Located south of Alamogordo, Otero Mesa covers 1.2 million acres in New Mexico, much of it managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Las Cruces District Office. What makes it rare is not one species or one site — it’s that the whole landscape still works together. It holds the largest remaining continuous black grama grassland in the Chihuahuan Desert. Black grama is a native grass that takes decades to recover once disturbed. The volcanic Cornudas Mountains, including Alamo and Wind Mountains, rise from the grassland near the Texas line. Less than 2% of this landscape has formal protection.

Its petroglyphs are at least 8,000 years old, and its rock shelters were used for thousands of years. The Mesa holds the history of the Mescalero Apache and other tribes. It also carries traces of Spanish colonial and Mexican travelers on the 1600s salt trails that fed the Camino Real, passengers on the 1850s Butterfield stagecoach route, and the Buffalo Soldiers.

The Mesa is also home to one of New Mexico’s healthiest pronghorn herds, black-tailed prairie dogs, and rare plants found in few other places. As many as 200 bird species use it, among them the endangered Aplomado falcon at the northern edge of its range. The National Audubon Society lists the Mesa as a globally Important Bird Area. A 2023 landscape assessment ranked the heart of the Mesa above 98% of comparable BLM lands in the West for reptile, amphibian, and mammal diversity. It ranked just as high for habitat connectivity — the room wildlife needs to move, migrate, and adapt as the climate shifts.

The Mesa’s greatest value is that it remains whole, and fragmentation is its greatest threat. Oil and gas drilling, rare-earth and hardrock mining, groundwater export, unmanaged off-road use and dumping could each carve it apart, one road and one well pad at a time. Each new development makes the next disturbance easier. Advocates have defended Otero Mesa for more than 20 years. In 2009, the State of New Mexico and conservation groups, including the Sierra Club, won a federal court ruling that struck down a plan to open the Mesa to oil and gas drilling.

How can we protect the New Mexican part of Otero Mesa into the future?

The BLM’s Tri-County Resource Management Plan for Sierra, Doña Ana, and Otero counties has been in draft since 2013. That draft analyses an Otero Mesa Grassland Wildlife Area of Critical Environmental Concern as one option. In 2014, the BLM said it had closed the Mesa to new oil and gas leases while the plan remained unfinished. Yet through that process the agency has twice declined to add protections for Otero Mesa. More than a decade later, the plan is still not done, and the Mesa still has no permanent protection, with none on the horizon from the BLM.

The Rio Grande Chapter is part of the Coalition to Protect Otero Mesa, which in 2024 asked the BLM to designate the heart of the Mesa an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. We work alongside Tribal leaders, conservation and sportsmen’s groups, and local communities toward permanent protection for the Mesa’s grasslands, water, wildlife, and cultural sites. That work needs your support as the coalition explores every available path to lasting protection at the federal and state levels.

Learn more at OteroMesa.org and message Antoinette Reyes to get involved at Antoinette.Reyes@sierraclub.org or 575-342-1727.

Recent articles

Otero Mesa

October 21, 2026

Located south of Alamogordo, Otero Mesa covers 1.2 million acres in New Mexico, much of it managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Las Cruces District Office. The Rio Grande Chapter is part of the Coalition to Protect Otero Mesa, which in 2024 asked the BLM to designate the heart of the Mesa an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. We work alongside Tribal leaders, conservation and sportsmen's groups, and local communities toward permanent protection for the Mesa's grasslands, water, wildlife, and cultural sites. That work needs your support as the coalition explores every available path to lasting protection at the federal and state levels ...

Read More

Land

Otero Mesa bore hole defunded

September 5, 2017

Many Otero County residents breathed a sigh of relief in May when the U.S. Department of Energy withdrew its proposal to drill a 3-mile borehole in Otero Mesa to research the storage of radioactive waste.  The DOE had identified five potential sites for its test site, one in Otero County. The other possible locations were in Quay County, New Mexico, Pecos County, Texas, and two South Dakota counties.  The test would require drilling a 8.5-inch-diameter hole down 16,000 feet. If that were successful, they would attempt an 18-inch hole — also 3 miles deep. The object of drilling the larger borehole would be to determine if the hole is straight enough to accept nuclear waste canisters all the way down.  ...

