About
The Southwest New Mexico Community Forestry Project aims to plant trees and provide technical support to community partners in southwest New Mexico to ensure that our trees are cared for like the valuable resources we know them to be.
We are working in Silver City, Santa Clara, Hurley, Bayard, Deming and Lordsburg over the next five years to grow each community’s tree canopy by providing planning, logistics, and planting assistance to improve the health of our community trees
Community Forestry Planning & Stewardship
Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP) and Integrated Biological Solutions (IBIS) are working within each community to provide planning and planting of 1,000 trees. We are compiling relevant data needed to create a road map on where stewardship is needed for existing trees and where to plant the shade for future generations. We serve as the technical support for each community to develop a unique plan that is just right for them.
Looking Towards a Shady Future
We have established a network to provide ongoing support to partner communities. The group provides guidance every step of the way to overcome the barriers to tree care that are specific to small, rural communities. Based on the needs that are identified by partner communities we are helping them with grant writing, planting logistics, shared educational materials, graphic resources, or whatever else is needed to steward community forests.
Certificate Program & Arboretum
Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is developing a certificate program aimed at providing green jobs training and continuing education for basic tree workers. This addresses workforce needs and economic development in the growing industry of tree care within New Mexico and beyond. Building upon its Tree Campus USA designation, WNMU is creating an arboretum and teaching garden to provide hands-on training for students and for community members wanting to care for the trees in their own yards.
Project Outcomes & Deliverables
- Baseline data and spatial layers relevant to each community
- Individual Community Forestry Plans for our six partner communities
- Community education and outreach associated with each forestry plan developed, and regarding the social, economic and environmental benefits of trees
- Prioritization of tree care and planting projects in each community
- Formation and ongoing facilitation of the SWNM Community Forestry Network
- Certificate Program at Western New Mexico University
- Planting of 1,000 trees across the six partner communities, plus additional tree seedling giveaways
- Municipal support and capacity building for implementation of their Community Forestry Plans
- Support with tree maintenance and stewardship in six partner communities
- Expansion of the Western New Mexico University Arboretum
Project Timeline
Our activities associated with these deliverables and outcomes is funded through December 2028. The timeline presented below is an estimate and specific activities may shift in response to community needs.
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