Annual Report 3 - New Mexico - Energy, Minerals and Natural ...

SOCORRO DISTRICT – Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Socorro counties: The Socorro
District encompasses 8,784,232 acres of state and private lands in southwest New Mexico. Vegetation types
and topography are as diverse as anywhere in the state. The district staff works with a multitude of landowners,
community organizations and other local, state and federal agencies to deliver Forestry’s program of work in an
effective manner to its partners and customers.
The district has been a primary player in the “Save Our Bosque Taskforce” since its incorporation in 1994. This
grass roots organization has worked to protect, restore and enhance the Rio Grande Bosque outside of the two area
National Wildlife Refuges. This has resulted in the creation of 17 Rio Grande riverside parks, the Socorro Nature
Area, multiple landowner assistance projects totaling over 500 acres including fuel breaks, and invasive species
control projects.
Currently, the district has more than $2.5 million committed to soil and water conservation districts, county
governments, and other partners that help work with landowners and agencies to complete large scale projects.
An example of this collaborative approach is the Unit 16 E Project that will match various sources of funds to restore
state, private and BLM lands within the New Mexico Game & Fish hunting unit 16E. To date, over 28,000 acres
have been treated among the three land jurisdictions using prescribed fire, prescribed natural fire and mechanical
methods.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010
Photo by: Dan Ware
A fire crew battles
the Stable Fire.
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