With this grant, the state will use the funds to treat acres for hazardous fuels reduction, develop multi-resource forest management plans, mitigate invasive species, insect infestation and disease,…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 3 – Southwestern Region, awarded $1,282,241 to the New Mexico Energy Minerals & Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) on August 22, 2025, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664). The grant funds forest management and conservation activities on non-federal forest lands throughout New Mexico, with a performance period extending through December 31, 2029. Primary deliverables include hazardous fuels reduction treatments across designated acreage, development of multi-resource forest management plans, mitigation of invasive species, insect infestation, and forest disease, and implementation of active forest management activities supporting working forests. All work activities are prioritized according to New Mexico's State Forest Action Plan.

The Cooperative Forestry Assistance program supports forest resource management across approximately 500 million acres of non-federal forest lands nationwide. EMNRD, as the state forestry agency, serves as the primary implementing partner for consolidated programs addressing forest stewardship, forest health protection, and landscape-scale restoration. Grant awards under this program typically fund on-the-ground implementation activities, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships designed to advance forest health and reduce wildfire risk in rural communities.

With this grant, the state will use the funds to treat acres for hazardous fuels reduction, develop multi-resource forest management plans, mitigate invasive species, insect infestation and disease, and other active forest management activities that support working forest, as determined by the priorities outlines in the state forest action plan.