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El Paso Group, Latest News, Southern New Mexico Group

Take action to protect Roadless Areas here: sc.org/roadless1

Since 2001 more than 45 million acres of land (1.6 million acres in New Mexico) have been protected and untouched by new road construction, thanks to the federal government’s “Roadless Rule.”

At its inception, this issue had broad public support across both sides of the political spectrum. But in addition, this rule not only protects our untouched public lands from the logging, mining, and extraction that follows. These lands are a buffer against human-caused wildfires, a haven for countless species of wildlife, and a source of clean water that supplies communities across the country. 

In 2026, the Trump administration moved to repeal this rule. The Chapter acted quickly, aligning with partner environmental groups to stand against this public lands giveaway and the administration’s attempts to throttle public input. 

Recent articles

Roadless areas

October 21, 2026

Since 2001 more than 45 million acres of land (1.6 million acres in New Mexico) have been protected and untouched by new road construction, thanks to the federal government’s “Roadless Rule." The Trump administration has moved to repeal this rule ...

Read More

Land

“Roadless Rule” Town Halls across New Mexico

September 5, 2026

Trump’s Forest Service has moved to repeal the Roadless Rule, an essential piece of environmental regulation that protects 45 million acres of pristine land (1.6 million acres in New Mexico) from road construction and the inevitable logging, mining, and extraction that follows. Plan to attend a town hall meeting to protest this change ...

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Events, Land, Press Release, Urgent...Act Today

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Statement on Gutting of Federal  Roadless Rule 

August 19, 2026

On August 18, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the U.S. Forest Service had filed a proposed rule to rescind in its entirety the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule ...

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Land, Press Release

Contact: Bill Rodgers (he/him)
Communications, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, (330) 881-9918 | bill.rodgers@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Statement on Gutting of Federal  Roadless Rule

Forests, Water Resources, Communities at Risk as Comment Period Opens

ALBUQUERQUE – On Tuesday U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the U.S. Forest Service had filed a proposed rule to rescind in its entirety the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

If the Roadless Area Conservation Rule is repealed, 45 million acres of pristine national forests across the country (1.6 million acres in New Mexico) would be opened up for the first time in more than 20 years to road building and the logging, mining, and extractive industries that come with that. These lands are not only key recreation areas for New Mexicans, but they are the source of clean water for communities around the State.

The filing touches off about one month of public comments. Public comments will be accepted until midnight on Sept. 21 and local organizations will lead town hall hearings throughout the state to be announced in the coming month. Though the Trump administration has demonstrated a willingness to steamroll public land protections, the Roadless Rule remains very popular, with more than 600,000 people voicing their support in comments last year. The New Mexico congressional delegation is in strong support of the rule as well, issuing a letter to the administration in September 2025 to demand New Mexico be exempt from any Roadless repeals.

It is the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter’s goal to demonstrate to this hostile administration and their cronies in extractive industries that New Mexicans will not allow their lands to be given away and despoiled.

“We are asking residents to sign our action alert and add their names to the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who want their lands to remain protected. The Chapter encourages New Mexicans who feel discouraged to remember this regime will not be in power forever, and action today puts us in a better position to work with future administrations whose priorities are in line with the will of the people,”
said Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

A comment period was organized to receive public input on the Trump administration’s proposal to revoke the Roadless Rule, a policy enacted in 2001 that protects nearly 60 million acres of national forests across 36 states and Puerto Rico. In June 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the administration’s plan to repeal the rule, which would open these wild landscapes to roads and development. A brief public comment period was held in fall of 2025 and received more than 600,000 comments – 99% of which supported retaining the Roadless Rule.

