A strong sense of place and reliance on the land that sustains us is a common thread that unites us as New Mexicans. From the forests and mesas that catch rain and snow to feed our rivers, to the vibrant ecosystems that New Mexicans farm, hunt, fish, hike and bike, our relationship to the land, water and wildlife is central to our quality of life and deep cultural diversity.

New Mexico is home to nearly 35 million acres of public lands, including monuments and parks such as Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and the Gila National Forest. These lands are critical habitats for an abundance of wildlife, and support recreation, hunting, tourism, and traditional cultural practices that are essential for our state’s diverse communities. They support an outdoor recreation economy that brought $1.2 billion in state income (2019), and created nearly 33,500 jobs. For many rural communities, such as Silver City or Farmington/Aztec, ecotourism is a growing portion of the local economy.

The human impacts on land and the human impact on climate are one and the same. We need wide-reaching solutions that address the climate crisis and land policies play a big role in an effective climate change strategy. Conserving and restoring more lands and waters would help protect our communities from floods, fires, storms, and other impacts of climate change, safeguarding the natural resources we rely on for food, jobs, and recreation.

Significant amounts of land remain in a natural condition in New Mexico, creating opportunities to protect those places for future generations. At the same time, due to relaxed mining and oil and gas leasing regulations, New Mexico’s public lands have become a haven for extractive industries seeking to mine and refine natural resources and minerals. These activities degrade not only the land, but the water and air, making other uses impossible without expensive cleanup and remediation.

Common policies introduced in the legislature that impact New Mexico’s land include those related to land use and growth, transportation, mining, oil and gas leasing, and conservation.