plain Texas was New Mexico, and ranch- ecosystems: the Great Plains from member of the biotic community— Thank you, WILD OATS, for your support! ers in New Mexico today tend to be the east, the Chihuahuan Desert has yet to be met. New Mexico WILD! is available at all from the southeast, the Sierra WILD OATS stores in Albuquerque. more “Texan” than do ranchers in Adapted from The Big Outside (1992). other western states. When the his- Madre from the south, the Sonoran

New Mexico WILD! Page 3 d i s c o v e r ew N Mexico New Mexico’s Least Visited by Nathan Newcomer Wilderness: The San Mateos A Journey into the Kid and Withington

the most popular of long drives over diffi cult dirt roads. the two, yet the area Beyond the trails through narrow still receives a low canyons, the rugged, dry terrain is amount of human spotted with unstable volcanic rock traffi c. Ridges and val- debris. In Potato Canyon, the rock leys in the formations have a curious lami- are typifi ed by steep, nar quality, like thin sheets, while craggy, rock out- near the canyon’s head they have crops. Rock glaciers eroded into giant knobs reminis- of rhyolite boulders cent of potatoes. slump down from the peaks. In the foothills So give the heavily used Sandia, and lower slopes, roll- Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo Moun- ing grasslands thrive tains a rest for a while and head among pinon-juni- south on I-25 to visit the San Mateo per trees, yucca, and Mountains, or join the New Mexico other plants of the Wilderness Alliance as we lead a Upper Sonoran life weekend outing to the Withington zone. As elevation Wilderness in early October. Come rises, the Apache Kid experience some of the wildest opens up into true and least visited wilderness in New ponderosa pine for- Mexico: the San Mateos! ests and, still higher, Adapted from New Mexico’s Wilderness Areas, The ying for the title of “New jagged ridges, and vegetation rang- aspen and spruce crowd the hill- Complete Guide, by Bob Julyan, Westcliffe Publishing. Mexico’s Least Visited ing from desert scrub to montane sides. In places like Indian Creek, Wilderness Area” are six conifer forest. These are areas deep serpentine canyons rise up unique wild lands that where savage and gentle beauty like monolithic sculptures, provid- Fast stretchV from the Central Rio Grande complement one other, and where ing habitat for many raptors, birds corridor, down through the Datil- geographic isolation, diffi cult road and bats, while leading the hiker Mogollon Volcanic Plateau, and access, forbidding terrain, and lack through a geographic maze of fas- FACTS across to the Desert Southeast. of obvious attractions make them cinating natural artwork. * However, four of these six wilder- both some of New Mexico’s wildest Apache Kid Fast Facts Though human visitation is min- ness areas were not designated wilderness. Location: Southern San Mateo with visitors in mind. Rather their imal, this gives the adventur- Mountains, northwest of T or C wilderness designation was primar- In 1919, conservationist Aldo ous hiker the distinct possibility of Size: 44,650 acres Leopold described a hunting trip Elevation Range: 7,000 - 10,336 ily centered on complementing two encountering creatures commonly feet at West Blue Mountain National Wildlife Refuges. he’d taken in the San Mateos, then seen making their way across the Miles of Trails: 62 within the Datil National Forest rugged terrain, like Coue’s white- Administration: —Magdalena Ranger Dis- The for (now Cibola National Forest): tailed deer, , black bears, bob- trict (505) 854-2381 example, which is near Roswell, cats, , antelope, javelina, Getting There: Access to the NM has no designated trails and “The Datil Forest, from the sports- , , squirrels, and Apache Kid is on long, often man’s standpoint, is the cream of rough dirt forest roads, the main is maintained to complement the quail. one being Forest Road 225, nearby Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge. the Southwest, and there is no which heads west toward the Likewise, the upper Chihuahuan part of the Datil country as interest- wilderness from Highway 1 near I-25 north of Truth or Conse- Desert Wilderness Areas of Little ing to hunt in as the San Mateos. The mountain slopes in the With- quences. San Pascual, Chupadera, and It is a very rough region with a ington are dry and steep, and while Indian Wells were all designated to fair amount of water, and endless Withington Fast Facts game trails fl ourish, human trails complement the natural wetlands miles of yellow [ponderosa] pine are few and far between. Ponder- Location: Southwest of Magda- of the Bosque del Apache Wildlife forest interspersed with oak and lena, in the northern San Mateo osa pine, Douglas fi r, box elder, Refuge. pinon. Any year that the oak fails Mountains cottonwood, juniper, and Arizona Size: 18,869 acres to produce acorns it is pretty certain Elevation Range: 6,675 - 10,116 On the other hand, the Withington that the pinons will produce nuts, walnut thrive in the canyon bot- Miles of Trails: 18 and Apache Kid Wildernesses, both so that game is nearly always hog- toms. The arid slopes have charac- Administration: Cibola National teristic cacti, yucca, pinon pine, and Forest—Magdalena Ranger Dis- nestled in the San Mateo Moun- rolling fat.” trict (505) 854-2381 tains northwest of Truth or Conse- scrub oak—all plants of the Upper Getting There: Forest Road 549 quences were designated with vis- Were Aldo Leopold to return to Sonoran Desert. This diversity of heads south from Highway 60 the San Mateos today, he’d fi nd plant life fosters abundant wild- west of Magdalena to connect itors in mind. Nevertheless, these with Forest Roads 138 and 330 rugged Wildernesses both arguably them just as wild as he did 80 years life, including , elk, wild as they go along the Withington ago—perhaps even wilder! turkeys, mountain lions and black Wilderness’s western and south- vie for the title of New Mexico’s ern boundaries. From Magda- Least Visited Wilderness Area. bears. lena, Highway 107 heads south, where the smaller and rougher Both the Withington and Apache For the adventurous hiker, there Forest Road 52 provides access This southern wilderness in the are a few trails that take you into to the wilderness’s eastern and Kid are remote wildernesses fi lled northern sections. with deep canyons, steep slopes, San Mateo Mountains is probably the wilderness, but all involve

Page 4 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 Latir Peak gettingout Wilderness Road Closure! there by Michael Scialdone

Outings sponsored by the New supplies and NMWA Mexico Wilderness Alliance have would provide the mostly been focused on two activ- volunteers. The ities – helping inventory remain- positive response ing wild lands across New Mexico was heartening. and day hikes / campouts to places There are many all over the state where we educate who enjoy the out- people about wilderness issues. We doors and under- have now expanded our outings stand the need to program to include service proj- help with its pro- ects such as the Latir Peak Wilder- tection and restora- ness Road Closure that took place tion. A meeting of over the June 5th weekend. Thanks the Latir Neighbor- to a collaborative effort between the hood Association , the New provided an excel- Mexico Wilderness Alliance, and lent forum for out- twenty-three hardworking volun- reach to local res- teers, those seeking quiet and soli- idents who knew tude in the are the area well. Many less likely to have their experience were glad to see spoiled from the noise and fumes that a problem that of the ever-increasing public lands had frustrated them menace of ATVs. for so long was fi nally being dealt BACKGROUND: In the late sixties, with. pass is illegal and will no longer be If you would like to be con- before the designation of Latir Peak tolerated. tacted for NMWA service proj- as Wilderness, a bulldozer opera- June 5th was chosen to coincide ects, call Michael Scialdone at the tor was hired to blaze a path to a with the annual National Trails Day. FUTURE PROJECTS: NMWA ABQ offi ce at 505-843-8696 or uranium mining claim. The road Twenty-three diligent volunteers of would love to report that the Latir email him at [email protected]. To started at the community of El Rito all different ages and walks of life Wilderness was an isolated incident receive email announcements of and went deep in to the heart of the turned out, ready to work, and work of this type of violation, but it unfor- all our events, actions, and out- mountains, ending above tree line hard they did. Team leaders were tunately is not. ings, go to www.nmwild.org, and at the base of Virsylvia Peak. This chosen and teams formed – one click on Subscribe under the Take action was illegal and the Forest ‘water’ team and three ‘hole-and- This project was the fi rst of many to deal with the onslaught of ATVs Action menu or send an e-mail to: Service went in shortly afterward cement’ teams. The plan was to [email protected]. and constructed large dirt mounds cement 6” pipes in to berms at stra- into Wilderness and de facto wil- to prevent further use. tegic spots where rock outcrops and derness. We are currently look- vegetation made bypass diffi cult. ing at doing closures in the Col- Working together to keep For over 30 years, the mountain The pipes and eighty-pound bags umbine – Hondo Wilderness Study Wilderness WILD! has slowly been reclaiming the road; of cement were wheel-barrowed to Area (likely October 2nd) and the its use converted to a trail for horses each berm, then, water was hauled (to be deter- By Aimee Deans, El Rito and hikers until the modern-day from a nearby creek, post-holes mined). We have also been involved assault of ATVs. Ignoring signs and were dug, pipes were placed in in an effort to restore a spring in the Closing the Primero Canyon wil- barriers, the dirt mounds merely holes, and cement was mixed and Sierra Ladrones WSA and are look- derness trail to ATVs was fun. It was adding to their entertainment, ATV poured. By the time a table was set ing to do more projects of this type, good to help out because I love wil- riders have illegally used the old out for a healthy lunch, most of the as well. derness areas and keeping them road to get well in to the Wilder- work had been done. wild makes them so special. The ness where they have put up ‘back- Our service projects will keep a crew was really great, friendly, ener- country hotel’ size camps, and were In all, thirty-fi ve pipes were focus on Wilderness protection and getic, and helpful. A lot of people even so brazen as to take in equip- cemented in to place. They will ecological restoration. Giving back showed up with the same intention ment to do maintenance. allow hikers and horse-packers con- to the land is a rewarding experi- of keeping the wilderness wild. The tinued access while blocking motor- ence and we invite you to join in. job went easily and quickly. It took THE PROJECT: After learning of ized trespass. To try and prevent All of us are needed. Even if you one day to complete because every- the intrusion through Rob Deyer- vandalism, the volunteers agreed can’t swing a pick and lug cement, one worked well together. We all berg of the Carson National Forest, to monitor the site to keep a pres- there is lighter labor to be done as hope that the barriers will hold and NMWA offered to help. We did a ence established and report viola- well as helping with transportation, deter ATVs users, so the wilderness site visit to determine what would tions. If violations happen, dealing lunch prep, organizing before the can stay wild forever. be needed and went to work. The with them quickly will send a clear event, etc. Forest Service would provide the message that the motorized tres-