The two-decade-old rule protects against new roadbuilding and the extractive industries that roads can lead to, such as logging and mining, in backcountry forestlands that have been undisturbed by major development. During the process that resulted in the original 2001 rule, the U.S. Forest Service held more than 600 public meetings over the course of 18 months to help inform the policy.

Roadless forests offer people a wide range of recreational activities, provide wildlife with much-needed habitat and range connectivity, and protect the headwaters of rivers which are vital for maintaining clean drinking water nationwide. Rescinding the Roadless Rule nationally would increase logging and other destructive, extractive development in public forests that currently function as intact ecosystems to benefit wildlife and people alike.

■ ■ ■

Read the proposed rule change
Roadless areas web page
Sign the Sierra Club action alert

“Two Futures. One Vote” Addresses Climate Accountability

ALBUQUERQUE — A coalition of nonprofits launched a campaign addressing the urgent need for climate action and is asking the 77 percent of New Mexicans who support common sense climate policy for their help.

In February, the New Mexico Senate defeated the Clear Horizons Act (SB18), a bill which would have codified greenhouse reduction goals that have worked successfully for eight years. This bill would have reduced our pollution to what it was in 2005, reaching net zero by 2050. These goals were outlined in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s climate initiatives set in 2019. New Mexico’s largest polluters, mainly the oil and gas industry, limited their pollution under this plan.

Oil and gas lobbyists, who represent industries that reap tremendous profits by extracting our publicly owned resources, launched a well-funded misinformation campaign to swing votes. These lobbyists would not have been successful had seven Democratic Senators not sided with every Republican against the bill. It was defeated 23-19 with the help of Senators Roberto Gonzales (D-Taos), Shannon Pinto (D-Tohatchi), George Muñoz (D-Gallup), Benny Shendo (D-Jemez Pueblo), Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque), and Antonio Maestas (D-Albuquerque).

As New Mexicans stare down another wildfire season with almost no precipitation, record-low snowpack, and the hottest temperatures recorded in 131 years, and as costs to taxpayers for dealing with climate disasters has crested billions of dollars, the Senate’s choice to side with oil corporations against New Mexicans demands accountability. We are disappointed in Democrats who ignore what their constituents want and buy into the misinformation of corporations. We are fed up with lawmakers of both parties who refuse to act as members of their communities deal with loss of life and livelihood, property damage, flooding, negative health outcomes and yearly recordbreaking wildfires.

Our campaign, “Two Futures. One Vote,” recognizes that we are standing at a crossroads. If lawmakers continue to be negligent, wildfires and climate disasters will get worse. On the other hand, New Mexico could instead embrace the values held by a supermajority of its people. It could enact climate reforms and protect our land, water, wildlife and health. This would not only save our state from the industries that are killing us, but would also benefit our economy through clean, safe, and reliable alternative energy.

Our coalition asks New Mexicans to join us. Would you please thank senators who stood with their communities or express your disappointment to senators who allowed themselves to be swayed by lobbyists and their misinformation? Please follow the links included in our advertisements. You can contact these lawmakers directly using the action alerts on the Sierra Club’s website.

The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter is joined in this message by 350 NM, GreenLatinos, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light and the Western Environmental Law Center.

To the Senators who voted YES: Thank you!

You stood up for New Mexico. For clean air, economic certainty, and technological innovation. You tried to protect families from costs related to extreme heat, wildfires, drought, health impacts and loss of livelihoods. You understood that no snow pack means no spring runoff. That extreme fires lead to profoundly dangerous flash floods. You recognized that climate solutions lead to economic resilience – and that planning ahead will benefit New Mexico’s workers, our communities and our economy. We are grateful for your leadership!

Contact your senator who voted yes

To the Senators who voted NO: We expected better.

