May 22, 2018
ALBUQUERQUE: The New Mexico Wildlife Federation (NMWF) is excited to host an event to highlight the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as well gains to improving public lands access we have achieved with our partners and elected officials in recent months. On May 29th, we are honored to join Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, the National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Colin O’Mara, and our partners at Petroglyph National Monument to call on permanently reauthorizing LWCF and celebrating the opening of the Sabinoso Wilderness.
LWCF is one of our most successful conservation programs, bringing millions of dollars to New Mexico for restoration projects, park maintenance, public lands access, and more. Unfortunately, the fund is set to expire on September 30th and it is important that the public and our elected officials stand together to call on it’s permanent reauthorization. On May 29th Senator Udall, Senator Heinrich, O’Mara, and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation’s Andrew Black, as well as community members will discuss the importance of this program for conservation and recreation.
NMWF, the Wilderness Land Trust, The Trust for Public Land, and guests will also celebrate the opening of the Sabinoso Wilderness. In November 2017, after years of advocacy by sportsmen and women, our elected officials, and outdoor users, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the opening of Sabinoso, making the last inaccessible wilderness open to the public.
“This event is a great opportunity to celebrate the success of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as the opening of Sabinoso – a huge win for the sportsmen and women of New Mexico,” said Todd Leahy, Acting Executive Director, New Mexico Wildlife Federation. “Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have been crucial champions for both LWCF and the fight to open Sabinoso and we’re excited to be able to come together to highlight this important work. Getting LWCF fully funded and permanently reauthorized will take a team effort – I look forward to seeing all of our partners in one place to keep the work moving forward.”
Press and the public are encouraged to attend the event.
Details:
Tuesday, May 29th
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center
Remarks followed by lunch.