Page 4 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 Walk for Wilderness

September 18th - Join NMWA, under. Proceeds from the event will The Forest Service and REI on help fund a joint Wilderness Resto- National Public Lands Day in a Walk ration project between NMWA and for Wilderness at the Sandia Crest. the Forest Service. For more infor- campaign updates Pre-register at REI and get a 40th mation, or if you’d like to have a Anniversary of Wilderness T-shirt booth at the event, please contact and goody bag. Cost will be $12 Deidre St.Louis at 505/842-3234. Governor Richardson Continues for adults and $6 for kids 12 and to Fight for Otero Mesa El Gobernador Richardson continúa a luchar por la

his past March, Governor Rich- ernor’s proposed alternative by Mesa de Otero T ardson once again kept his issuing a Supplement to their orig- promise to work to protect New inal plan, which proposes to pro- Mexico’s largest and wildest grass- tect 35,790 acres for Aplomado español land, Otero Mesa, from oil and Falcon habitat, but failed to address gas development. The Gover- his Consistency Review. The BLM nor issued a Consistency Review Supplement was then opened for ste marzo pasado, el to the Bureau of Land Manage- public comment from May 28th ELECTION 2004 Gobernador Richard- Your Vote Counts!!! ment (BLM), saying that, “I have to June 28th. Thank you to all who E son reafi rmó su promesa de found numerous inconsistencies took the time to send in your com- If you are not registered to with state laws, rules, policies, pro- ments, including Albuquerque trabajar para proteger a la Mesa de Otero de la explor- vote, please contact Nathan grams, and plans, particularly those Mayor Martin Chavez (see below.) at 505-843-8696. In this that relate to protecting the Chi- ación de gas y petróleo. En la important election, everyone huahuan Desert and New Mexico’s Governor Richardson reaf- Mesa de Otero se encuentran should vote! Consider voting ground water.” The Governor called fi rmed his dedication to Otero las vegas más amplias en by absentee ballot - its easy! for the creation of a National Con- Mesa in a press conference on July Nuevo México. El Goberna- Call the NMWA offi ce for servation Area (NCA), which would 14th with actor Robert Redford. dor emitió un estudio decla- more information or e-mail protect over 640,000 acres of the The Governor stated that Otero rando que “He encontrado [email protected] fragile Chihuahuan Desert ecosys- Mesa was his number one environ- varias inconsistencias con las tem in Otero Mesa. mental priority. leyes, las reglas, las pólizas, los programas, y los planes Ojito Update The BLM responded to the Gov- del estado, particularmente cuando se tratan de prote- he Act (S. ger el Desierto Chihuahuense T 1649/H.R. 3176) is working y el agua subterráneo de its way through Congress and the Thanks, Mayor! Nuevo México.” El goberna- prospects for protecting the fi rst Dear Director Rundell: so heavily on subterranean dor exigió la creación de una new Wilderness in New Mexico since 1987 look very good! The Thank you for the chance to sources for our drinking Area de Conservación Nacio- water, we also need to be fully nal, que protegería más de House Resources Committee is comment on the proposal to holding a hearing on the bill on open up Otero Mesa to energy satisfi ed that the groundwater 640,000 acres del frágil eco- in the area would be safe from sistema del Desierto Chihua- July 20th and we are hopeful that exploration and development. Senate action on the measure will contamination. I, for one, do huense que están localizados quickly follow. As you will recall, Few issues of late have not believe this concern has en la Mesa de Otero. this measure, would designate the generated the level of interest been adequately addressed to approximately 11,000 acre Ojito or concern that the proposal date. La Administración de to open up Otero Mesa to la Dirección de Terrenos Wilderness Area northwest of Albu- I therefore urge you to honor fossil fuels development has. respondió al plan alterna- querque and allow the Pueblo of the wishes and concerns This area is clearly in need tivo propuesto por el gober- Zia to purchase some adjacent land of so many New Mexicans of more protection than it nador emitiendo un apé- currently managed by the Bureau who worry about a fragile currently rates, and the ndice a su plan original. El of Land Management which holds ecosystem and potential important religious and cultural sig- overwhelming input of the apéndice propone prote- groundwater contamination, nifi cance to the people of Zia. interested New Mexico public ger 35,790 acres de terreno needs to carry greater weight and put potential drilling que incluyen la habitación This bill is supported by a wide with federal policy makers at Otero Mesa on hold until del halcón aplomado. Sin array of Pueblos, businesses, con- than I fear it has to date. a plan acceptable to New Mexico’s conservationist embargo, el apéndice no se servation groups and local and While I understand that community and wilderness refi ere a los planes alternati- state elected offi cials including energy supplies are presently advocates is developed. vos presentados en el estu- Governor Richardson, State Land tight, and that the consumer dio emitido por el goberna- Commissioner Patrick Lyons, the is feeling the pinch at the Thank you for consideration dor. El apéndice emitido por bi-partisan Sandoval County Com- pump, I do not believe opening of this most critical New la Administración de la Direc- mission, the bi-partisan Albuquer- Mexico issue. up new leases when so many ción de Terrenos fue presen- que City Council, and the bi-parti- of the existing ones are yet to Sincerely, tado para comentario público san Bernalillo County Commission, be exploited is the answer. Martin J. Chavez desde el 28 de mayo hasta el among others. 28 de junio. And as a state that relies Mayor See Page 12 for more information.

Page 6 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 Preserving the Desert Jaguar

ern Mexican state of Sonora near the conservation groups, including the confluence of the Aros and Yaqui Northern Jaguar Project, Defenders of Rivers, just 120 miles south of the Wildlife and the Wildlands Project, to español international boundary. accomplish this by building local sup- port for conservation, acquiring stra- This unique ecological area hosts tegic ranches to protect jaguar hab- between 70-100 jaguars, as well as os imaginamos al itat, minimizing predator/livestock jaguar como un gato numerous other rare species includ- conflicts and implementing programs grande moviéndose ing ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), mil- which will change the local commu- N itary macaws (Ara militaris), lilac- nity’s perception of the jaguar from a silenciosamente dentro de crowned parrots (Amazona finschi), liability to an asset. un bosque tropical. Poca bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocepha- gente sabe que el jaguar ha lus), Neotropical river otters (Lontra Our long- term goal is to recover vagado por las montañas longicaudis) and Gila monsters (Helo- jaguars throughout a significant por- áridas del noroeste de Méxi- derma suspectum), among others. tion of their historic range by expand- co desde que primero apare- ing this population in Mexico and Jaguars are, along with mountain ció en este continente. Hoy by preserving habitat connectiv- en día, la pérdida de su hab- Oscar Moctezuma O. lions (Puma concolor), the top preda- ity for dispersal and re-colonization itación natural y la cacería General Director Naturalia, A.C. tors in the area and their natural prey into appropriate areas in the U.S. include white tailed deer (Odocoileus Recovering the American jaguar in excesiva han resultado en virginianus), javalina (Tayassu pecari) the U.S. depends on protecting the convertir al jaguar en una de When we hear someone mentions and hares (Lepus callotis). Unfortu- last remaining population in north- las especies que está en peli- the jaguar (Panthera onca), the first nately, the main productive activity in ern Mexico. gro de extinción en México. image we get is one of the big cat the area, the cattle ranching, has sup- Dentro de los últimos cuatro moving quietly through the tropical plied them with an additional prey: In July 2003, Naturalia purchased años, al menos 27 jaguares forest in search of its prey. Although cows. a ranch in the core area used by jag- han sido matados por ran- this is a correct vision of the typical uars, establishing a foothold in the cheros y cazadores ilegales. habitat in which this species lives, it Occasional cattle killings have community for conservation. From Esta cantidad de jaguares doesn’t show a complete image of increased the rejection to jaguars and this area, we’ll continue our work to the adaptability of the largest wild cat mountain lions and has moved some preserve the biodiversity of the area es un tercio de la población of the American Continent, which has ranchers to kill them in spite of being and look for productive alternatives pequeña de los jaguares de- adapted to other natural conditions an illegal action (jaguars are protected for the local community. This way we sérticos. Naturalia, un grupo that have very little similarity to the by law in Mexico but there is almost hope to find a way to build a tolerant mexicano conservacionista, tropical forest. no law enforcement on the ground). attitude toward jaguars and increase está trabajando para recu- community acceptance for them and perar a la población de los Within the last four years, at least Perhaps we can find the most dra- support for its conservation. jaguares en un área signifi- matic example of this adaptability in 27 jaguars, including females and kit- cante de su terreno natural the case of the northernmost popula- tens, have been killed by ranchers To save the desert jaguar is a chal- histórico. Naturalia propone tion of this species that lives in North- and poachers – as much as one-third lenge that offers an opportunity for west Mexico in the arid mountains of this small but critical population. It bi-national collaboration and a hope realizar su misión ampliando of the state of Sonora. Here, sur- would be a shame to allow the total to maintain the vital role of this mag- la población de jaguares en rounded by a strange combination extermination of these magnificent nificent creature in the North-Ameri- México y preservando su of plants, including big cacti, fig trees, predators and lose this unique popu- can desert. habitación natural para re- palms and oaks, among others, jag- lation, the jaguar of the desert. introducir a los jaguares en uars have lived perfectly adapted las áreas apropiadas en los Strategic efforts are underway to since they first appeared in this con- Estados Unidos. tinent. stem these losses, to recover jaguars throughout a Today, however, this powerful significant por- predator has disappeared from more tion of their his- than half of its original range and is toric range and rapidly declining in the regions in to conserve the which they have survived to this day. unique biologi- Habitat loss, fragmentation and over- cal diversity of hunting, have contributed to place this threatened the jaguar among the most endan- borderland eco- gered species in Mexico and in most system. of its entire range. Naturalia, Nowhere is this more apparent A.C., a Mexi- than in the United States-Mexico bor- can conserva- derlands where, within one human tion group, has lifetime, the unique American jaguar decided to work has been virtually eliminated from for the pres- its entire U.S. range. The last resi- ervation and dent animals were hunted in South- recovery of the west U.S. more than sixty years ago. desert jaguar. While individual jaguars continue to To accomplish be documented in the mountains of this goal, Natu- Southern Arizona and New Mexico, ralia has part- these are dispersers from the near- nered with sev- est surviving population in the north- eral American

