Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project

BIG NEWS FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION! 🦅 Thank you, Representative Nathan Small for supporting wildlife conservation in this year’s state budget. Because of your leadership, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is on track to receive one of the largest general fund appropriations in its entire history! This is a major achievement, since the Department rarely receives money from the legislature due to its budget being funded primarily through hunting and fishing license fees.   Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project is excited to see $10.5 million going  towards New Mexico’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) - a state list of wildlife with populations in decline or at risk of losing habitat. More conservation funding can help recover New Mexico’s native species so they don't get put on the federal threatened or endangered list - which is more costly in the end. This funding, along with updates to the Department and reform of the State Game Commission, will result in the 21st century wildlife management system New Mexico deserves. For more information visit: www.wildlifefornm.org

#DemocracyInAction ⚖ Today, as we witness another transition of power, we’re reminded that democracy isn't just about elections – it's about sustained civic engagement. While leadership changes can shake our sense of stability and progress, amid uncertainty, our values and mission remain constant. Take the Castner Range National Monument in El Paso, Texas for example. We started that campaign during Obama’s presidency. Then… 2016 happened, shifting many groups into defensive lawsuits and worst-case scenarios. Nuestra Tierra kept mobilizing on the ground so when President Biden took office, Castner Range was already slated as a top priority! This is a powerful reminder that progress demands persistent action through changing political tides. The conservation community kept organizing and building partnerships even when faced with setbacks, eventually achieving protection for this treasured landscape. Building community, forging partnerships, and remaining proactive to protect our work from administration to administration are not just strategies – they're commitments to ensuring lasting progress for the people and lands we fight for. Whether celebrating wins or facing challenges, the path ahead involves all of us. Our ask from you today, and every day, is to stay vigilant, responsive, and engaged! Let's recommit to the work that matters, knowing that unshakable participation in democracy is what truly drives positive change.✨

My grandfather brought my mom and me to this country from Chihuahua, Mexico with one goal: to build a life where our ambitions could challenge our dreams. My parents were landscapers and labor workers. They cared for their community by caring for the land. (You could say land and water conservation is in my blood.) Growing up, being outdoors meant work—hard, tireless work. The kind of work that left little room for joy, rest, or connection. It wasn’t until I became a young father that I experienced the outdoors differently. It transformed into something sacred: a sanctuary, a source of joy, a canvas for family memories—cooking, exploring, and celebrating with my kids. That’s when I realized something bigger. Every family—no matter where they come from or what they earn—deserves access to beautiful outdoor spaces. Spaces where birthdays are celebrated, Easter eggs are hunted, and picnics bring people together. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭. For too long, the outdoors has been a playground for the privileged and a hobby for the wealthy. But it’s so much more than that. The outdoors is culture. It’s family. It’s legacy. That’s why I dream of a future where the outdoors belongs to all of us. A future where every child, every family, can find joy and belonging in nature. Because when the outdoors is accessible to all, we’re not just protecting land. We’re building communities and preserving stories. Remember: the outdoors isn’t a privilege. It’s a birthright. #Community #Conservation #EquityInNature #OutdoorAccess #EnvironmentalJustice #Change

Join Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project for a free film screening to support outdoor equity in New Mexico following the Lands, Water & Wildlife Day at the NM Legislature! ✨ Free Event + 🎟️ Eventbrite Registration Required: https://lnkd.in/g2JXKhDx

⭐️ BIG WIN ⭐️ US Supreme Court Rejects Utah Lawsuit Over Public Lands. The Supreme Court has denied Utah's attempt to challenge federal control of 18.5M acres of public lands. Back in August 2024, Utah filed a lawsuit in the US Supreme Court, asking the court to order the federal government to sell or dispose of 18.5 million acres of public land in Utah. This meant consideration to sell these public lands to private owners. However, this dangerous and unlawful lawsuit goes against Utah’s 1896 statehood deal which states that public lands must stay public forever and cannot be sold to a private entity. Today’s ruling is a big win for environmentalists and for the protection of public lands nationwide! The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, also known as the Public Lands Rule, in the Federal Register on May 9, 2024. This recognizes conservation as a key component of public lands management, on equal footing with other multiple uses, and helps to safeguard healthy public lands and landscapes for current and future generations. … In response to the new BLM Public Lands Rule, Nuestra Tierra put out a video emphasizing the endless opportunities that New Mexico’s public lands offer. To view the full video visit: tinyurl.com/NMPublicLands

SAVE THE DATE 🗓✍️ Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project invites you to a New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund (OEF) film screening on Thursday, February 20 following the Lands, Water & Wildlife Day at the Nex Mexico Legislature. The screening will be held at REI’s Santa Fe location where OEF recipients and advocates will gather to educate and advocate for increased OEF resources to ensure New Mexicans have continued access to the outdoors. Stay tuned for more details on how to attend this #free event! 👀 … About the New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund  (OEF): The New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund is a first-of-its-kind program that supports transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship, respect for the land, and create pathways to outdoor-related careers for low-income youth across New Mexico. Currently, the OEF receives $382,600 from the General Fund and $468,800 from the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund annually. Advocates for New Mexico's pioneering OEF are requesting an $8 million allocation to help bridge the significant gap between community needs and available resources while establishing sustainable long-term funding mechanisms for fiscal years 2025-2027. ...

