By James Calabaza | TWP Indigenous Lands Program Director
April 2023 marked the one-year anniversary of New Mexico’s worst-ever wildfire season, and in the wake of the devastation, Pueblos of New Mexico are eager to launch this new field season of continued reforestation and mitigation efforts. Much of the conversation in this preparation stage surrounds the understanding that while these devastating fires have ended, the effects of climate change has made it all too certain that there are more fires to come. So more than ever, Pueblo leadership has been working to build capacity and ramp-up community-led action, with the goal to increase long-term solutions for landscape and forest resiliency.
We’ve been anxious to get back into the field and monitor the seedlings planted last fall. Monitoring is an important part of our project scope of work because it allows us to analyze and learn about the effectiveness of our post-fire treatment methods. Thankfully, the Jemez mountains of New Mexico has had a great winter with above average snow cover, leading to high hopes of greater seedling survival percentages in the region. In preparation for monitoring and field season, we’ve been busy strengthening our Indigenous Lands Program (ILP) team. We recently hired Michael Martinez, a Native-American New Mexican from the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe to manage our NM projects and oversee our relationships with partnering Pueblo communities. By having a local team member who has an acute understanding of both the environmental and social challenges, it allows us to expand our capacities and engage with more communities in the era of post-fire New Mexico.
While the road to recovery remains long and gruesome, we remain committed and optimistic about our collaborative efforts to restore degraded landscapes. This year, we’re implementing best forestry management practices to really restore the land holistically. From surface fuels removal to invasive species management to reforestation, our goal is to heal the land as one living ecosystem. Following the guidance of local Pueblo leaders and ecological researchers, our work will focus on balancing the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with western science.
But not only are we looking at restoration through the lens of the landscape, but also within the people and communities. Fires devastate all forms of life. But it’s also a medicinal prescription when it’s managed right. That is why Trees, Water & People is beyond thankful to engage and learn from our Pueblo partners. But we know the work is not possible without your support. So if you believe in social equity, environmental stewardship and fighting climate change, join us in our community-based efforts to protect the livelihoods of Indigenous peoples. Thank you!
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By James Calabaza | TWP Indigenous Lands Program Director
By James Calabaza | TWP Indigenous Lands Program Director
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