Page 6 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 Nature Made the Gila River By Dutch Salmon

f New Mexico’s six main- brews over this water. Is this what feet from the Colorado River, and stem rivers, only the Gila God intended for the Gila River? only surplus “fl ood fl ows” from the still fl ows free. Of our Gila were to be captured in New O A 1968 Congressional Act (Public español nation’s many wilderness areas, Mexico. Many readers will recall only the Gila is our nation’s fi rst. Of Law 90-537) authorized as part of the Conner Dam proposal of the sporting fi sh, only the smallmouth the Central Arizona Project (CAP), 1980s, which sought to capture Representantes legislativos bass earns the accolade “the 18,000 acre feet (af) of Gila River and develop this water while sat- de los condados de Grant, gamest fi sh that swims.” I stand water for New Mexico, provided isfying the economic injury clause Luna, Hidalgo y Catron in the free fl ow of the Gila River, the project did not cause “eco- and fi scal and environmental con- esperan obtener 18,000 fl y rod in hand, in pursuit of the nomic injury” to downstream users cerns. pies de acre de agua del Río wild bronze bass and the scene is in Arizona. To protect these down- Gila que fueron autorizados so bucolic, and the concurrence of stream entities (mostly Gila River Ultimately, this project was en el Acta de Congreso qualities so rare, it is hard to imag- Indian tribes), Arizona users were shelved by the Bureau of Recla- de 1968 como parte del ine that over the mountains turmoil to be compensated by 18,000 acre mation (BOR) and the 18,000 af, Proyecto Arizona Central. though technically still “autho- Los anteriores intentos de rized,” was never funded. That capturar el agua fueron could change with the current abandonados, pero eso Arizona Water Settlements Act podría cambiar con el actual New Mexico Wildlife Federation (S. 437) which has reached the Acta de Establecimiento U.S. Senate fl oor. Designed to de Agua de Arizona, la cual settle long-standing water issues está en consideración por President Appears on between Indian tribes and water el Senado Estadounidense. users in New Mexico and Ari- “Hippest Comedy Show in America” Diseñado para resolver los zona, the New Mexico dele- asuntos de agua históricos gation is working hard to see entre los pueblos indígenas y that funding for the act includes on the nationally televised comedy los consumidores de agua en money to build the New Mexico show. Nuevo México y Arizona, la unit of the CAP. Simpson appeared on the pro- delegación Nuevo Mexicana gram along with New Mexico Recent meetings in Silver City está trabajando duro para rancher Tweeti Blancett to tell have sought to establish a Joint asegurar que los fondos para America that hunters care deeply Powers Commission of local 4- el Acta incluyen dinero para about protecting our environ- county representatives (Grant, capturar el agua del Río Gila. ment and wildlife for generations Luna, Hidalgo and Catron Coun- to come. In particular, Simpson ties) to contract for this water. Actualmente, una coalición and Blancett talked about Otero Grant County Attorney Jack Hiatt de ciudadanos preocupados Mesa and the federal government’s spoke of a “window of opportu- cree que dejar él Rió Gila en su unfortunate lack of respect for the nity” provided by S.437 to give estado natural es en el mejor wildlife and groundwater resources New Mexico its rightful share interés de la gente. Debemos found there. The Daily Show sent a of the Gila River. Catron County de reconocer que en fi n es reporter and cameraman to New representative Howard Hutchin- nuestra responsabilidad de Mexico to cover the story. son said, “There is no doubt – cuidar y proteger el Río Gila this is not only our best chance para las generaciones futuras The television program shows (to capture the water), it’s our en vez de discutir sobre quien Simpson telling the reporter last chance.” All of the munici- debe tener el acceso a esta Makes America Laugh for point blank, “President Bush pal and county representatives provisión de agua natural y the Good of Otero Mesa doesn’t care about Otero Mesa.” for the 4-county Joint Powers posiblemente destruir este The reporter’s response will give Commission were unanimous in regalo precioso. If you don’t have cable or satellite you an idea of how The Daily Show support of New Mexico’s efforts television, you’ve probably never differs from standard news. to capture the 18,000 af via the heard of “The Daily Show With Jon Arizona Water Settlements Act. “Won’t people just say it’s all so failed. I was a member of the New Stewart.” The Daily Show has been predictable?” the reporter asks Mexico Interstate Stream Commis- called the “hippest show in Amer- Many citizens in the audience Simpson, “Aren’t you just another sion at the time and I well remem- ica” and has become extremely weren’t in agreement with their one of those gun-toting, NRA-sup- ber when the BOR pulled the plug popular as a comedy program that elected offi cials, however, and porting, pickup-truck driving, anti- on the Conner Dam. The agency, fi nds the funny side of real news— it’s too bad the New Mexico del- Bush people?” as required by law, did a cost/ delivering laughs to millions of egation, and Governor Richard- son, weren’t in attendance to benefi t analysis, comparing the fea- Americans every evening. Missed the program? You hear their reasons why the proj- sibility of developing water on the can still see the clip online at Nobody appears on The Daily ect should not proceed. I will try river via the $100 million Conner Show without being poked fun at, www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/ds/ to sum up their concerns, and Dam vs. the possibility of local gov- but NMWF President Oscar Simp- Click on “correspondents,” then mine. ernment purchase of existing water son didn’t hesitate when he got “Samantha Bee,” then “Kill Drill” to rights. They found that there were the call requesting that he appear view the clip. First, it is worth noting why thousands of acre feet of unused the Conner Dam proposal water rights lying fallow in both the

Page 8 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Volunteer Profile Bob Willis

by Stephen Capra There are many people who step in at critical moments to help the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance in our efforts to protect wildlands in our state. However, few people have stepped forward and given as generously as filmmaker and head of The Image Exchange, Bob Willis. I met Bob in the early days of our fight to protect Otero Mesa. With 30-second commercials averaging $28,000 it was unlikely we would be getting our message out on the airwaves. Bob Willis stepped up and put together not one- but two- commercials at no cost to our orga- nization. These commercials had a dramatic impact on our ability to get the issue of Otero Mesa to a broader audience. But Bob did not stop there. When our Otero Mesa Public Forum was held at the Kimo in January, it was again Bob who was there to record the event and Mimbres and Gila basins and that State Engineer John D’Antonio said: Creek with a large pumping station later to edit the event into a com- purchase of such rights would be “We believe we can build a suitable on the river to capture the occa- pelling 8-minute piece that has had about half the cost per acre foot of project for approximately $220 sional flood events. Mangas Creek a big impact on viewers and fund- developing river water. Where then million —In the settlement, New is a perennial flow in its own right, ing resources. was the rationale for a $100 million Mexico has proposed, and Ari- a prime riparian area that may hold water project? zona is considering $150 million in one or more threatened or endan- funding for the New Mexico unit … gered species. Nearly 20 years later that ratio- New Mexico would have to make nale appears even weaker. Accord- provision for at least $70 million in A more serious concern may be ing to the recently completed construction costs plus substantial the “capture” of flood flows by a Southwest (NM) Regional Water annual costs.” large pumping station. It is well plan, Chino Mines (Phelps Dodge) known that flood events rejuvenate groundwater rights in the Mim- Seventy-plus million dollars is a riparian habitats and thereby spe- bres Basin total approximately very substantial sum in the state cies up and down the food chain. 25,000 af; actual use in 2002 – budget of New Mexico. For the The Gila River persists through about 5,000 af. Over the Continen- local (4-county) taxpayers, upfront droughts and counts its floods as tal Divide in the Gila Basin, Tyrone energy costs were considered at revival events. It is the last major Mines (Phelps Dodge) holds nearly the Joint Powers meeting of $74/ flow remaining in the state that can 11,000 af of water rights (plus 2100 af – about $1.3 million per year, a teach us what a natural river should af in the Mimbres basin); actual use scary sum at the local level. Should look like. at their mine and Gila farm – about local and state taxpayers be asked Bob is an accomplished film- 6,000 af. The total unused allot- to pony up this kind of money for Rather than new diversion and maker whose clients include the ment equates to over 25,000 af. a water project that is clearly not consumption, New Mexico should State of New Mexico, the Uni- needed, just to keep Arizona from take its funding from the Arizona versity of New Mexico, the New This is not to criticize the mining getting that water? Water Settlements Act and use it Mexico Department of Forestry, corporation, which has done a gen- for watershed and riparian restora- the City of Gallup, Senior Arts, Rio erally good job of land and water Remember: in a region with little tions, in-stream flows, and the pur- Grande Jewelry and the list goes stewardship in the Gila Valley, growth, costs will have to be paid chase of idle water rights for even- on. Recently, Bob’s latest film “Rio but to point out the obvious: a yearly whether there are buyers tual allocation according to needs. Grande, Live River or Ditch,” aired small portion of what the corpo- for the water or not. And Deming on KUNM-TV. The Image Exchange ration is not now using would sat- and Lordsburg, and Catron County, Standing in the free flow of the was established in 1986 in Albu- isfy Municipal and Industrial use in would appear to be too distant geo- Gila River in pursuit of sporting fish, querque. It specializes in produc- Grant County for decades to come. graphically to make use of Gila the in-stream values of the Gila are ing documentary, educational and Indeed, there are more local water River water. Finally, construction incumbent in the view. A coalition training programs for non-profit, rights lying fallow than could be costs alone would leave the 18,000 of anglers, hunters, birdwatchers, government and corporate clients provided by the New Mexico unit af costing more than $12,000/af. hikers, river runnersand fiscal con- in New Mexico. They offer full ser- vice pre-production, production of the CAP. servatives – believes it best serves A discussion of possible envi- the people left in its natural state. and post production. Meanwhile, the cost of new ronmental conflicts and concerns Bob Willis has given a gift to the water development has jumped. would take another column. I will Nature made the Gila River. Its future, however, is in our hands. preservation of wildlands across In a statement to the Senate Energy note here that a mainstream dam New Mexico. He is a great friend and Natural Resources Committee is not being considered, but rather whose generosity and hard work in September, 2003, New Mexico an off-stream reservoir in Mangas have made a real difference!