At a time when families are paying more than ever for utility bills because of hotter and longer summers and more for homeowners insurance, especially after disasters, you chose to leave us with an uncertain future. Drought and extreme heat will continue to harm New Mexico. The costs of inaction are real: billions in taxpayer money. And these costs will continue to rise. You also chose to deprive New Mexico of the economic benefits of safe, plentiful energy, innovation and jobs. New Mexicans deserve leaders who confront challenges and seek new opportunities, not refuse to act in times of crisis.

Contact your senator to express your disappointment 

What: The New Mexico Environment Department and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department are hosting an online meeting to gather public input about methane regulations and community impacts.

When: Thursday, March 19th from 2PM – 6PM

Details and registration: http://methanemattersnm.org/rsvp/

As we all deal with the uncertainty of this difficult time for our health and economy, it is more important than ever that New Mexico stays the course on critical public health initiatives to protect our children, our air and our climate.

For the past year, the state has been preparing to enact state regulations to reduce methane waste and pollution, and Governor Lujan Grisham needs to hear from you about the urgent need for nationally-leading rules this year. Please plan to participate in Thursday’s web-based methane meeting and let your voice be heard.

• New Mexico has a methane waste and pollution problem – it’s costing our schools millions in revenue, ruining our air and harming our climate for future generations. Unlike other top producing oil and gas states, New Mexico has no requirements prohibiting methane waste and associated pollution from escaping. That constitutes an immediate health threat to all New Mexicans, and it needs to change this year.
• New Mexico can’t afford methane waste. Each year, oil and gas companies waste $275 million-worth of natural gas through venting, flaring and leaks which costs the state over $40 million in royalty and tax revenue that could fund public education and other critical services.
• Methane also is a powerful climate change pollutant responsible for 25 percent of the warming we experience today, and oil and gas operations release ozone-forming pollutants that worsen respiratory diseases such as emphysema and asthma. If action isn’t taken increasing oil and gas production will lead to even higher pollution levels.
• The recent drop in oil prices underscores the importance of state action to reduce methane waste and pollution. he downturn means New Mexico’s school funding and other key budget priorities are vulnerable, and methane waste costs the state valuable tax and royalty revenue.
• We applaud Governor Lujan Grisham for seeking public input on the state’s plan to create regulations to reduce methane waste and pollution from the oil and gas industry, and we urge everyone to let your voice be heard about the need for nationally leading rules that protect our community, our health and our children.

 Webcast Details for Community Impacts Meeting on March 19

Due to the state’s ban on mass public gatherings in response to COVID-19, the New Mexico Departments of Environment (NMED) and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources (EMNRD) are transitioning the scheduled Community Impacts Meeting in Farmington on March 19 to a webcast format. While our departments recognize that hosting community meetings in person is ideal, state government is taking essential steps to limit the spread of the virus.

Registration is required to join the meeting, register here. For the open house portion, participants have the option of joining four virtual rooms where they will be able to ask questions and interact directly with presenters. Details on how to join this portion are available here:

• Cultural impacts
• Health impacts
• Economic impacts
• Speak with state government representatives from NMED and EMNRD

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

• 2 – 3:30 pm: Introduction, update and background presentation from NMED and EMNRD, and expert presentations on health, cultural, and economic impacts of oil and gas activity
• 3:30 – 4:15 pm: Moderated panel for question-and-answer session
• 4:15 – 5 pm: Attendees may provide statements
• 5 – 6 pm: Virtual “open house”

Presentations will be made available to the public on the departments’ webpage beforehand in preparation for the webcast. State government officials will be available from 2-6 p.m. as planned to present on the cultural, health and economic impacts of oil and gas activity in New Mexico and answer questions. Participants are encouraged to ask questions via the question feature on the webcast or text the moderator Julia Barnes at 505-470-7349 to submit questions to the presenters.

A free conference call line will also be provided for anyone who does not have the ability to access the video portion of the webcast. Please contact Susan Torres 505 476-3226, susan.torres@state.nm.us to request a toll free number. For phone access only dial (415) 655-0052 code 421-151-200. The meeting will also be recorded and posted online for anyone unable to access the livestream.

