SM 29 — IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

SENATE MEMORIAL 29 56TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEWMEXICO - FIRST SESSION 2023 INTRODUCED BY Mimi Stewart 6 8 10 A MEMORIAL RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS TO THE STATE.

134 WHEREAS, New Mexico is well known for its beautiful and abundant resources, which provide ecological, cultural and economic benefits and make New Mexico the land of enchantment;

and e t 17 WHEREAS, New Mexico's forests cover almost one-third of w l n d 18 the state, or twenty-four million seven hundred thousand acres, = = 19 a l with forty-two percent being privately owned, including tribal i a e r 20 lands;

and a t m m 21 WHEREAS, forests provide essential ecological services, d r e 22 such as providing a habitat for wildlife, oxygen, clean water, c e s k 23 the uptake of carbon dioxide and cooling temperatures.

As one e a n b 24 student said, "Forests are not just trees, they are life.".

As u [ another student said, "If forests disappear, many species won't .224520.1 have a home.";

and WHEREAS, the loss of forests takes away the culture, way of life and income for many New Mexicans — from grazing, collecting firewood, harvesting medicinal herbs and wood for SM 29 Page 1 latillas, hunting and other activities;

As one student said, e t 17 "The forest is a peaceful place where I go to clear my mind.".

w l n d 18 As another student said, "Forests provide sanctuary.";

and = = 19 a l WHEREAS, forests are under threat from drought, i a e r 20 catastrophic wildfires, rising temperatures, trash, a t m m 21 overcrowding of trees and bark beetles.

As one student said, d r e 22 "Everything in the forest is connected.

If one thing dies, c e s k 23 others die, too.";

and e a n b 24 WHEREAS, people can help prevent catastrophic wildfires by u [ putting out campfires, not throwing cigarette butts out of car .224520.1 - 2 - windows and educating others about how to keep the forest safe;

and WHEREAS, many New Mexicans are unaware of the importance SM 29 Page 2 of forests and the threats to them;

and e t 17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to w l n d 18 declare a forest appreciation day;

and = = 19 a l BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state agencies involved in i a e r 20 protecting forests be commended for those agencies' efforts and a t m m 21 be encouraged to continue to work with private landowners, d r e 22 tribal entities and other voices to protect the forests;

and c e s k 23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state agencies involved in e a n b 24 protecting forests be encouraged to continue to invest in u [ education and outreach, using social media, student work and .224520.1 - 3 - other out-of-the-box ideas to raise awareness about forests and to continue to provide funding for student experiences, such as field trips to forests and other outdoor learning opportunities;

and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all New Mexicans be encouraged to help protect the state's forests by being good stewards of the land and leaving no trace while out in the SM 29 Page 3 forests by removing trash and fully extinguishing campfires;

-SM 429 -Page e4 t25 17 w l n d 18 = = 19 a l i a e r 20 a t m m 21 d r e 22 c e s k 23 e a n b 24 u [ .224520.1