New Mexico Forestry Division

06/03/2026

To better meet New Mexico’s urgent reforestation needs, the Forestry Division is re-energizing its popular Conservation Seedlings program.

Since the 1960s, this popular program has distributed millions of trees for conservation goals, including streambank restoration, erosion control and wildlife habitat improvement.

Beginning this fall, the new Seedlings for Reforestation program will guide high-demand seedling varieties like ponderosa pine and Douglas fir to fire-damaged areas to reduce long-term effects of erosion, flooding and degraded watersheds.

The new program will target the state’s limited seedling supply to the areas where it will have the most productive impact.

More than 7 million acres have burned across New Mexico this decade, leaving large areas with high-severity burn scars. These forests are unable to naturally regenerate, leading to persistent flooding that threatens communities.

“With limited seedlings and a changing climate, we need to prioritize getting the right tree to the right place at the right time,” said State Forester Laura McCarthy. “We need to think about how the landscape functions and act with urgency. Our new Seedlings for Reforestation program aims to do exactly that.”

Read the full release: https://mailchi.mp/state/seedling-program-reforestation

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

Our forests face urgent issues.

We're hiring an attorney to provide counsel, litigation, rulemaking and analysis to support New Mexico Forestry Division's diverse programs and operations and ensure they comply with state and federal law.

Applications close June 3. Visit emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/join

Spread the word! 📣🌲

05/28/2026

Three years, three rivers, 15,000 native trees.

A major project wrapped along the San Juan, Animas, and La Plata Rivers, restoring riverbanks and corridors that had been heavily encroached by invasive species.

Over three years, this project:

🌿 Removed 2,000 acres of invasive plants
🌿 Seeded 1,100 acres of native grasses
🌿 Planted 2,200 cottonwoods and 13,000 willows

The Three Rivers Restoration Project was a joint endeavor between the Forestry Division and San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District.

One project, one giant leap for restoring healthy ecosystems in New Mexico🌿

05/28/2026

Thanks to Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico for participating in our annual Memorial Day recognition of fallen wildland firefighters in New Mexico, held at Capitan's Smokey Bear Historical Park

05/26/2026

In much of the West, the first sign of a wildfire is still a plume of smoke reported by a hiker or concerned resident. But often by the time fire crews arrive, the fire has already spread.

AI wildfire detection technology aims to shrink that detection and response window to just a few minutes.

Ultra–high-resolution cameras mounted on mountaintops and cellular towers, paired with artificial intelligence, look for smoke by day and heat signatures at night. The system is monitored around the clock by human analysts, who verify detections before sending alerts to fire agencies, utilities and other partners.

Speed is crucial—but State Forester Laura McCarthy stressed that prevention is paramount. Despite new technology, New Mexico continues to see many human-caused fires. With statewide restrictions currently in place, McCarthy said it’s up to residents to follow the rules and “do their part to prevent wildfires.”

Read the full story: knpr.org/2026-05-08/ai-technology-expands-in-the-mountain-west-to-reduce-wildfires