Page 8 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Wilderness: A Bi-partisan Affair

by Stephen Capra his tenure, including the first bill to move through congress, the ilderness has always 145,118 acre San Rafael Wilder- been a bi-partisan politi- ness near Santa Barbara, California. W cal issue. In New Mexico, The Nixon Administration would much of the wilderness we enjoy follow and while the total acre- today is the result of the dedication age of designated wilderness was of wilderness activists and efforts not as dramatic-1.6 million acres- by Senators there were tremendous efforts and . However, the made to process hundreds of rec- spirit that came from the passage ommendations of lands for wilder- of the 1964 Wilderness Act seems Following Nixon’s resignation, While the majority of Americans ness designation. Locally, Wilder- Gerald Ford took over the Presi- once held strong support for con- at times to have faded completely ness bills included the Salt Creek from sight as we prepare to cele- dency for three years. During this servation measures, public opinion Wilderness near Roswell, which time 3.1 million acres of wilder- became more divided as special brate the 40th anniversary of the was established in 1970. It was Act that to date has protected some ness were designated, including interests pushed an agenda that also during the Nixon years that 30,287 acres of riverside forest was hard on the land, but sweet for 105 million acres of land across then Interior Secretary, Rogers C. B. America. in the Bosque del Apache and investors. This was also the time Morton, worked through the com- 23,267 acres of desert canyons when conservative talk radio began With the signing of the Wilderness plex Alaska Native Claims Settle- and cliffs in Bandelier National to hit the airwaves. In those times Act, some 9.1 million acres of land ment Act. The resolution of which Monument. The key to these suc- listeners were few, so controver- became wilderness with the stroke laid the groundwork for the historic cesses remained strong bi-partisan sial subjects were needed to liven of President Johnson’s pen, includ- Alaska Lands Act of 1981. Many of support. But it was Jimmy Carter up the conversation. The environ- ing the nation’s first wilderness-the the lands identified in the Nixon who would set the standard for ment became an easy target. But Gila. Johnson would add another years became some of the core wil- wilderness preservation. During even as trouble was brewing, Pres- 800,000 acres of wilderness during derness areas in the Carter Bill. his Presidency, Carter focused on ident Reagan signed into law the Alaska and pushed for passage of creation of some 10.6 million acres the Alaska Lands Act. When Con- of wilderness nationally, includ- gress was stalling and filibustering, ing in New Mexico the creation Carter and Interior Secretary, Cecil of the Bisti-De-Na-Zin, West Mal- Andrus, created a 100 million acre pais and areas. national monument of Alaska lands While Reagan may have fought in 1978. This changed the politi- many environmental policies, he cal dynamics and Congress moved was, with a few exceptions, willing on legislation. In 1979 the House to protect land on a truly national passed a strong bill only to have scale. the Senate committee approve a much weaker bill. With the election The first Bush Presidency would of Ronald Reagan, conservationists follow Reagan’s. While George were forced to accept the weaker senior would promote drilling in bill, but it still was historic in size. the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, On December 2, 1980 the Alaska he would also go on to protect National Interest Lands Conserva- over 4 million acres of wilderness tion Act was signed into law by the across the nation, including 90,000 outgoing President Carter. In all, 55 acres in the Ruby Mountains of million acres of wilderness were Nevada, 25,370 acres at Point added to the system, doubling its Reyes National Seashore in Califor- size in a day. nia and 40,000 acres of desert and arid forest at Wabayuma Peak in During the Reagan Presidency, Arizona, to name a few. the whole issue of the environment became more of a political football In the first years of the Clinton with the elevation of people like Administration, wilderness bills Jim Watt to positions of real power. moved forward, including the cre- ation of the California Desert Pro-

Page 10 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 tection Act which protected some of the Clinton Administration that 3.6 million acres of wilderness in in addition to the 9.5 million acres southern California. But the Newt of wilderness he had already pro- Gingritch Revolution of 1994, tected, the President did an extraor- resulting in Republican control of dinary thing. Through his use of the haps helps to explain the relative Udall and Congresswoman Wilson. the House of Representatives, put Antiquities Act, he would go on to low amount of wilderness created In the end, that bi-partisan support a serious chill on the protection protect lands as National Monu- thus far in the Bush Administra- should be the key, once again, to of our public lands. In fact, during ments. It began with the contro- tion, about 500,000 acres total. In its passage. the following two years of the versial Grand Staircase-Escalante May, Pombo sent a letter to fellow 105th Congress not a single acre National Monument in Utah, which members of the House explain- The other positive news is that of wilderness was created. It was at 1,870,800 acres was larger than ing his new rules for consideration never before has the conserva- during this time that the oil and any National Park in the state. of areas for wilderness. His crite- tion community been as large gas, mining and power companies Before his term ended, President ria, fi lled with dogma designed to and strong! Although recent drops more openly set up shop in Wash- Clinton would protect close to 5 expedite the declassifi cation of Wil- in funding have had an impact, ington D.C. million acres in 15 new National derness Study Areas, seemed pri- twenty years ago we were a quar- Monuments, including the spectac- marily designed to halt new wilder- ter of the size we are today. From By the 106th Congress wilder- ular Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks area offi ces in Washington, D.C. to fi eld ness was once again a bi-parti- ness legislation. Though not legally here in New Mexico. binding, as head of the Commit- offi ces in Las Cruces we are far san affair and the result was the better prepared to fi ght bad bills passage of several important bills Since coming into Offi ce, George tee, his personal agenda carries tre- mendous weight in blocking legis- and promote good wilderness leg- including: the Dugger Mountains W. Bush has shown little of the bi- islation. Training, the internet and in Alabama; the Black Rock Desert partisan spirit we have come to lation from reaching the fl oor for a vote. larger memberships help us get in Nevada at 757,000 acres; and know with wilderness. Substantial the facts to broader audiences than the Steens Mountains in eastern resistance to wilderness legislation While all of that may sound ever before. This has been crucial Oregon, which included 100,000 comes from the chairman of the depressing, there is plenty of good in holding off invasive oil and gas acres of cow-free protection. The House Natural Resources Commit- news to be found in what many development and other destructive “cow-free” distinction is signifi cant tee, Richard Pombo (R CA). Pombo perceive as a activities in wild places like New tough work- Mexico’s Otero Mesa and across ing environ- the West. ment. Cur- rently several It’s interesting to go back and bills are pend- see the numbers and better under- ing that could stand how wilderness has been add up to one addressed by successive Adminis- million acres trations. It has not been a one-party of wilderness success story. More times than not, to the Wilder- the representatives supporting a bill ness Preser- one day could be on the opposite vation System side of the aisle for other social or in the coming spending issues. But often enough months. they have come together to give us These include to date the 105 million acres that our own are the special lands we call wilder- Ojito Wilder- ness. May we have many, many ness Bill that millions more. would protect approximately 11,000 acres of badlands, mesas, and in that The Wilderness Act autho- has historically held close to a zero petroglyphs, just northwest of Albu- Have you rizes grazing in most wilderness voting record when it comes to the querque. This bill has the bi-parti- registered areas. environment (League of Conserva- san support of Senators Domenici to vote yet? tion Voters). But its Pombo’s brazen and Bingaman, and Congressman But it was in the fi nal few years anti-wilderness stance that per-

Page 10 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 involved. Another great hike in IT’S PEOPLE THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. New Mexico’s next Wilderness Area

