WildernessProtection - New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

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Fighting for Otero MesaSWECby Trisha LondonSince coming into the fold of theNew Mexico Wilderness Alliance, asthe southern representative and organizerin Las Cruces, I have gottento know my colleagues with whomI share offi ce space in the SouthWest Environmental Center (SWEC.)Speaking as one who’s fairly new toorganizing, it’s been the greatest privilegefor me to be in the company ofpeople that are so professional andpassionate about their work. TheCenter is a grassroots, non-profitadvocacy group formed by its ExecutiveDirector, Kevin Bixby in 1992.For twelve years, Bixby’s dedicatedefforts have madeSWEC Las Cruces’s primary conservationgroup. It’s a group that isvery grounded in the community andreally reflects the community itself.In August of 2003, Bixby firstacquired funding to hire an organizerfor the Center. As fortune had it,Jim Steitz a public lands activist fromUtah, was intrigued by the potentialof the “Otero Mesa” issue. Jim recallswanting to come to New Mexico totake an active role in the campaign“because it looked like an issue thatwas ripe for a revolution”. Accordingto Executive Director of the NewMexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWA),Stephen Capra, “Steitz and Bixbyhave literally kept the momentum ofthe Otero Mesa Campaign movingforward since the climax event in Januaryat the Kimo Theater in Albuquerque.”They are active participants onthe “Otero Mesa Coalition”, a coaliltionconsisting of representativesfrom national conservation groupslike the Wilderness Society, NationalWildlife Federation, Sierra Club andothers who lend critical expertiseand support to the campaign. Bixbyand Steitz make such a great teamin part because they complementone another so well. A great balanceis struck with Bixby’s eloquenceand statesman qualities and Steitz’senthusiastic talents as a professionalrabble-rouser. Steitz has organizedintensively since coming on boardthe SWEC in numerous ways forOtero Mesa, including demonstratingat Steve Pearce’s Las Cruces Offi ce,phone-banking and letter writingcampaigns, as well as door to doorleafleting, and constant petitioningand tabling. Jim has effectively keptcitizens informed, nonstop, on thelatest developments and their implicationsregarding Otero Mesa.SWEC’s dedication to the OteroMesa issue has kept it center stagein the Las Cruces area. My ownfirst couple of weeks on the job forNMWA would fi nd me participatingin Jim’s “March and Street Theater”(for Otero Mesa) on the local Bureauof Land Management, where 20 of usmarched, carried signs and chantedall the way along the two mile walkthrough town to the BLM’s offi ce!When I asked Jim what Otero Mesameans to him, he replied: “OteroMesa is a symbol of everything that iseither right or wrong in our society. Asgoes Otero Mesa, so goes our society,for better or for worse.” As I ponderover our present state of affairs, Icouldn’t agree more. If , as individualswithin society, we can’t have heartsbig enough to let other communitiesof life and land persist in their authenticstate and continue to evolve, howthen will we tolerate one another, asthe challenge of having “meaning andquality” in our lives increases in directcorrelation with our own numbers?That Jim loves the work he does forwild places is an understatement, inmy opinion. His energy and enthusiasmfor protecting our irreplaceablelandscapes is contagious. He alsoshared some wisdom that is helpfulto those of us who face the challengeof unceasing threats to ourmost precious places: “An organizerhas a bird’s-eye-view of progressivethought and feeling. There’s far moreenergy and distress out there thananyone can imagine----and for thesake of our movement, it is essentialthat citizens sometimes ‘take onthe faith’ that their efforts do have animpact, even if it’s not perceptible tothem.”The SouthwestEnvironmental Center275 North Downtown Mall,Las Cruces, NM 88005(505) 522-5552swec@zianet.comTo the question of, ‘Why shouldsomeone care what happens toOtero Mesa if they never even seeit or go there?’, Jim responded that,“It’s beneficial to the human soul toknow there’s something beyond thestreet lights and noise of the city.The knowledge that we’ve taken fullcontrol of everything is not compatiblewith the human spirit. Mysteryand wildness are necessary for oursanity.”Needless to say, I’m thrilled andhonored to know dedicated peoplelike Jim and Kevin who are on thefront lines fighting for Otero Mesaalong with the NMWA. We wouldn’tget far in our efforts for wild placeswithout the commitment and passionof individuals like them. If you wantto get in touch with Kevin or Jim, theycan be reached at 505-522-5552. Oryou can drop into the Center and say“hello” or just enjoy the great nativefish aquarium, there. Also, volunteersare a critical component of this importantwork and always needed! TheCenter is located next to the DowntownMall in Las Cruces.A hearty thanks! to our Wildlands Painted! 