Santa Fe, NM – New Mexicans have an opportunity to turn some of their state tax refund into trees for New Mexico communities through the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program.

Funded exclusively through private and corporate donations, the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program is an environmental education tree planting grant program. Since created by the New Mexico Legislature in 1990, more than $520,000 has been granted to plant over 18,000 trees on public lands throughout the state.

“The New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf projects undertaken by communities around the state would not have been possible without the valuable financial contributions from private citizens, corporations, non-profit organizations, and small businesses.” said New Mexico State Forester Tony Delfin.  “I encourage New Mexicans to support the Forest Re-Leaf Program by making a donation this tax season.”

What many taxpayers might not know is that when they fill out their New Mexico Tax Return documents, they have the opportunity to donate to the Re-Leaf Program. Toward the end of the document, there is a check-off box that will direct any amount you determine to the program. No donation is too small and every cent will be put toward planting trees around the state.

There are several ways that the citizens of New Mexico can contribute to this community tree planting program:

• Donate to New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf on your New Mexico State Tax Return Form;
• Volunteer at a tree planting event funded by the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program;
• Mail a donation directly to the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program using the address below.

For more information or to contribute to the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program contact: Kelly Washburn, Program Manager at the New Mexico State Forestry Division; PO Box 1948; Santa Fe, NM 87505.  Telephone: (505) 476-3332; E-mail: kelly.washburn@state.nm.us.

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March 7, 2012 - News Release

New Mexico Tree City USA Awards.pdf

New Mexico Communities Nationally Recognized For Stewardship Efforts

SANTA Fe - Several New Mexico communities have received national recognition for their outstanding community forestry programs through the National Arbor Day Foundations’ Tree City USA program, according to State Forester Tony Delfin. The Tree City USA program helps provide direction, technical support, and national recognition for community forestry programs across the country.

Trees continue to be an ever-important part of our culture and heritage,” said Delfin. We congratulate New Mexico’s Tree City USA participants for their dedication toward making their community forests and priority.”

Participating communities include:

In addition to receiving recognition as Tree City USA communities, Santa Fe and Roswell also received a Tree City USA ‘Growth Award’ for their exemplary efforts to plan and properly manage the trees within their communities.  The City of Roswell was named a ”Sterling Tree City USA,” a prestigious designation awarded to communities that have participated in the Growth Award program for ten years.      

The Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) was also recognized in 2011 for their continued participation in the Tree Line USA Program. The Tree Line USA program promotes the dual goals of safe, reliable electric service and abundant, healthy trees across utility service areas.

Urban and community forests provide numerous values to communities throughout New Mexico including improved aesthetics, quality of life for community residents and increased property values. They also provide numerous environmental benefits including reduction of heat intensity and building energy use; reduced soil erosion and storm water run-off; improved air quality; wildlife habitat and much more. The New Mexico State Forestry Division, Urban and Community Forestry Program is dedicated to empowering communities to develop and sustain their urban and community forests for the benefit of their citizens and the environment.

For further information about Tree City USA and Urban and Community Forestry in your community contact Kelly Washburn, NM State Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager at 505-476-3332 or email kelly.washburn@state.nm.us .

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March 5, 2012 - News Release

2012 New Mexico Arbor Month News Release.pdf

New Mexicans Encouraged to Celebrate Arbor Day & Arbor Month

SANTA FE, NM – Friday, March 9, 2012, is Arbor Day in New Mexico and the New Mexico State Forestry Division is encouraging all New Mexicans to celebrate by taking part in community observances, planting trees and enjoying the millions of acres of trees in the state’s municipalities, state parks, open spaces, national forests and other public lands.

In honor of the occasion, Governor Susana Martinez has signed a proclamation designating March 9, 2012, as Arbor Day in New Mexico and all of March as Arbor Month.

“Governor Martinez and I encourage everyone to recognize both Arbor Day and Arbor Month by enjoying the forested areas across the state in our mountains, bosque areas and in our urban areas as well,” said State Forester Tony Delfin. “Trees are vital to our quality of life in New Mexico it’s our responsibility to take care of our forests so that future generations can benefit from them as well.”

In 1891, the New Mexico Territorial Legislature established the observance of Arbor Day on the second Friday of each March. In 1992, recognizing that the state’s diverse climate does not provide for tree planting opportunities for all areas on only one date, the New Mexico State Legislature passed a house memorial designating all of March as Arbor Month. Celebrating Arbor Day and Arbor Month is an opportunity for all New Mexicans to learn about how trees benefit our lives and our communities.

Governor Martinez’s proclamation calls for New Mexicans to observe Arbor Day and Arbor Month by calling attention to the need for trees and their proper care. Schools are encouraged to plant trees on Arbor Day and teach students about their importance.

About the conference:

AridLID is an annual conference on green infrastructure and low impact development in arid regions–terms that describe the practice of using natural systems (plants, soils, water, etc.) to provide services like cleaning air and water, providing wildlife habitat, and calming traffic.  The event features dynamic presentations and engaging breakout sessions on topics like urban greening, sustainable storm- and rainwater management, urban planning, landscape architecture, and water policy.

The theme of AridLID 2012 is Integrated Approaches to Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development.  Green Infrastructure projects function best and are most cost-effective when they provide multiple benefits­—like a streetside bioretention basin that captures and cleans stormwater while it passively irrigates vegetation that shades the street and sidewalk, beautifies a neighborhood, and calms traffic. Likewise, effective green infrastructure practice often requires that people of various disciplines and perspectives work together—think landscape architects, engineers, and stormwater managers working together with a watershed group, a neighborhood association, and a University laboratory to achieve shared goals!  This conference will explore the potentials, best practices and pitfalls inherent in GI at various levels of integration in our region.

Who should attend:

Sessions will be targeted to stormwater, planning, and design professionals; researchers in water resources and urban sustainability; as well as activists and educators interested in implementing these features through grassroots, community-driven models.  Participation is especially encouraged from those working in GI/LID in arid regions of the southwestern U.S. (southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, west Texas) and northwest Mexico.

For more information or to register visit: http://www.aridlid.org

Plan now to attend the ISA conference in Portland, August 11-15, to learn about new research and trends in the industry, attend the International Tree Climbing Championship, and network with other arboriculture professionals.

For more information or to register visit:

http://www.isa-arbor.com/events/conference/index.aspx 

“Supporting community forestry efforts across the state has become one of State Forestry’s highest priorities,” said Tony Delfin. “By making programs like the Community Forestry Assistance Grants available, we hope to encourage the development of strong urban and community forestry programs throughout New Mexico.”

• City of Rio Rancho – Rio Rancho Tree Stewards: Urban Forest Enhancement Program/Staff Certification and training ($8,520)
• University of New Mexico – UNM Campus Tree Inventory and Master Plan/Community Workshops ($11,300)
• Rocky Mountain Youth Corps – Analysis of Town of Taos Community Forests ($16,500)
• Tierra y Montes SWCD – City of Las Vegas Forest Remediation and Arborist Training ($25,000)