Governor signs order to preserve 30 percent of public lands

Aug. 25—Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order Wednesday that calls for 30 percent of New Mexico's public lands to be preserved by 2030, putting the state in line with a larger federal conservation effort.

The order directs a half-dozen state agencies to coalesce behind the effort by establishing programs that conserve, protect and enhance public lands for a variety of uses.

"There is no future without maintaining our watersheds, our land, our forests, and doing that in a way that is responsible, and that will last for generations to come," Lujan Grisham said before signing the order at the Roundhouse.

A broad coalition applauded the order, including environmentalists, tribal leaders, local governments and outdoor recreation advocates.

The agencies will meet quarterly to assess the state's progress and submit a yearly report to the governor.

This effort aligns with President Joe Biden's "America the Beautiful" initiative that seeks to conserve and restore 30 percent of the country's lands by 2030.

This is a developing story and will be updated.