2004 Sponsors:Prairie DogPals202 Central Avenue, SE • Suite 301 • Albuquerque, NM 87102El Dorado SquareJuan Tabo & MontgomeryComfort Shoes for Men & WomenStore HoursM-F 10–5:30 Sat. 10 – 5Phone 296-1645Opening next door in Sept.Sole’y BirkenstockThe Prairie Dogs in the greater Albuquerquearea are Gunnisons, one of the five species(genus Cynomys) of stout, short-legged,terrestrial squirrels, named for their bark-like call.Prairie Dog Pals is a non-profit 501(C)3organization dedicated to the preservationof Prairie Dogs in Albuquerque. Our goal is topreserve natural native prairie dog habitatsin appropriate areas.We help care for urban prairie dogs throughsupplemental feeding in barren areas and byrelocation for preservation and populationcontrol. We also provide information andeducation about Prairie Dogs to the public.For more information, please visitwww.PrairieDogPals.orgor call 505/296-1937Second toSun8100 Wyoming Blvd. NEAlbuquerque NM 87113505-856-2600Page 14 Summer 2004
ABQ AreaWith the longer days and warmingweather, we will nowmeet at 7:00am at our offi ce parkinglot on the SW corner of Centraland Broadway. Dress appropriatelyfor the weather and bring extrawear needed for weather and elevationchanges. Bring water, lunch,and enough munchies for the day.We will figure out the car pool situationin the parking lot (if you arewilling to drive, it is greatly appreciated).Our aim will be to have youback by 7:00pm, usually earlier.All hikes subject to change due toweather or fi re restrictions.August 1st:Sandia Mountain Wilderness, PiedraLisa TrailThe Piedra Lisa Spring Trail beginsin Cholla and Juniper and goes from6,120 feet to 8,200 feet. The hikeis moderate to strenuous due to a2,100 foot elevation gain within a 2mile stretch of trail. We will followthe trail up to the Rincon saddlethat comes off the shield. The viewfrom the saddle is spectacular! Afterenjoying the view, we will continueon down into the valley below. Thevalley has wonderful diversity inits plants and wildlife. Older childrenwho enjoy hiking are able tohike this trail, and there are severallovely spots to stop and restalong the way. Contact Hike Leaders,Tanya Critchfi eld at 505-244-4059 (Events@LosPoblanos.com)or Nathan Newcomer at 505-843-8696 (nathan@nmwild.org).Distance: 6 - 7 miles round-tripTime: 4 – 5 hours round-tripElevation Gain: 6,120 to 8,200 feetDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousAugust 7th:Sandia Mountain Wilderness,Three Guns Spring TrailWe start Three Gun Springs trailin a large, bowl shaped, southfacing canyon featuring diverseUpper Sonoran Zone vegetationand climb into Transition Zone Forestspast occasional riparian corridorsshaded by Douglas fi r. Viewsexpand out across Albuquerque toMt. Taylor. We meet Embudito trailat Oso Pass, a large saddle withgreat views north and south alongthe Sandia Wilderness’s wholelength. We descend down a deepcanyon with a well-developed ripariancorridor fi lled with huge treesand slowly reach the high desertback at the cars. Contact HikeLeader, Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 or mrichie@comcast.net formore information.Distance: 8 miles round-tripTime: 4 hours round-tripElevation Range:6,200 to 8,400 feetDifficulty: ModerateAugust 21st: Pecos Mountain Wilderness,Nambe LakeWe descend gently on the Winsortrail into the Pecos Wilderness forabout 2 miles to the steep turnoff up to alpine Nambe Lake. Theroute climbs along the Rio Nambethrough several verdant, wild flowerfi lled meadows past spruce / fir andaspen stands to picturesque NambeLake. Nestled below timberlinein a rocky cirque between LakePeak and Santa Fe Baldy the crystalclear waters reflect the colors ofsky, clouds, rocks and forests. We’llrelax on the shoreline and possiblydo a little scrambling beforeour descent. Contact Hike Leader,Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 