EMNRD and NMED continue to strive for a transparent process and appreciate the public understanding the change of format. We encourage the public to learn more about our methane strategy. We welcome feedback after the event on the use of virtual meeting tools in this situation.

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As we embark on the 30-day budget session at our State Legislature, we will again carry out grassroots lobby trainings throughout the state.  These trainings will provide you with an overview of key bills that our environmental community will be pushing forward (and in some cases pushing back on.).  You’ll hear from actual, local elected official about their experience at the Roundhouse and about what they think makes for an effective grassroots lobbyist. The training will help you learn how you can play a role in passing environmental legislation.

Santa Fe – Monday, January 6, 6-8 pm, Southside Public Library, 6599 Jaguar Dr, Santa Fe
Albuquerque – Wednesday, January 8, 6-8pm, St Mark’s Episcopal Church, 431 Richmond Pl NE, Albuquerque
Las Cruces – Thursday, January 9,  5:30-7:30 PM, Branigan Library, 200 E Picacho Ave, Las Cruces
Silver City – Tuesday, January 14, 6-8 pm, Church of Harmony, 609 N. Arizona St, Silver City
Aztec – Wednesday, January 15th, 6-8pm – Step Back Inn, 123 West Aztec Blvd, Aztec

RSVP here – https://tinyurl.com/Lobby2020

We’ll put our skills to the test on Tuesday, January 28 at Environment Day at the Roundhouse.  We’ll have information tables up and down the Halls of History at the Roundhouse.  We’ll provide several informational panels on the bills that we are promoting, in addition to a couple of short lobby trainings for people who want a refresher before we go in groups to speak with legislators.  We’ll visit Committee Hearings where our priority bills are being heard. And we’ll have an event at noon in the Rotunda to hear from our elected environmental champions. You can also sign up for this event here – https://tinyurl.com/Lobby2020.

Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) in Alamogordo wants to expand its F-16 pilot training airspace across southwestern New Mexico. Although the Air Force acknowledges that current airspace is adequate for F-16 combat training, it proposes an annual additional of 10,000 sorties, discharge of 15,000 flares and 15,000 bundles of chaff. The future of Holloman AFB is not at risk. We shouldn’t sacrifice the Gila, America’s first wilderness, and other special places in southwestern New Mexico. This region is critical to state and local tourism, retiree, and outdoor recreation economies.

Holloman’s Alternatives 2 and 3 would create a 7 million-acre Military Operations Area (MOA) over southwestern New Mexico including training flights for; low-level (500 feet Above Ground Level), high-level (above 13,500 Mean Sea Level or about 7500 AGL depending upon location), supersonic (above 30,00MSL) and nighttime training.

Population centers impacted include the Rio Grande Valley communities of Socorro, Truth or Consequences, and Las Cruces; Gila Gateway communities, including Silver City, Bayard, Santa Clara, Hillsboro, Kingston, Cliff, and Gila; and northern, including Datil and Magdalena.

Impacts include:

• Extreme noise from training operations that will disturb the peace and quiet of rural communities and national forests and wilderness areas.
• Dropping of flares poses a significantly increased level of wildfire risk to an area already vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire that doesn’t have many resources for firefighting.
• Use of chaff pollutes our environment.
• Military training over our area puts people at risk from military aircraft crashes, affects the thousands of veterans that have sought refuge in our communities to heal PTSD, and startles horses, livestock and wildlife affecting ranching, hunting, and backcountry recreation.
• These impacts undermine the quality of life and the natural amenities that are the foundation for retiree, local tourism and outdoor recreation economies

The Air Force acknowledges that Alternative 1 – expansion and reconfiguration of Talon MOA, east of Alamogordo – meets its additional training needs with the fewest risks and impacts because it builds on existing airspace. We recognize the role of Holloman’s F-16 pilot training mission to national defense. Alternative 1 best meets those needs.