By Martin Heinrich been pushing for a hearing in the Puñi Views Hike protected by legislation pending in The Ojito House Resources Committee. Round Trip Length: 2+ miles Congress. Domenici is Chairman of the all- Diffi culty: Easy to moderate important Senate Energy and Natu- The trail dies out at the edge of a Wilderness Bill ral Resources Committee. We need small mesa in proximity to where to let them know we appreciate his is one of the best short hikes a Siesmosaurus skeleton was dis- Needs Your Help their effort and to encourage them Tin Ojito. Puñi is the Zia word for covered. This sauropod is the larg- to get this bill to the fl oor in their Ojito and means “land to the west.” est ever discovered. If you dig dino- saurs, a replica of the seismosaurus respective bodies for a vote. The second half of the name refers —Now! to the spectacular views of redrock is soon to be on display at the New The Ojito Wilderness Act will mesas and badlands on this hike. Mexico Museum of Natural History create the fi rst new wilderness area Puñi Views is accessible to a wide in Albuquerque. In addition, to the The Ojito Wilderness Act was in New Mexico in almost twenty range of skill levels, however if you careful observer, many truly unique introduced last year with bi-parti- years. It is the key to getting more are a seasoned hiker it is still well and exciting resources are visable in san sponsors. Senators Bingaman areas protected and we need to worth your time. There are many this area. Badlands, complete with and Domenici introduced the leg- get this done before the end of this cross country adventures that can unique formations, petrifi ed wood, begin from this trail. and gizzard stones from dino- saurs fi ll the gaps between mesa In order to fi nd this hike from tops. You may see all sorts of cul- Albuquerque, head north on I-25 tural or paleontological resources in to Bernalillo and turn West on US this part of Ojito. Please leave these 550. At mile marker 21, look for exactly as you found them. No col- the Cabezon Road on your left. lecting is allowed in BLM Wilder- Take Cabezon Road and hit your ness Study Areas. odometer. Almost immediately (at 0.1 miles) you will need to take the If you are an experienced adven- left fork at the “Y.” Stay on the main turer, you can strike off across road and don’t get sidetracked. At country from this viewpoint and 4.0 miles you’ll enter lands that explore the badlands and other belong to the public and are man- mesas visible from the end of the aged by the Bureau of Land Man- trail. While water is hard to fi nd in agement (BLM.) There is a great Ojito, signs of wildlife are not. Sur- hike in the geologic formations just prisingly, animal tracks abound in north of the road here, but save that the sandy washes. I’ve seen tracks for another day. At 4.7 miles you’ll from deer, elk, porcupine, see the GasCo road, which turns and , and have occasionally right. Remain on the main track. seen the animals themselves. Birds At 5.8 miles another fork will occur are more common and range from and the main part of the road stays mourning doves to canyon wrens islation in the Senate. Reps. Udall Congress. to the right. At 9.9 miles you will to a smattering of raptors. While the and Wilson introduced the bill in see a parking area on your left and area doesn’t host large numbers of Please call or write Heather the House. The bill will protect over a fenced area to your right. Park these critters, it is part of an unde- Wilson and Pete Domenici with a 20,000 acres including the truly here and cross the road to begin veloped wildlife corridor critical to short, simple and polite message. spectacular Ojito Wilderness Study your hike. If you reach an inter- linking deer, elk, and mountain lion If you call, you can simply leave Area. section with a natural gas pump- populations in the Jemez Moun- the message with one of their staff. ing station you’ve missed your trail- tains with those in the Mt. Taylor Rep. Wilson and Sen. Domenici Please remember, this is not about head by a couple miles and need to region. are the keys to getting the neces- electoral politics. This is about get- go back the way you came. sary hearings in the House and ting wilderness legislation New This hike can be extended to Senate in order to move the bill Mexico needs. Please thank them The fencing on the north side take up your whole day. If you plan to the fl oor for a vote. Wilson has for their work on the Ojito bill and of the road is to prevent motor- to leave the trail please be prepared ask them to keep trying to get the ized access to the wilderness. Just with adequate navigation skills and bill heard and voted on. past the fence, you enter Ojito on equipment. This is an undeveloped an old two-track that is fast becom- and unforgiving landscape. Lots of You can call them at their local or ing a hiking trail. Follow this trail water and sturdy boots are a must Have you Washington offi ces, or fax a short for about a mile and it will lead you year round, as is a well stocked fi rst registered note. We recommend a fax as let- to some fantastic views of the pro- aid kit. ters are delayed for a long time for posed wilderness and the country Enjoy to vote yet? anthrax screening. See page 19 for to the south which would also be contact information.

Page 12 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 Ute Mountain

his year, the Bureau of Land resources of this critical area and T Management has an oppor- further enhance recreational oppor- tunity to acquire 6,420 acres of tunities land at Ute Mountain along the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River (WSR.) Congress is about to make An appropriation of $2.7 million important decisions on LWCF proj- from the Land and Water Conser- ect funding for the coming year. vation Fund (LWCF) through the FY The President’s budget proposal for 2005 Interior Appropriations bill is FY 2005 includes $2.7 million for needed to preserve this land. Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande Roadless Rule Update WSR. It is very important that you The northern stretch of the Rio urge your members of Congress Grande constitutes one of the most to support this project and secure significant and heavily used rec- the funding earmark in the Inte- fter years of giving lip service Roadless Area Conservation Rule reation areas in the state of New rior Appropriations bill. Last year, A to upholding the Roadless and leaves the management of Mexico. Ute Mountain is a prehis- despite many Congressional fund- Rule while consistently working to these federal public lands that toric volcanic mountain bordering ing requests, the House Interior undermine it, the Bush Adminis- belong to all Americans in the the Rio Grande WSR in northern Appropriations Subcommittee did tration has finally admitted that it hands of select state politicians. New Mexico. This area provides not include funding for specific has no intention of protecting our critical riparian and breeding hab- LWCF projects in the appropriations roadless national forests. Having • The Administration’s announce- itat for peregrine falcon, golden bill, but the Senate did. It is cru- repeatedly failed to defend the ment shows its willingness to eagle, brown trout, and the feder- cial that funding for Ute Mountain ally-listed endangered southwest- appear in both bills this year! regulations in court, and having ignore public participation and cit- izen involvement. The proposal ern willow flycatcher and threat- already exempted Alaska’s magnif- See page 19 for more contacts. would undermine the Roadless ened bald eagle. Acquisition of the icent Tongass National Forest from property will protect the natural protection, the Bush Administra- Rule – a public policy overwhelm- tion is now throwing the door wide ingly supported by Americans that open to unlimited exploitation of was developed over many years national forests in every state. and is backed by law and sound science. Under provisions announced on July 12, 2004, governors who want • Allowing governors to “opt –in” to preserve our nation’s wildest for- for roadless protection, essentially Trapping ests must petition the federal gov- eliminates any thought of national ernment for permission, with no protections for these wild roadless on assurance that their petitions will areas. Governors will immediately be accepted. In states where gov- and continuously be pressured by New Mexico’s ernors are not committed to pro- logging and mining interests not to tecting pristine forests from logging seek roadless protections so as to and mining, the roadless rule will open up these national forests for Public Lands simply fade away. commodity development. Some will not be able to resist putting per- This unwise proposal would ceived short-term benefits ahead of id you know that it is legal in New Mexico for trap- upend our long tradition of con- sound stewardship and the public’s D pers to place leg-hold traps and sistently applying the same laws best interests. strangling snares on our public and standards across the country. and dog owners. Let the Depart- Comments can be mailed to: lands? Trappers are allowed to National laws govern National For- set an unlimited number of hidden ment know that the public would ests. These National Forests belong traps without any posted warn- rather have a chance to see a live New Mexico Wilderness Alliance to all Americans and this proposal ings or limit to the number of ani- or fox than to encounter, Attn: Content Analysis Team would result in different rules for mals killed. With pelt prices on the or be harmed by, a leg-hold trap managing National Forests in every 202 Central SE, Suite 101 rise, we are seeing more traps on or snare on public land. Also let state. Albuquerque, NM 87102 our public lands. Legal traps can be them know that the current reg- large enough to close on a human ulations allowing trappers to set The proposed rule was just Or faxed to 505-843-8697 foot and certainly are a threat to unlimited numbers of traps and recently published in the Fed- Or emailed to [email protected] dogs accompanying hikers. Game kill unlimited numbers of ani- eral Register and is available at Department officials seem to mals is poor wildlife management www.fs.fed.us. There is a 60-day To learn more about the Roadless believe that the relatively few trap- policy. For more information go to public comment period on the pro- Conservation Rule, visit the New pers have a greater right to their www.nmwild.org. posed rule. Please write comments Mexico Wilderness Alliance web- activity than unsuspecting recre- Send your comments by on the proposed rule, using the fol- site: www.nmwild.org or call us at ation users. September 10th: lowing talking: 505-843-8696 to learn how you The Department of Game and 1) Via EMAIL, along with your name can get involved and help save our Fish is now accepting written com- • This proposal eliminates the and address to [email protected] roadless National Forests. ments on trapping regulations and national protections afforded needs to hear from concerned 2) Via MAIL to: Bruce Thompson, Direc- to these last wild places by the hikers, campers, wildlife watchers tor, Department of Game and Fish, PO Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504

Page 12 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 Fighting for Otero Mesa