ormrichie@comcast.net for moreinformation.Distance: 6 miles round-tripTime: 4-5 hours round-tripElevation range: 10,200to 11,400 feetDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousSeptember 12th:Manzano Mountain Wilderness, TrigoCanyonThe Trigo Canyon Trail begins onthe western slopes of the ManzanoMountains at the John F. Kennedycampground and crosses anintermittent stream before ascendingthrough a canyon full of numerouslarge alligator junipers. At 2.5miles, the trail passes a shallowcave and then several waterfalls.The trail then switchbacks up thecanyons north side and meandersup a pleasant forested valley. Atabout four miles, the trail leaves thestream and passes through a ponderosaforest before topping outat a beautiful knoll with spectacularviews to the north. Contact HikeLeader, Nathan Newcomer at 505-843-8696 or nathan@nmwild.orgfor more information.Distance: 8 miles round-tripTime: 4 to 6 hours round-tripElevation Range: 6,250 to 8,800 feetDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousSeptember 26th:Ojito Wilderness Study AreaWe will walk into the heart of theOjito badlands approaching eitherfrom the east or west depending onroad conditions. Rainbow bandedmesas guard natural sculpture gardensfilled with amusing hoo doosof all sizes and shapes. Twistedold junipers and dwarf ponderosaadd a touch of green to the fantastic,multi-colored rock forms.There are no trails and the crosscountrytrek involves lots of scramblingand path finding down windingwashes and up to picturesquemesa tops with panoramic highdesert views. Contact Hike Leader,Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 ormrichie@comcast.net for moreinformation.Distance: Depends on route andgroup decision (3-6 miles)Time: Same as above (3-5 hours)Elevation Range: 5,800 to 6,000 feetDifficulty: ModerateOctober 9th Weekend: WithingtonWilderness Outing in the San MateoMountainsAfter a long 4X4 drive, we’ll arriveat our trailhead campsite at 9,800feet in the early afternoon andtake a short warm up hike downto impressive rock formations inChimney Canyon. Next morning weleave early for our hike down intoPotato Canyon. The trail is very difficultto follow once we reach themaze of side canyons and soaringrock walls sheltering lush ripariangardens in the canyon depths.The box elders and oaks shouldbe sporting fall foliage and thestreams and small waterfalls shouldbe flowing. Contact Hike Leader,Mike Ritchie at 505-255-1016 ormrichie@comcast.net for moreinformation.Distance: Total with both hikes 10-12milesTime: Total time, full dayElevation range: 9,800 to 7,000 feetDifficulty: Strenuous to ModerateSouthern NMContact Trisha London in NMWA’sLas Cruces office for information on allthe following hikes, including how toget there and back. You can reach herat 505-527-9962.July 10th: Emory PassThis is a moderately strenuous hikejust inside the boundary of the AldoLeopold Wilderness. The hike offerssome great views of the Black Range.If you go all the way to the peak it’s9 miles round trip, otherwise wecoulddo about 6 miles round trip.August 14th: Three RiversThis hike makes for a long day butis worth it! We’ll be hiking along astream through the forest with hundredsof petroglyphs to enjoy alongthe way. The trail is steep in certainsections, but otherwise is a moderatelystrenuous hike. We’ll do a 5-6 mile round trip hike, but for thosewanting to go all the way to the crestit’s a 12 mile round trip.August 20th - 22nd: Peloncillo MtnsRoads InventoryThe Sky Island Alliance (SIA) ofTucson is hosting this volunteeropportunity to help inventory part ofthe Peloncillo Mountains in the southwestcorner of New Mexico. This is arare chance to see parts of the privatelands in this region. Space is limited,call Trevor Hare of SIA at (520) 624-7080.September 25th: Apache KidThis is an fairly strenuous hike. We’llbe starting at Springtime Campgroundto the southeast of San Mateo Peak.At 2 to 3 miles in, you get great viewstoward the Rio Grande Valley. Forthose who hike to San Mateo Peak,it’s a very strenuous 8 mile round trip.October 9th: Organ MountainsWe’ll be hiking Pine Tree Trail whichis about a 4 3/4 mile moderatelystrenuous “loop” hike. Really goodviews to be had as the trail circlesaround the base of the “needles”.New Mexico WILD!Page 15
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WildernessProtection - New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

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