Take action

Read more – Fact Sheet

Read more – Public Comment Information

Make a public comment

You may know that drillers inject water underground to release oil and gas during fracking. The industrial waste that comes back up is called “produced water,” and it is contaminated both by the chemicals that companies put into it and by the minerals released from the ground.

Companies have to figure out what to do with the wastewater that comes back up. Ideally, they reuse it in the oil fields instead of consuming fresh water for the millions of gallons that fracking requires.

But some have proposed reusing the fracking wastewater elsewhere, like for watering crops and livestock, or discharging into rivers.

Tell New Mexico Environment Department: Prohibit reuse of fracking wastewater outside the oil fields.

The New Mexico Environment Department is holding public meetings before writing rules about where and how produced water can be treated and used. There’s a meeting from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  Wednesday, October 30, at St. Francis Auditorium, 107 W. Palace Ave. in Santa Fe.

Please meet Sierra Club’s Miya King-Flaherty in the lobby at 5:30 to get more information about what you can say to ensure strong rules. The rules the state eventually writes will also be open for formal public comment.

Here are the facts on “produced” water:

• Produced water should not be used outside of the oil and gas field. There has been little research on New Mexico produced water and its potential impacts on water, soil, and human health. Because some fracking fluids are classified as trade secrets, we do not actually know what is in this fracking wastewater or how to treat it. Critically, we lack EPA-approved testing methods for around 77% of potential produced-water chemicals.
• Regulatory standards haven’t been written with produced-water chemicals in mind – so fracked water could be treated to meet existing standards and still contain harmful chemicals. For example, ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in antifreeze and toxic to humans and animals, is one of the 10 most used chemicals in hydraulic fracturing, repeatedly showing up in produced water. But it is not on the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation list, so treated produced water could contain ethylene glycol and still meet drinking-water standards.
• Until we have thorough science and appropriate standards, any re-use outside of the oilfield could allow industry to profit off their wastewater at the expense of public health.

Please send your comments to the Environment Department and attend Wednesday’s meeting if you can. It is critical that environment supporters ensure that New Mexico has strong regulations.

Brittany Fallon
Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter conservation organizer
brittany.fallon@sierraclub.org

You may know that the oil & gas industry injects water underground to release oil and gas during fracking. The industrial waste that comes back up is called “produced water,” and it is contaminated both by the chemicals that companies put into it and by the minerals released from the ground. Companies have to figure out what to do with the wastewater that comes back up. Ideally, they reuse it on the oil fields instead of using fresh water. But there are some concerning proposals to reuse that wastewater in other places, like for watering crops and livestock, or discharging it into rivers.

That’s where you come in: we need your help. The New Mexico Environment Department is holding public meetings all over the state before they write rules about produced water treatment and re-use, in Albuquerque (Oct 15), Santa Fe (Oct 30), Carlsbad (Nov 14), Farmington (Nov 19), and Las Cruces (Nov 25). The rule they eventually write will then later also be open for formal public comment.

Here are the facts. Produced water should NOT be used outside of the oil and gas field. There has been little research on New Mexico produced water and its potential impacts on water, soil, and human health. Because some frac fluids are classified as trade secrets, we do not actually know what is in this fracking wastewater or how to treat it. Critically, we lack EPA-approved testing methods for around 77% of potential produced water chemicals, and only about 9% of these chemicals appear on major federal water/waste regulatory lists, like those stemming from the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Although a new research consortium just formed at NMSU to tackle our lack of understanding about produced water, doing such research properly will take years. Until we have thorough science, any re-use outside of the oilfield could allow industry to profit off of their wastewater at the expense of public health. 

It is critical that environment supporters participate to ensure that New Mexico has strong regulations if the state decides to permit new reuse options for this wastewater. Please RSVP here to attend: https://forms.gle/6nYGxBxLkSaefEmcA

Read more about why produced water in New Mexico. You can also read about why drinking water standards are the wrong standards for produced water treatment here.

