Bernalillo County supports a new vision for conservation in New Mexico
State lawmakers need to fund conservation measures for new vision to become reality
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., (January 24, 2023) — Today’s vote by the Bernalillo County Commission represents the overwhelming support for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all New Mexicans by equitably protecting the state’s lands and waters right now.
In a 4-0 vote, Bernalillo County Commissioners endorsed a resolution that supports inclusive, locally driven efforts to implement conservation initiatives that not only protect 30 percent of lands and waters in New Mexico by 2030, but are done so in a way that addresses past environmental injustices, systemic racism and prioritizes equitable solutions.
“Conservation must address oppression of people and exploitation of natural resources simultaneously,” said Chas Robles, Corps Director for Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. “We cannot work towards greater lands and water protection without also acknowledging and addressing disposition, violence and injustices that have led to greater barriers on Black, Indigenous, and communities of color accessing and positively experiencing nature.”
Today’s vote builds on Gov. Lujan Grisham’s 2021 executive order, which committed New Mexico to working towards meeting this ambitious “30x30” conservation goal. Now it’s time for the New Mexico Legislature to begin making these commitments a reality by funding state conservation initiatives.
“We thank the commissioners for having the vision and foresight to support a clean and healthy environment that equitably meets the needs of New Mexicans,” said Oriana Sandoval, CEO at the Center for Civic Policy. “However, taking that next step is critical. We must fund conservation initiatives in order to make a more clean and equitable future a reality.”
A New Mexico Vision for Conservation is the result of an 18-month process that involved listening-sessions with over a hundred Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and BIPOC youth engaged in education, policy and Indigenous field conservation. The process was facilitated by Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, Center for Civic Policy, NACA Inspired Schools Network and The Wilderness Society. For more information, please visit wilderness.org/nm-vision.
Contact:
- Chelsi Moy, Senior Communications Manager, The Wilderness Society, chelsi_moy@tws.org, (406) 240-3013
- Kay Bounkeua, New Mexico State Senior Manager, The Wilderness Society, kay_bounkeua@tws.org, (505) 363-7193