was ripe for a revolution”. Accord- (for Otero Mesa) on the local Bureau ing to Executive Director of the New of Land Management, where 20 of us The Southwest Mexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWA), marched, carried signs and chanted Environmental Center Stephen Capra, “Steitz and Bixby all the way along the two mile walk 275 North Downtown Mall, SWEC have literally kept the momentum of through town to the BLM’s offi ce! Las Cruces, NM 88005 the Otero Mesa Campaign moving (505) 522-5552 by Trisha London When I asked Jim what Otero Mesa forward since the climax event in Jan- [email protected] uary at the Kimo Theater in Albuquer- means to him, he replied: “Otero que.” They are active participants on Mesa is a symbol of everything that is Since coming into the fold of the the “Otero Mesa Coalition”, a coalilt- either right or wrong in our society. As New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, as ion consisting of representatives goes Otero Mesa, so goes our society, To the question of, ‘Why should the southern representative and orga- from national conservation groups for better or for worse.” As I ponder someone care what happens to nizer in Las Cruces, I have gotten like the Wilderness Society, National over our present state of affairs, I Otero Mesa if they never even see to know my colleagues with whom Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and couldn’t agree more. If , as individuals it or go there?’, Jim responded that, I share offi ce space in the South others who lend critical expertise within society, we can’t have hearts “It’s benefi cial to the human soul to West Environmental Center (SWEC.) and support to the campaign. Bixby big enough to let other communities know there’s something beyond the Speaking as one who’s fairly new to and Steitz make such a great team of life and land persist in their authen- street lights and noise of the city. organizing, it’s been the greatest priv- in part because they complement tic state and continue to evolve, how The knowledge that we’ve taken full ilege for me to be in the company of one another so well. A great bal- then will we tolerate one another, as control of everything is not compat- people that are so professional and ance is struck with Bixby’s eloquence the challenge of having “meaning and ible with the human spirit. Mystery passionate about their work. The and statesman qualities and Steitz’s quality” in our lives increases in direct and wildness are necessary for our Center is a grassroots, non-profi t enthusiastic talents as a professional correlation with our own numbers? sanity.” advocacy group formed by its Exec- rabble-rouser. Steitz has organized That Jim loves the work he does for utive Director, Kevin Bixby in 1992. Needless to say, I’m thrilled and intensively since coming on board wild places is an understatement, in For twelve years, Bixby’s dedicated honored to know dedicated people the SWEC in numerous ways for my opinion. His energy and enthusi- efforts have made Otero Mesa, including demonstrating like Jim and Kevin who are on the asm for protecting our irreplaceable front lines fi ghting for Otero Mesa at Steve Pearce’s Las Cruces Offi ce, landscapes is contagious. He also SWEC Las Cruces’s primary con- phone-banking and letter writing along with the NMWA. We wouldn’t servation group. It’s a group that is shared some wisdom that is help- get far in our efforts for wild places campaigns, as well as door to door ful to those of us who face the chal- very grounded in the community and leafl eting, and constant petitioning without the commitment and passion really refl ects the community itself. lenge of unceasing threats to our of individuals like them. If you want and tabling. Jim has effectively kept most precious places: “An organizer citizens informed, nonstop, on the to get in touch with Kevin or Jim, they In August of 2003, Bixby fi rst has a bird’s-eye-view of progressive can be reached at 505-522-5552. Or acquired funding to hire an orga- latest developments and their impli- thought and feeling. There’s far more cations regarding Otero Mesa. you can drop into the Center and say nizer for the Center. As fortune had it, energy and distress out there than “hello” or just enjoy the great native Jim Steitz a public lands activist from SWEC’s dedication to the Otero anyone can imagine----and for the fi sh aquarium, there. Also, volunteers Utah, was intrigued by the potential Mesa issue has kept it center stage sake of our movement, it is essen- are a critical component of this impor- of the “Otero Mesa” issue. Jim recalls in the Las Cruces area. My own tial that citizens sometimes ‘take on tant work and always needed! The wanting to come to New Mexico to fi rst couple of weeks on the job for the faith’ that their efforts do have an Center is located next to the Down- take an active role in the campaign NMWA would fi nd me participating impact, even if it’s not perceptible to town Mall in Las Cruces. “because it looked like an issue that in Jim’s “March and Street Theater” them.”

A hearty thanks! to our Wildlands Painted! 2004 Sponsors: Prairie Dog Pals 202 Central Avenue, SE • Suite 301 • Albuquerque, NM 87102

The Prairie Dogs in the greater Albuquerque area are Gunnisons, one of the fi ve species (genus Cynomys) of stout, short-legged, terrestrial squirrels, named for their bark -like call. Prairie Dog Pals is a non-profi t 501(C)3 organization dedicated to the preservation of Prairie Dogs in Albuquerque. Our goal is to preserve natural native prairie dog habitats El Dorado Square in appropriate areas. Second to Juan Tabo & Montgomery We help care for urban prairie dogs through Comfort Shoes for Men & Women supplemental feeding in barren areas and by relocation for preservation and population Sun Store Hours control. We also provide information and M-F 10–5:30 Sat. 10 – 5 education about Prairie Dogs to the public. Phone 296-1645 8100 Wyoming Blvd. NE For more information, please visit Opening next door in Sept. www.PrairieDogPals.org Albuquerque NM 87113 Sole’y Birkenstock or call 505/296-1937 505-856-2600

Page 14 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 back at the cars. Contact Hike ABQ Area Leader, Mike Ritchie at 505-255- 1016 or [email protected] for ith the longer days and warm- more information. W ing weather, we will now meet at 7:00am at our offi ce park- Distance: 8 miles round-trip ing lot on the SW corner of Central Time: 4 hours round-trip and Broadway. Dress appropriately Elevation Range: 6,200 to 8,400 feet for the weather and bring extra Difficulty: Moderate wear needed for weather and ele- September 26th: vation changes. Bring water, lunch, August 21st: Pecos Mountain Wilder- Ojito Wilderness Study Area Southern NM and enough munchies for the day. ness, Nambe Lake We will fi gure out the car pool sit- We will walk into the heart of the uation in the parking lot (if you are We descend gently on the Winsor Ojito badlands approaching either Contact Trisha London in NMWA’s willing to drive, it is greatly appreci- trail into the Pecos Wilderness for from the east or west depending on Las Cruces offi ce for information on all ated). Our aim will be to have you about 2 miles to the steep turn road conditions. Rainbow banded the following hikes, including how to back by 7:00pm, usually earlier. off up to alpine Nambe Lake. The mesas guard natural sculpture gar- get there and back. You can reach her All hikes subject to change due to route climbs along the Rio Nambe dens fi lled with amusing hoo doos at 505-527-9962. of all sizes and shapes. Twisted weather or fi re restrictions. through several verdant, wild fl ower July 10th: Emory Pass fi lled meadows past spruce / fi r and old junipers and dwarf ponderosa August 1st: aspen stands to picturesque Nambe add a touch of green to the fan- This is a moderately strenuous hike Sandia Mountain Wilderness, Piedra Lake. Nestled below timberline tastic, multi-colored rock forms. just inside the boundary of the Aldo Lisa Trail in a rocky cirque between Lake There are no trails and the cross- Leopold Wilderness. The hike offers The Piedra Lisa Spring Trail begins Peak and Santa Fe Baldy the crys- country trek involves lots of scram- some great views of the Black Range. in Cholla and Juniper and goes from tal clear waters refl ect the colors of bling and path fi nding down wind- If you go all the way to the peak it’s 6,120 feet to 8,200 feet. The hike sky, clouds, rocks and forests. We’ll ing washes and up to picturesque 9 miles round trip, otherwise wecould is moderate to strenuous due to a relax on the shoreline and possi- mesa tops with panoramic high do about 6 miles round trip. 2,100 foot elevation gain within a 2 bly do a little scrambling before desert views. Contact Hike Leader, mile stretch of trail. We will follow our descent. Contact Hike Leader, Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 or August 14th: Three Rivers the trail up to the Rincon saddle Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 or [email protected] for more that comes off the shield. The view [email protected] for more information. This hike makes for a long day but from the saddle is spectacular! After is worth it! We’ll be hiking along a information. Distance: Depends on route and enjoying the view, we will continue stream through the forest with hun- group decision (3-6 miles) Distance: 6 miles round-trip dreds of petroglyphs to enjoy along on down into the valley below. The Time: Same as above (3-5 hours) Time: 4-5 hours round-trip the way. The trail is steep in certain valley has wonderful diversity in Elevation Range: 5,800 to 6,000 feet Elevation range: 10,200 its plants and wildlife. Older chil- Diffi culty: Moderate sections, but otherwise is a moder- dren who enjoy hiking are able to to 11,400 feet ately strenuous hike. We’ll do a 5- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous hike this trail, and there are sev- October 9th Weekend: Withington 6 mile round trip hike, but for those Wilderness Outing in the San Mateo wanting to go all the way to the crest eral lovely spots to stop and rest September 12th: Mountains it’s a 12 mile round trip. along the way. Contact Hike Lead- Manzano Mountain Wilderness, Trigo ers, Tanya Critchfi eld at 505-244- Canyon After a long 4X4 drive, we’ll arrive August 20th - 22nd: Peloncillo Mtns 4059 ([email protected]) at our trailhead campsite at 9,800 Roads Inventory or Nathan Newcomer at 505-843- The Trigo Canyon Trail begins on feet in the early afternoon and 8696 ([email protected]). the western slopes of the Manz- take a short warm up hike down The Sky Island Alliance (SIA) of ano Mountains at the John F. Ken- Tucson is hosting this volunteer Distance: 6 - 7 miles round-trip to impressive rock formations in opportunity to help inventory part of Time: 4 – 5 hours round-trip nedy campground and crosses an Chimney Canyon. Next morning we Elevation Gain: 6,120 to 8,200 feet intermittent stream before ascend- leave early for our hike down into the Peloncillo Mountains in the south- west corner of New Mexico. This is a Diffi culty: Moderate to Strenuous ing through a canyon full of numer- Potato Canyon. The trail is very dif- rare chance to see parts of the private ous large alligator junipers. At 2.5 fi cult to follow once we reach the lands in this region. Space is limited, August 7th: miles, the trail passes a shallow maze of side canyons and soar- Sandia Mountain Wilderness, call Trevor Hare of SIA at (520) 624- cave and then several waterfalls. ing rock walls sheltering lush ripar- Three Guns Spring Trail 7080. The trail then switchbacks up the ian gardens in the canyon depths. canyons north side and meanders We start Three Gun Springs trail The box elders and oaks should September 25th: Apache Kid up a pleasant forested valley. At in a large, bowl shaped, south be sporting fall foliage and the about four miles, the trail leaves the This is an fairly strenuous hike. We’ll facing canyon featuring diverse streams and small waterfalls should stream and passes through a pon- be starting at Springtime Campground Upper Sonoran Zone vegetation be fl owing. Contact Hike Leader, derosa forest before topping out to the southeast of San Mateo Peak. and climb into Transition Zone For- Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 or at a beautiful knoll with spectacu- At 2 to 3 miles in, you get great views ests past occasional riparian corri- [email protected] for more lar views to the north. Contact Hike toward the Rio Grande Valley. For dors shaded by Douglas fi r. Views information. Leader, Nathan Newcomer at 505- those who hike to San Mateo Peak, expand out across Albuquerque to 843-8696 or [email protected] Distance: Total with both hikes 10-12 it’s a very strenuous 8 mile round trip. Mt. Taylor. We meet Embudito trail miles for more information. October 9th: Organ Mountains at Oso Pass, a large saddle with Time: Total time, full day great views north and south along Distance: 8 miles round-trip Elevation range: 9,800 to 7,000 feet We’ll be hiking Pine Tree Trail which Diffi culty: Strenuous to Moderate the Sandia Wilderness’s whole Time: 4 to 6 hours round-trip is about a 4 3/4 mile moderately Elevation Range: 6,250 to 8,800 feet length. We descend down a deep strenuous “loop” hike. Really good Diffi culty: Moderate to Strenuous canyon with a well-developed ripar- views to be had as the trail circles ian corridor fi lled with huge trees around the base of the “needles”. and slowly reach the high desert

