New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 24, 2008:
HABITAT STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED STATEWIDE
SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Citizen’s Advisory Committee meetings for 2008. Citizen advisors will prioritize habitat projects for 2009 and 2010 and make their recommendations at the State Game Commission meeting May 29 in Farmington. All are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings:
- Central: 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
- Southeast: 1 p.m. April 12, Smokey Bear Ranger District Office, 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso.
- Northeast: 10 a.m. April 14, Rio Arriba County Building, 1122 Industrial Park Road, Espanola.
- Southwest: 10 a.m. April 19, Bureau of Land Management office, 901 S. Highway 85, Socorro.
- Northwest: 1 p.m. April 16, Trades and Technologies Building, San Juan Junior College, 4601 College Blvd., Farmington.
The program has grown to an annual budget of $1.2 million with the support of hunters and anglers, who must purchase a $5 Habitat Stamp each year to participate in their sports on federal lands.
In the 21-year life of the program, 1,798 wildlife habitat projects have been funded at a level of over $24.2 million, with the Habitat Stamp Program contributing $12.4 million and federal agencies $10.7 million in matching funds. Since 1999, other organizations have contributed $1.1 million in time and cash to the program.
The New Mexico Habitat Stamp Program improved more than 538,000 acres of habitat on public lands. Additionally, the program enhanced 10,400 acres of riparian habitat, built 637 places for wildlife to drink water, surveyed 679 wildlife populations and habitats, transplanted wildlife 15 times, improved 72 fishing areas, maintained 6,050 previously built structures, and much more.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Citizens representing sporting, environmental, and public land permittee interests meet each April to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Dale Hall, (505) 222-4725 or check the Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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