🎉 GOOD NEWS!🎉 In his final days in office, President Biden has officially designated Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments in California! These efforts were led by Tribes & broadly supported by elected officials, businesses, hunters and anglers, scientists, veterans, & local community members. Chuckwalla National Monument 📌Located: South of Joshua Tree National Park Seven Tribes called for the protection of this cultural landscape. The monument will honor Tribal sovereignty, boost the local economy, and help ensure access to nature for local residents. Sáttítla Highlands National Monument 📌Located: Northeastern California Since time immemorial, the Pit River Nation has regarded Sáttítla as sacred, and this area remains a spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc Nations as well as for surrounding Tribal Peoples. The monument also protects critical water resources for millions of Californians. … During our #MobilizingForMonuments Road Trip with Flickr, The Conservation Alliance, and Rivian back in Fall of 2023, Chuckwalla was a stop on our quest to advocate for the permanent protection of US National Monuments under the threat from destructive resource development. Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project thanks President Joe Biden, Secretary Deb Haaland, Senator Alex Padilla & Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD for their work with community to ensure that current and future generations have access to public lands!

🔔 OPPORTUNITY ALERT 🔔 Join the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project along with our co-hosts: The Semilla Project, The Wilderness Society, and Western Resource Advocates for a virtual New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund 2025 Legislative Strategy Session on Monday, January 13 from 10:00am -11:00am MT. This is an opportunity for grantees to hear more about the #OutdoorEquityFund and learn about why we are requesting more funds and how you can get involved! Register now: bit.ly/2025OEF

And just like that 2024 is nearly over! 🗓😱 We’ve had some amazing experiences this year and couldn’t have done it without the love and support from our community. Here’s a recap of some major milestones for the Nuestra Tierra crew. In 2024 we: ⭐️ Debuted the “Mobilizing for Monuments” film with Flickr & REI and presented it to key decision-makers! ⭐️ Brought our community together to celebrate our 2nd Annual Earth Day at La Mancha Wetlands! ⭐️ Floated the Rio Grande with our Southern NM community to highlight the importance of water in New Mexico! ⭐️ Organized with the White House to connect the Council of Environmental Quality with New Mexicans in Albuquerque! ⭐️ Held our first Latino Conservation Week event at La Llorona Park! ⭐️ Debuted a new film in support of the Gila River Wild & Scenic Designation. ⭐️ Were honored to add 4 new members to our Board of Directors: Judy Calman, Lan Sena, Elvis Cordova, Jared Berenice Estrada. ⭐️ Helped organize the America the Beautiful for All Coalition conference in Puerto Rico — a coalition that centers the voices of people of color and frontline communities working to conserve 30% of our public lands, waters and ocean by the year 2030! ⭐️ Helped get out the vote at the Juntos Por Doña Ana - La Vida es Una Fiesta celebration at the Plaza de Las Cruces! ⭐️ Added four new staff members to the Nuestra Tierra Crew: Danielle Malloy - Development Manager; Laura Flores - Partnerships & Outreach Manager; Graciela Corral Hernandez - Operations & Events Coordinator; Natasha Norman - Communications Manager ⭐️ Hosted our 4th Annual Iluminando Las Montañas event at Dripping Springs Natural Area The good work continues. Forward to 2025! #NuestraTierra #OutdoorEquity #NewMexico #Conservation #Community 

🚨 CAJA DEL RIO NEEDS OUR VOICE🚨 This historic New Mexican landscape - home to Indigenous tribes and Pueblos, thousands of petroglyphs, and vital wildlife corridors - is under threat. Where burrowing owls nest in ancient cliffs and elk herds roam freely through cacti forests, this 106,883-acre treasure Southwest of Santa Fe deserves National Monument status. But illegal dumping and mining are putting it all at risk. Join New Mexico’s Congressional delegation in calling for permanent protection through the Antiquities Act. Here are some ways YOU can take action: + Share your stories, experiences, and photos of the Caja - and tag leaders and decision-makers like President Joe Biden  @POTUS  and Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland @SecretaryDebHaaland + Like/follow and reshare content by Caja del Rio Coalition  - a broad and diverse group of Pueblo, Hispanic, conservation, outdoor recreation, and community organizations dedicated to ensuring proper protection and management of Caja del Rio. + Use hashtags like #ProtectCajaDelRio and #NewMexicoPublicLands + Stay up to date via https://lnkd.in/gwyePyYD ¡Juntos podemos! The power of community can get us there.