Page 14 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Anchor.” She volunteered to set up Long-Time slideshows, distribute newsletters Volunteer Joins and gather scientifi c support from University professors. Trisha was Wilderness Staff also interviewed by the local news- Join Us! paper and featured on local radio station KNFT three times. Before long, Trisha London had become a enerations of New Mexicans ment. Amazingly, only 2.2% of the star wilderness volunteer in south- G have worked together to pro- state – just 1.6 million acres – is ern New Mexico. tect the wonderful landscapes that permanently protected from log- In February of 2004, when Greta make New Mexico the Land of ging, mining, and drilling. Miller resigned from NMWA to Enchantment. We are fortunate to Protecting lands as Wilder- pursue a teaching career in El Paso, have some of the fi nest and wildest Trisha stepped in to lead NMWA’s lands in America. From the quiet ness assures that core habitats for endangered and threatened wild- southern New Mexico outreach ponderosa halls of primeval McK- efforts. With the help of former enna Park, deep in the Gila coun- life like the Mexican gray wolf, the jaguar, the Aplomado falcon, and employee and Board member, try, to the badlands of the Bisti, Greg Magee, Trisha began to build and the alpine peaks of the Sangre the southwest willow fl ycatcher will be there to sustain them. Wil- relationships in the Las Cruces de Cristos. And from the rugged, community. remote terrain of the Apache Kid, to derness also assures our growing the desert vastness of Otero Mesa human population opportunities Trisha has already made a big grasslands, and the much loved and refuges for solitude and con- impact in the south and continues slopes of the Organ, Sandia and templation, for reconnection with to work hard on the protection of Pecos Mountains, New Mexicans the wild, and unsurpassed oppor- Otero Mesa.. Trisha London has have much to celebrate and enjoy. tunities for hiking, photography, truly been a unique and excellent exploration, hunting and family addition to the New Mexico Wil- But, we have so much more to camping. derness Alliance staff. Her passion do. The threats are greater now Join New Mexico Wilderness Alli- and drive to make a difference in than ever, and increasing every Trisha became involved with the New Mexico communities ensures ance today and New Mexico Wilderness Alliance be part of the that our southern outreach efforts after she saw a slideshow pre- to educate the public about wilder- upport Wilderness Protection local movement sentation on Otero Mesa in Silver to protect New ness are once again in full swing, City. Trisha’s interest and passion and laser beam focused. throughout the year!! Join the Mexico’s natu- for preserving wilderness in New NMWA Friends of Wilderness ral heritage for- Mexico gave her the drive to make To get in touch with Trisha in our ever. Your mem- a difference in her community. She Las Cruces offi ce call 505-527-9962 S bership includes a Giving Program with monthly gifts, became the New Mexico Wilder- or email her at [email protected] subscription to our ness Alliance’s fi rst “Community you’ll provide dependable income newsletter, action alerts to help keep that will help our efforts to save New you informed and Mexico’s wild landscapes. Please involved, and invi- tations to volun- NMWA Signs On New Development Director contact Roxanne at 505.843-8696 or teer outings and special events. [email protected] if you’d like to sign We also organize Tripp Killin’s family moved to up for monthly giving. hikes to many of Albuquerque in 1977 when his New Mexico’s wil- father was stationed at Kirtland. He derness areas that attended high school in the north- day. Wilderness, as Aldo Leopold are great opportunities to meet east heights and is a graduate of said, is a resource which can only other wilderness lovers, and dis- the University of New Mexico’s shrink, and never grow. Once it is cover new, exciting places you Biology department. lost, it is lost forever. might otherwise never discover. There he focused on environ- The New Mexico Wilderness Alli- Without Wilderness, New Mexico mental conservation and restora- ance is dedicated to the protection, would be a very different place tion issues. He spent 3 years in restoration, and continued enjoy- than the Land of Enchantment you the San Francisco, CA area during ment of New Mexico’s wild lands. and I love. Help us preserve what the mid 90’s but was drawn back Today, more than 90% of New we have now and increase the home by memories of New Mexi- Mexico’s public lands remain open lands protected by Wilderness des- can sunsets and red chile sauce. to threats of destructive develop- ignation. As a long-time resident of this beautiful state, he has been lucky enough to explore many of its scenic and wild places. Among his SOLAR FIESTA favorites are the Wheeler Peak Wil- derness Area and Sevilleta National The New Mexico Solar NM. Free Admission to Solar Wildlife Refuge. He looks forward Energy Association presents Fiesta will be given to those to being part of the efforts to pro- the 5th Annual Solar Fiesta! who attend the NMWA 2004 tect and restore the wilderness September 25 & 26 2004 at the Wilderness Conference or the areas of New Mexico. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Remembering Abbey event. 2401 12th St., Albuquerque,

Page 16 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 NMWA CALENDAR

4th ANNUAL WildlandsWildlands Painted!Painted! 22004004 WILDERNESS Artists from Across the Southwest Partner to CONFERENCE! SPECIAL! Attend Preserve Wilderness Areas in New Mexico Register now – SEE PAGE 19. BOTH the Confer- elebrating its second year, Wild- Steve DeOrio, Sharon Holsapple, ence and Abbey C lands Painted! 2004 Invitational Evelyn Martinez, Marcy Nicholas, and What to help protect wild places Show partners Denver 10--emerging Peggy Venable. Guest artists invited across New Mexico? Want to better Event for Just $20! artists from Colorado--with guest art- to participate from Colorado and understand how the BLM or Forest ists from Colorado and New Mexico New Mexico this year are Kim Eng- Service works? How about the his- to help in the preservation of New lish, Libby Hart, William Hook, Rod tory of wilderness in New Mexico Mexico’s wild landscapes. The art- Hubble, Phyllis Kapp, Louisa McEl- and across the West. These and work, totaling more than 80 paint- waine, Mark Nelson, Rich Nichols, many more topics surrounding the REMEMBERING ABBEY ings, will be exhibited and sold Friday, Randy Pijoan, Mary Silverwood, Don protection of wildlands will be cov- IN NEW MEXICO October 15 through Sunday, October Ward, Kevin Weckbach and Doug ered in a fun and informative work- 17, 2004, at the 500 2nd Street Per- West. shop, the forth held by the New formance Space in downtown Albu- An evening celebrating the famed This year the artists will focus on Mexico Wilderness Alliance since querque. An opening reception is southwest author Edward Abbey three areas: Columbine Hondo, Valle our inception in 1997. It will be scheduled Friday night from 5-9 p.m. Vidal and the . Any sales of held on Saturday September 25th, Saturday, September 25th, start- in conjunction with Albuquerque’s artwork on exhibit benefi ts the New from 9:00a.m. to 4 p.m. at the his- ing at 7:00pm at the historic Kimo downtown gallery walk, Arts Crawl. Mexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWA) toric La Posada Hotel in downtown Theatre in downtown ABQ, join Wildlands Painted! was conceived ad will help support the work needed Albuquerque. three of Edward Abbey’s close friends as they remember him by Denver 10 artist Michelle Chris- to protect these wild landscapes. Our Keynote speaker will be man. Originally from New York, and through personal stories, readings, Stephen Capra, executive director Oscar Moctezuma, Executive Direc- a New Mexico resident, Chrisman, songs, and fi lm. The event is a ben- of the NMWA, says of the art proj- tor of Naturalia, one of the lead- along with Denver-based artist E. efi t for the New Mexico Wilderness ect, “Art and wilderness both have ing conservation organizations Melinda Morrison, co-organized the Alliance. The show was fi rst per- the ability to bring beauty to life and in Mexico. Oscar’s presentations exhibition and sale. “New Mexico formed in Durango and by the eve- to stir our imagination. When brought will be about jaguars in northwest historically has a unique relationship ning’s end the crowd was calling for together, the result can be both pow- Mexico. Recent sightings in New with artists from all over the coun- more. It promises to be fun for the erful and inspiring. Wildlands Painted! Mexico and Arizona show these try. We want to build on that rela- whole family. highlights some of New Mexico’s magnifi cent creatures are making tionship and continue this distinc- most threatened and beautiful land- their way back into the United Tickets will be $15 and are avail- tive partnership between artist and scapes through a special collabo- States. Oscar will speak to the need able through TICKETMASTER.com, the environment. With each passing ration of wilderness advocates and for efforts to protect wildlands on TICKETMASTER (505-883-7800), year, our hope is that we can contin- visual artists. “ both sides of the border. and all TICKETMASTER outlets. ually increase public awareness about wilderness protection for the incred- For more information about the Dave Foreman will also be Like Abbey, all the evening’s pre- ible beauty in New Mexico,” Morri- Wildlands Painted! show and sale, speaking about the history of wil- senters are fi rmly rooted in the son said. contact Tisha Broska, Wildlands derness in New Mexico. Longtime environment and conserving it. Painted! Event Coordinator, at 505- wilderness historian and legislative Other participating artists from Dave Foreman is a noted conser- 843-8696 architect Doug Scott will also be Denver 10 include Jane Bunegar, vationist and author currently living giving workshops on the history of in Albuquerque. He recently co- the wilderness movement nation- founded the Rewilding Institute and ally. Other workshops will include: was a co-founder of the Wildlands Media and Grassroots, Creating a Cit- Project as well as Earth First! izens Toolbox for Activism, The Poli- tics of Wilderness, How Agencies Work, Coming down from Durango, Broadening our Base and Diversify- Bart Koehler was also a co-founder ing the Outreach of the Conservation of Earth First! and performed with Community in New Mexico. Abbey as a singer/songwriter under the stage name of Johnny Sage- Cost: $10, Which includes New brush. Koehler is currently the Mexico style buffet with vegetarian director of the Wilderness Society’s options and snacks at breaks. Wilderness Support Center. If you are coming from out of Jack Loeffl er authored Adven- town we highly suggest staying at tures with Ed: A Portrait of Abbey. the Historic La Posada Hotel. (505- Of their friendship Taos writer John 242-9090) They have offered a Nichols commented, “Ed Abbey special rate of $69 for those attend- and Jack Loeffl er were like Don ing the workshop. Quijote and Sancho Panza.”