For more information, please contact Brittany Fallon: brittany.fallon@sierraclub.org

A youth-led walk-out from over 20 Albuquerque Schools will strike against a status quo of complacency, inaction and injustice on climate change, and join global voices to call for a livable future.

Albuquerque, NM — On Friday, Sept 20th, Albuquerque’s youth urge adults to participate with them side-by-side as they walk out of their classrooms to strike for their future and to call for the urgent implementation of climate action plans at every level of government. Thousands of students and adults are expected at the strike as part of a global demonstration of power, solidarity and mobilization to address the climate crisis head on. The youth have concluded the time for reticence has passed and it’s time to take risks, speak up and fight hard with the power of their collective voice.

“Young people know we are handing them a dire future that they have not chosen. The climate crisis affects everyone on our planet and, at the very least, we owe them our support by joining them in the streets. Climate solutions are available, we just need the political will to act.”
Delese Dellios with 350 New Mexico.

Youth Calls to Action:

1. US Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich to sign on to the Green New Deal
2. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the NM State Legislature:

• • NM to create a Just Transition fund from oil & gas revenues to build a sustainable carbon neutral economy for all New Mexicans
  • 100% renewable energy by 2030
  • Moratorium on fracking
  • Pass community solar legislation in 2020

A Climate Action Fair will include youth speakers, Mayor Tim Keller, youth performances and a multitude of interactive activities for kids and adults: Interactive Conservation Van, youth circus performers, art, voter-registration, climate Jenga, composting, climate actions and more.

WHO: Albuquerque Youth speakers (elementary to college students), Samuel Sage (Diné community leader), youth interfaith leaders, youth poets (D’nessa McDaniels and Mercedes Holtry) and performances by DJ Gravity, Freddy Flopez and Wake Self, Mayor Tim Keller, Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Albuquerque’s Poet Laureates; Michelle Otero, Jessica Helen Lopez and Manuel Gonzalez.

WHAT: Global Climate Strike, Climate Action Fair and March to US Senate Offices

WHEN: Friday Sept 20
12:30-5pm, Climate Action Fair
1-2:30pm, Speakers
2:30-3:30pm, March to US Senators Heinrich & Udall offices at 400 Gold Avenue SW

WHERE:  Robinson Park, 810 Copper Ave NW

STATEWIDE: Additional Strikes will Take Place in Santa Fe, Farmington, Las Cruces and Silver City.

More information – Albuquerque at www.climatestrikeabq.com
Live streaming – www.facebook.com/350NM/

Sponsored by: 350New Mexico, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Global Warming Emergency, Moms Clean Air Force, Citizens Climate Lobby Albuquerque Chapter, Indivisible Nob Hill,  March For Science, Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, NM Solar Energy Association, Positive Energy Solar, Affordable Solar, La Montanita Coop, Blue Moon Marketplace, Little Green Bucket,  Organizing For Action Nob Hill, Pueblo Action Alliance, Generation Justice, Burque Revolt, Rio Grande Community Farm, Frack off Greater Chaco, Southwest Native Cultures, Progressive Democrats of America, Central New Mexico, Wild Friends, WasteLess Life NM, Climate Change Leadership Institute, Jason Marks Law, Curtis & Company Law firm, Physicians For Social Responsibility, Center For Action and Contemplation, and generous donations by individuals.

Resolutions in support of the Youth Strike:  Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Albuquerque Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council

Contacts:
Anni Hanna, 350NM Outreach Coordinator anni.hanna@gmail.com, 505-879-3806
Delese Dellios, 350NM Campaign Coordinator Delese@350newmexico.org, 505-688-5343
Lilith Clark, NM Youth Climate Strike lilithsec@gmail.com, 505-400-0574
Jonathon Alonzo, Fight for Our Lives, jonathon.r.alonzo@gmail.com, 505-544-1685