The department of game and fish will evaluate prospective projects and conduct needs assessments

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 awarded $376,335.27 to the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This Formula Grant funds the Department's evaluation of prospective wildlife conservation projects and assessment of public access needs to private lands in New Mexico. The Department will develop and execute contracts with private landowners to improve access to their lands for sportspersons, thereby expanding recreational hunting and fishing opportunities while advancing wildlife conservation objectives.

The award supports activities consistent with the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which provides federal funding to state fish and wildlife agencies for projects that restore, conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats. The New Mexico Department of Game & Fish will conduct comprehensive needs assessments to identify high-impact projects and establish contractual agreements that benefit both landowners and the sporting public, demonstrating collaborative resource stewardship in alignment with the federal program's mission to promote responsible outdoor recreation and wildlife management.

The benefits of each project will be assessed and contracts will be developed with landowners to allow access. The contracts will improve access to private lands to benefit sportspersons in new mexico.