THE FORUM BEGINS AT SIX THIS EVENING AT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER. 60,000 ACRES OF LAND IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO ARE NOW PROTECTED THANKS TO A MAJOR CONSERVATION EFFORT. THIS IS PART OF A PROJECT LED BY THE NEW MEXICO LAND CONSERVANCY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS. THE ACRES INCLUDE AN AREA NEAR WHITE SANDS KNOWN AS TURKEY RIDGE. OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL LIMIT DEVELOPMENT FOR DECADES WHILE PROTECTING WILDLIFE HABITAT, CULTURAL SITES AND WORKING RANCH LAND
N.M. Land Conservancy announces protection of 60K acres
Combines with an earlier easement, 120,000 acres of contiguous land will be protected from development.
A major conservation effort led by the New Mexico Land Conservancy will prevent large developments on more than 60,000 acres in southern New Mexico for 75 years. According to a news release from the State Land Office, it’s the second agreement between that agency, NMLC, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Together, the agreements will protect more than 120,000 acres of contiguous land that will be the second-largest conservation easement in the state. The latest area includes Turkey Ridge, an area near White Sands for which the State Land Office received $3.2 million to benefit public education and other institutions. The earlier easement protected the Chupadera Mesa and gave $2.8 million to SLO for public institutions.The agreement will help DOD prevent developments that could interfere with testing and training at the White Sands Missile Range. It does not affect current grazing leases on the land.
A major conservation effort led by the New Mexico Land Conservancy will prevent large developments on more than 60,000 acres in southern New Mexico for 75 years.
According to a news release from the State Land Office, it’s the second agreement between that agency, NMLC, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Together, the agreements will protect more than 120,000 acres of contiguous land that will be the second-largest conservation easement in the state.
The latest area includes Turkey Ridge, an area near White Sands for which the State Land Office received $3.2 million to benefit public education and other institutions. The earlier easement protected the Chupadera Mesa and gave $2.8 million to SLO for public institutions.
The agreement will help DOD prevent developments that could interfere with testing and training at the White Sands Missile Range. It does not affect current grazing leases on the land.
