WildEarth Guardians

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Valles Caldera Wildlife Receives Boost in Collaborative Restoration Effort

WildEarth Guardians Works with Valles Caldera Trust to Remove Fence Hindering Movement of Deer and Elk
Contact: Bryan Bird (505) 988-9126 x1157

JEMEZ SPRINGS, N.M. - Scientists, conservationists, and volunteers will put on their work gloves September 26 and 27 to erase miles of barbed wire fencing that prohibits the natural movements of wildlife in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Collaboration between WildEarth Guardians and the Valles Caldera Trust is resulting in an innovative effort to rewild this majestic landscape on par with Yellowstone. Most of the 12-mile-wide volcanic caldera in northern New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains was the private “Baca Ranch” until 2000, when Congress created the Valles Caldera National Preserve - an 89,000-acre property situated within the crater. Studded with eruptive domes, the Preserve is one of New Mexico’s most special wild places and home to wildlife species found nowhere else in the world.

These efforts to restore wildlife habitat in the Valles Caldera stemmed from WildEarth Guardians’ $50,000 bid in April to graze just a few cows or bison on the National Preserve. The bid was focused on recovery and restoration of the Preserve’s critical riparian habitats in the face of climate uncertainty. Though the Board of Trustees did not award the bid to WildEarth Guardians, the resulting dialogue between the government and non-government organizations led to new, innovative restoration strategies.

Bryan Bird, a biologist with WildEarth Guardians, is encouraged by the promising public-private partnership. “The scientists at the National Preserve understand the unmatched resource we have here in northern New Mexico,” said Bird. “We are going to work together to bring back the natural grandeur of the Valles Caldera and realize its world-class potential as a biodiversity hot spot and destination.”

Known for its Stream Team projects - riparian restoration efforts across New Mexico and Arizona - WildEarth Guardians is utilizing its expertise, equipment and member volunteers toward the protection of the wildlife and wild places of the Valles Caldera. The first work weekend took place in August and the upcoming weekend event will be September 26-27. Staff of the National Preserve will work side-by-side with WildEarth Guardians volunteers to remove 14 miles of obsolete fencing.

Bird stated, “Its exciting to bring in volunteers from the local communities because all of us have a stake in the condition of this priceless resource and these events provide a sense of pride and ownership. By removing old fence lines, the Valles Caldera will more successfully support the wildlife that belong and thrive there.”

Dr. Robert Parmenter, Director of Science and Education for the Valles Caldera Trust is grateful for the conservation group’s efforts. “The Valles Caldera Trust greatly appreciates the volunteer efforts organized by the WildEarth Guardians for removing old livestock fences from the Preserve,” Parmenter said. “These antiquated fences, some dating to before World War I, are hazardous to wildlife, hikers and cross-country skiers, and need to be removed, while other fences currently in use need modification to ‘wildlife friendly’ status (raised bottom strands and smooth top wires) - tasks that require large amounts of people effort. Hence, WildEarth Guardians’ volunteer activities help restore the Preserve’s wild lands and save substantial tax dollars in the process.”

Shortly after WildEarth Guardians submitted its bid in April, the Valles Caldera Trust announced that 80 percent of the forage in the Preserve would now be reserved for wildlife and ecosystem protection. WildEarth Guardians commends the Trust on their efforts to protect the unique plant and wildlife species of the Valles Caldera from the adverse effects of domestic livestock and sees the fence removal project as another innovative collaboration bringing diverse interests together to protect the wilds of New Mexico.

WildEarth Guardians is celebrating 20 years of environmental protection and restoration in New Mexico this year. A 20th anniversary gala will be held the night before the Valles Caldera volunteer weekend, September 25th at Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe.

If you are interested in participating in the September 26-27 restoration weekend, please contact Rebecca Sobel, Grassroots Director of WildEarth Guardians at rsobel@wildearthguardians.org

The Valles Caldera Trust oversees the Valles Caldera National Preserve, formerly the privately owned “Baca Ranch.” The 89,000-acre property is located in the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico. The ranch was purchased by the federal government in 2000 under the Valles Caldera Preservation Act. The property is known for its huge meadows, abundant wildlife, meandering streams and remarkable scenery. The mission of the Trust is to create a successful model of public land management that protects and preserves the unique values of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Toward that end, the Trust will operate the Preserve as a working ranch; meet the varied needs of visitors; strive to use and steward the multiple resources of the Preserve; and work collaboratively with our neighbors. For more information on the Valles Caldera Trust go to www.vallescaldera.gov

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