Press Release: Mora County Unanimously Passes Wildlife Corridors Resolution, Joins 5 other Counties in New Mexico Fighting to Protect Habitat Connectivity

NEW MEXICO (October 23, 2019) – Mora County Commissioners today approved a resolution supporting the protection of wildlife corridors. The county joins 5 counties and 3 municipalities urging Congress to pass the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019, and encourages the Forest Service to adopt and establish special management areas that provide wildlife with habitat connectivity in forest plan revisions.

Development of roads, fences, and other human-created barriers can fragment wildlife habitats, making it increasingly difficult for species to migrate safely across landscapes as they search for food. With the forest planning period already underway, the resolution’s approval signals to the U.S. Forest Service that Mora County community members support habitat connectivity, as well as the preservation of land-based uses and access.

HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors) has been an ardent supporter of wildlife connectivity corridors, with Advisory Board Member and Chairman, Rock Ulibarri, speaking and answering questions at the Board of Commissioners Special Meeting in Mora County. Ulibarri shared with the commissioners the importance behind maintaining robust wildlife habitats, and safeguarding public lands for future generations to be able to continue to practice land-based traditions.

“We hope to have a voice with the forest planners to let them know that our traditional land-uses are important to Northern New Mexico counties and municipalities,” Ulibarri said. “The community must be taken into consideration,” said Ulibarri.

Mora County is the sixth county to join a growing list of local governments expressing support of the protection of wildlife corridors, displaying a strong sense of support from the communities in Northern New Mexico.

“As a proud community member of Northern New Mexico, a Norteño, it’s important to highlight the community connection we have to the land,” Ulibarri said. “We hope that our forest planners can see how important the preservation of wildlife habitat connectivity corridors is to the community, and that we depend on the protection of outdoor spaces for tradition, recreation, and sustenance,” said Ulibarri.

Colfax, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Taos Counties have all previously, and unanimously, passed resolutions, as well as The Town of Taos, the Village of Pecos, and the City of Española. Public comment is being accepted for Forest Plans and can be found at connectedcorridors.com

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