Conservation News

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) is releasing the draft 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico (SWAP) for public comment. The comprehensive, federally mandated 10-year review and revision of the SWAP began in May, 2023, and presentations were made at the State Game Commission meetings on Aug. 25, 2023, and Aug. 9, 2024.  The SWAP identifies Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), their habitats, threats to SGCN and their habitats and conservation actions that can be taken to mitigate these threats and benefit SGCN and their habitats. The revision process has included the following: 1) a comprehensive review and update of the SGCN list to reflect new information on species status and to add pollinating insects; 2) addition of more recent information regarding threats faced by SGCN, including climate change; 3) addition of updated best management practices regarding conservation actions to benefit SGCN, including an [...]

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting regarding proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird Rule. Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting in order to provide comments. March 31, 2025, Albuquerque, 6:30 p.m. Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM Register in advance to attend virtually The proposed changes to the rule, along with information about how to attend and participate in the virtual component of this meeting, will be available on the NMDGF web page. Comments on the proposed changes can be provided by mail: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Rule Development, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507; by email at DGF-Waterfowl@dgf.nm.gov; or in person at the meeting listed above. Media contact, Darren Vaughan: 505-476-8027, darren.vaughan@dgf.nm.gov

SEVILLETA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) has scheduled a public meeting with the Habitat Stamp Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). This meeting will be a working session in which the CAC will be briefed on the status of previously prioritized projects and provide initial feedback on some of the projects that are being collaboratively developed for future consideration. A CAC subcommittee will discuss project-development guidance for the Department and partner agencies. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend this hybrid public meeting. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, 1 pm. Attend in person at 40 Refuge Road, San Acacia, NM 87831 Register in advance to attend virtually Contact PublicLandUserStamp@dgf.nm.gov for in-person attendance directions A meeting agenda along with information about how to attend virtually will be available on the Department webpage, https://wildlife.dgf.nm.gov/conservation/public-land-user-stamp/. Comments can be provided by [...]

RUIDOSO – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish conservation officers have freed a cow elk with a metal stool hanging from her neck in Ruidoso. This is the latest incident in an ongoing saga of Ruidoso elk becoming tangled in lawn furniture. Residents are reminded to avoid feeding wildlife and to secure outdoor furniture to help protect local elk. Department officers responded to reports of the ornamented cow elk as soon as she was spotted. Tranquilizing or otherwise capturing a wild animal can cause significant stress or injury, so it may not always be the best first option for the animal’s safety. The stool on the elk’s neck was hanging loosely and did not appear to disrupt its eating, drinking, breathing or movement. Therefore, officers responded by giving the elk a chance to free herself from the loose-fitting stool before taking more drastic measures. After giving her sufficient [...]