Tree New Mexico

Description

GOALS:

• Build strong and effective partnerships with all levels of public and private organizations.
• Plant and care for trees in forests, along rivers and in urban and community areas on public lands.
• Restore riparian and upland forests to healthier conditions by addressing biodiversity issues, and water, mineral, and energy flows.
• Provide environmental tree-based education for citizens of all ages.
• Serve as an urban and community forestry advocate.
• Outreach to under-served communities.
• Build public awareness about the importance of trees in their communities and the nation.

Programs:

• River Rescue
• Building Neighborhood Tree Canopies
• Trainings, Classroom Education, and TreePath
• Tree Planting and Distribution Programs
• Native American and Community Tree Initiative Programs

Tree New Mexico raises the public's awareness about a myriad of tree issues throughout the state. TNM partners with all levels of public and private organizations as well as over 150 New Mexico and 22 Native American communities by providing tree planting and educational services. We offer citizens education, training services and volunteer opportunities year-round including:

• Tree planting: Trees are planted in numerous ways, such as: upland and riparian reforestation on Tribal and national lands, and restoration of burn-sites, and removal of fuel loads and invasives; conservation plantings in State Parks, along roadways, and other public landscapes, and establishing windbreaks; and in urban settings like parks, schools and medians, and in neighborhoods on right of ways and private property.
• Tree care and maintenance: TNM provides tree planting and care workshops. Our Citizen Tree Planting Training Manual is used as the basis for the trainings as it addresses all major topics of proper planting and after-care for successful planting experience and long term care. (Manual included with enclosures).
• Riparian and forest restoration: TNM established River Rescue in 2001 to help bring recognition to our river forests. The program addresses riparian health holistically, starting with forest and watershed health, taking us to the riparian ecosystem.

In the early '90's, TNM organized large-scale reforestation efforts, planting as many as 10,000 seedlings with 547 volunteers in a single weekend. With on-set of drought conditions, and the aftermath of catastrophic fires, much of the reforestation is now being done by contactors. TNM still supports Tribal reforestation and smaller efforts on national forest lands by offering seedlings and technical support when needed.

• Seed gathering and processing: TNM has contracted Santa Ana Nursery to gather and propagate harvested seeds from the Middle Rio Grande Bosque for our Native Plant Nursery. The seeds will be processed by members of the Pueblo and will be grown-out for one year Santa Ana before transplanted at our nursery. Seed gathering and processing will be extended other volunteers and youth groups in the years to come.

• Supervised classroom and training sessions: TNM provides classroom sessions throughout the year and focuses on the benefits and value of trees to students K-12.
  • We contract with national educator Tim Womick, an environmental performing artist educator who is an exciting addition to the variety of teaching methods we use to bring further interest and excitement about the importance of trees in our everyday lives.
  • George Duda, retired NM State Urban Forester, assists in our tree planting/ training workshops, "forest and fire" presentations, and other offering as needed.