ROSWELL — Ranchers, landowners, conservationists and government representatives gathered in Roswell to celebrate the restoration of 1 million acres of land since 2005.

The Bureau of Land Management's Restore New Mexico has focused on restoring landscapes that have been dominated by invasive species, like salt cedar and juniper.

The results show that native desert grasslands, cottonwood-willow habitat along streams and open woodlands are returning to the state.

New Mexico Director for the Bureau of Land Management Linda Rundell says people have restored the fabled landscapes of the West that give residents their spirit and sustenance.

Almost $30 million in federal, state and private funding has been raised to restore the 1 million acres.

In Northern New Mexico within the BLM's Taos Field Office district, fire crews have worked to thin and burn vegetation on more than 3,400 acres of land to restore open woodlands and reduce the threat of wildfires to nearby communities. Partners in the burning included the town of Taos, and Santa Clara and Taos pueblos. Wood thinning within the treated areas provided inexpensive firewood for local residents as well.

Partners also plowed up 29,000 acres of sage brush on the Taos Plateau and reseeded it with native grasses to restore prime wildlife wintering habitat.

Don Ellsworth, BLM's liaison in the Restore New Mexico partnership, said the goal has been to treat 100,000 acres of land around the state each year. Ultimately, BLM and partners hope to reduce invasive species and restore landscapes on 4 million more acres.




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