Expand outdoor access and conserve our land so that every New Mexican can reach a trail, river, or open space within 30 minutes, while keeping these places permanently protected for future generations.

Protect water for families and farmers so that wells don’t run dry, farms can keep producing, and every community has a safe and reliable supply.

Promote water quality and alleviate pressure on our freshwater reserves through alternative water sources, such as brackish water, produced water and reuse water, and desalination.

Keep homes and neighborhoods safe from wildfires by reducing risk before disaster strikes and helping families fire-proof their properties.

Protect wildlife and the outdoor economy by building crossings and conserving migration corridors, which makes roads more safe, hunting and fishing more robust, and small-town businesses more secure.

Protect environmental justice and public safety through tough law enforcement.

Open blocked land. Public access to public land is a fundamental right. Yet, large portions of state and federal land are blocked off or hard to reach because they are “landlocked” by surrounding private property, or even a lack of roads and signage. The Sabinoso Wilderness near Las Vegas was once public but inaccessible; once access was secured, however, the 30,000-acre area now draws hikers and hunters and supports local businesses. I’ll work hand-inhand with landowners, Tribes, and local communities to scale programs like this statewide, including by:

Using voluntary easements, right-of-way agreements, and small payments or tax credits for landowners who agree to public passage.

Respecting cultural and seasonal needs in sensitive areas by establishing shared-use agreements with Tribes and local communities to set clear rules such as limiting access during ceremonies, closing trails during wildlife breeding seasons, or capping visitor numbers.

Supporting community-led pilots in rural towns and Tribal communities whereby local governments or Pueblos design their own access rules and land protection strategies. This will ensure cultural sites are safeguarded and local values guide conservation, while still opening land for recreation.

Building safe and clear entry points, quickly, with a Rapid Access Fund for low-cost improvements like trailheads, gates, signage, and safe parking – so that small barriers don’t stop people from enjoying their land. At the same time, we’ll fund trailhead upgrades, restrooms at high-use sites, and road repairs that reduce emergency rescues.

Conserve and steward high-value lands. Access doesn’t mean much in the long run if land is later sold off, fenced, or degraded. conserving our land benefits New Mexico in countless ways, generating funding for trails, visitor centers, watershed restoration, and wildlife crossings – investments that strengthen local economies. For example, we recently secured millions of dollars for a wildlife crossing near Santa Ana Pueblo and for restoration in the San Juan watershed. I’ll secure permanent conservation protections for high-value lands so that access remains open for generations, while also restoring and stewarding the land itself. I’ll:

Focus conservation on high-priority lands. I’ll prioritize protections for the places that matter most — wildlife migration routes and habitats that keep biodiversity strong, culturally significant Tribal sites, and open spaces near communities that provide recreation and resilience against climate change. These protections will ensure lands are safe for people and wildlife alike.

Invest in stewardship. Stewardship is just as important as conservation. If we don’t take care of the lands we already have, they can be overrun by invasive species, degraded by erosion, or left unusable for future generations. I’ll invest in partnerships with Tribes, ranchers, acequias, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts to restore rivers, repair arroyos, and protect watersheds. We’ll also expand climate-smart infrastructure and support Tribal and community-led stewardship models that blend traditional knowledge with modern science.

Grow conservation-centric jobs for New Mexicans. I’ll expand New Mexico’s Conservation Corps model to deliver these projects while creating jobs in trail building, habitat restoration, water access, and cultural site protection – targeting hiring in rural, Tribal, and veteran communities.

Improve access for families and kids, starting with a fourthgrade park pass and outdoor programs like campaign and fishing. I’ll provide every New Mexico fourth grader and their family with a free annual pass to state parks to instill a love of the outdoors from an early age. I’ll partner with schools to offer field lessons in outdoor skills, ecology, and New Mexico history, while partnering with the Conservation Corps, veterans groups, and outfitters to provide free or low-cost camping and fishing clinics for kids and families new to the outdoors so they can participate with confidence.

Bring in federal dollars for access and conservation. Billions in federal conservation funding are available, but small towns and rural communities often lack the technical staff to compete. I’ll make sure New Mexico captures our fair share — and that local governments, acequias, and Tribes get the support they need to tap into these resources for trails, visitor facilities, watershed restoration, and wildlife crossings.