Page 16 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 by Brooke Berger magine a group of bird watch- placed in the middle of the web I ers, backpackers, hunters, fi sh- to show that when one string is ermen, rock climbers, and hikers released, when one element of the all dedicated to preserving the nat- Bosque’s ecology disappears, the ural environments in which they ball will drop. This is a simple but pass their time. Imagine teenag- profound lesson that we believe is The Father of the Wilderness Act ers in an urban environment who at the heart of any conservation understand the importance of wil- plan. by James Broska derness and who are working to teach others about it. The Valley The club is also working to High School Environmental Club increase the environmental aware- hibition of incompatible uses, consists of a group of 25 con- ness of our fellow students and cerned and active Albuquerque members of our community as among others. It was in 1956 that students sponsored by Valley’s well. A recycling program is cur- he wrote the fi rst draft of the Wil- Environmental Science teacher rently being developed for Valley derness Act; fully 8 years and 65 Karn Gustafson. Our Club mem- as well as an initiative to save elec- revisions before being signed by bers are wilderness users and tricity at our school. Our group President Lyndon Johnson on have a culmination of experiences members attended Hablamos September 3, 1964. with several organizations and Environmental Youth Conference Although Zahniser died in May government agencies including the both as presenters and organizers 1964 before seeing the fulfi llment New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, for the event, thus educating our- of his dream of a national wilder- Talking Talons, The Rio Grande selves about effective ways to insti- Nature Center, the Quivera Coali- gate change and to better connect ness system, his life was dedi- tion, Albuquerque Open Space, US with our community and environ- cated to conservation. He worked Fish and Wildlife, the Forest Ser- mental clubs in other high schools. for the USDA Bureau of Biological vice, and BLM. These experiences Earlier this year, four club mem- Survey and Fish and Wildlife Ser- allow us to unite many perspec- bers also attended the Otero Mesa vice while simultaneously speak- tives in achieving our common Forum to demonstrate our support ing and writing about conservation goals of preservation, restoration, for the grassland’s protection. for various scientifi c publications. He was executive director of the and stewardship. Our largest undertaking thus Wilderness Society and acted as Environmental Club has had a far is our recent adoption of an open space site that was partially editor of its journal The Living Wil- very productive year and has par- t this time of celebration and derness while also writing a column ticipated in several notable com- burned in last summer’s Bosque fi re. To celebrate Arbor Day this Arefl ection of the 40th anniver- for Nature magazine. In addition, at munity conservation and edu- sary of the Wilderness Act and its various stages of his career he was cational events. These include year, the VHS Environmental Club signifi cance to the Wilderness and chairman of the Natural Resources the Middle Rio Grande Children’s planted cottonwood poles at this Conservation movement, it seems Council of America; acted as pres- Water Festival where our volun- site with funding and volunteers appropriate to recognize the author ident of the Thoreau Society; was teers helped to educate fourth from General Electric and Valley and “Father of the Wilderness Act,” a member of the Secretary of the graders about water conserva- High School Academy. We are cur- Howard Zahniser. Interior’s Advisory Committee for tion. One of the activities that chil- rently in the process of pole mon- dren participated in was designed itoring to assess the health of the Natural Resources; served as hon- site and ensure the success of our Starting in the 1940’s and orary vice-president of the Sierra by club executive board member, throughout the 1950’s, Zahniser Andrew Rominger, and was cre- restoration, while continuing to Club, and the list goes on! educate our members about suc- lead the movement to seek Con- ated to be a hands-on method gressional designation of wilder- On this 40th Anniversary of that helps kids learn about the cessful rehabilitation within a ripar- ness. Before that change in phi- the Wilderness Act, Zahniser’s Bosque’s ecology. Each child was ian environment. losophy, conservationists sought words still ring true today as they assigned an animal, plant, or abi- If you would like to learn more wilderness designation directly undoubtedly will in another 40 otic element of the ecology and about Valley High School Envi- through federal agencies with little years, “we see before us…..a were then arranged in a large ronmental Club please contact success. In fact, his ideas from that hope for the preservation of wil- circle. The kids thought of ways Andrew Rominger at ecopiranga that their animal etc. related to one time period would become the derness in perpetuity….the wilder- @cybermesa.com, or Karn Gus- cornerstone of the way Wilderness ness that has come to us from the other and they would toss a ball of tafson at yarn to a relating person eventu- is managed today. Those ideas eternity of the past……(may) we ally forming a web. A ball, symbol- [email protected]. included establishing a national have the boldness to project into izing a healthy environment, was wilderness system and the pro- the eternity of the future.

Page 18 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 NMWA WILDERNESS CONFERENCE Registration Form New Mexico Wilderness Alliance P.O. Box 25464, Albuquerque, NM 87125 ������������� orderform ����������������������������������������������������

������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Name ______

Phone ______������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Street ______������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

E-mail______

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ (including Homeland Security) NMWA NEVER SHARES YOUR YOUR SHARES NEVER NMWA INFORMATION WITH ANYONE!!! INFORMATION City, State, Zip ______

�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Item Description Color Qty Cost Total ������ ���������������� � � � � � ��������

��

������������������������ �������������������������������� � � �������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������

������������������������������� � � � ������������

�������� � � � � � � ������������

����������������������������������������

�������������������������������������������������������������

���������������������������������������������������������������

����������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ Merchandise Total

New Mexico WILD! design & art direction by: £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard let my imagination become your empowerment. Card# ______Expiration Date: ______

Signature: ______Joe Adair - 505.319-3754 • [email protected]

Join New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Today! You’ll not only help preserve Contact info. The Honorable New Mexico’s Wild Places for your own U.S. Senate enjoyment… but you’ll help insure that 703 Hart Senate Offi ce Building Washington, D.C. 20510 future generations may enjoy them too. Phone: 202 224-5521 Fax: 202 224-2852 YES! I want to be a member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!!! My contribution will go Mail your The Honorable Pete Domenici towards the continued protection and wilderness designation of New Mexico’s natural heritage. U.S. Senate Tax Deductible 328 Hart Senate Offi ce Building q$25 – Individual q$100 – Contributing qOther $______Donations to: Washington, D.C. 20510 q$30 – Family q$250 – Lifetime ABQ. Phone: 505 347-6781 q$50 – Supporting q$10 – Student/Senior ABQ. Fax: 505 346-6720 New Mexico Name ______Phone______Wilderness Alliance The Honorable U.S. House of Representatives Street ______E-mail______PO Box 25464 502 Cannon House Offi ce Building City, State, Zip ______Washington, D.C. 20515 Albuquerque, NM Phone: 202 225-6190 87125-0464 Fax: 202 226-1331 £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance The Honorable  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard Questions? U.S. House of Representatives Card# ______Expiration Date: ______318 Cannon House Offi ce Building 505/843-8696 Washington, D.C. 20515 Signature: ______ABQ. Phone: 505 346-6781 ABQ. Fax: 505 346-6723

Page 18 Summer 2004 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 Your purchases will help NMWA GET FREE save New Mexico’s wildest places! SHIPPING & HANDLING Check out the great gear now available through NMWA! ON ALL ORDERS!

Jan Bartelstone his image was taken from the top of Cabezon peak. Jan TBartelstone and Eyes of New Mexico have generously donated this image to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. A limited number of original 24 x 36 inch Hiking Hiking New Mexico’s New Mexico Gila Wilderness prints are available from NMWA Laurence Parent $16.50 Bill Cunnigham and at a cost of $500. The photographs Polly Burke $21.50 will be dry mounted on acid-free foam core. Please call to order. NMWA TEES $15.00 The NEW NMWA TEE-SHIRTS are in! Celebrating 40 las piedras sagradas or sacred stones Years of New Mexico Wilderness, these shirts also feature the new NMWA logo on the breast. Available in (01)White & (02)Natural. Sizes M-L-XL-XXL

NMWA LOGO Nalgene Bottles $12.00 (FREE shipping!)

Available in 6 Vibrant Colors! (Please use these color codes) 01 - Ruby Red 02 - Sage Green 03 - Sapphire Blue (shown) 04 - Glacial Blue 05 - Vibrant Violet Best Easy 100 Hikes in Hikers & Climbers New Mexico’s 06 - Honey Yellow Day Hikes- Santa Fe New Mexico Guide to the Sandias Wilderness Areas: Linda & Katie Craig Martin $18.50 Mike Hill $19.50 the Complete Guide Regnier $8.00 Bob Julyan and Tom Till $26.50 2005 new mexico wilderness alliance Pre-Order Your 2005 New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Calendar by October 1st …You’ll Help NMWA and Save!

Our Offi cial 2005 Calendar features Raymond Watt’s stunning photography of New Mexico’s most beautiful wild places. By pre-ordering, you’ll help NMWA defray its initial costs. Get several as gifts, too! By ordering now, you’ll get a better price –and we’ll ship them to you FREE! Either use the order form on page 19, or call our (facsimile) NMWA at 505-843-8696 and ask for Roxanne. Get the goods today! Use the order form on page 19, or call 505-843-8696 M-F 10a-4p

UQU New Mexico LB ER A Q NONPROFIT ORG. U U.S. POSTAGE

Wilderness Alliance E

5 N

2

E

1

W PAID

P.O. Box 25464 7

8

M

O E C X

Albuquerque, NM 87125 I PERMIT NO. 426

SEE PAGE 17 FOR DETAILS