Informing Conservation through Science

The Nature Conservancy's New Mexico Conservation Science Program works with public & private agencies and institutions on ecological management, conservation planning, and scientific assessments to further its mission to “preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.”

Ecoregional Assessments

We have identified lands & waters critical to the conservation of biodiversity across western North America. These assessments help prioritize conservation efforts and evaluate activities that affect conservation values. Learn more

New Mexico Climate Change

We are assessing the ground impacts of climate change on New Mexico's biodiversity and identifying local level adaptation strartegies that can help build ecological resilience to ongoing climate change. Learn more

Southwest Forest Assessment

We have developed information on the status of National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico and tools to evaluate restoration strategies. Learn more

Rangeland Ecological Assessment

The Rangeland Ecological Assessment assesses and maps ecological condition and restoration opportunity in New Mexico to support science-based restoration in a regional and landscape context. Learn more

Jemez Mountains

In the United States and many other parts of the world, fires are behaving differently now than they have throughout history, largely as a result of human actions. An estimated 80% of U.S. forests and rangelands have altered fire dynamics. The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico is working with federal partners to restore ponderosa pine forests and fire dynamics in the Jemez Mountains.

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New Mexico Statewide Natural Resources Assessment

The New Mexico Statewide Assessment, Strategy and Response Plans identify natural resource conditions, needs and opportunities across all land ownerships in the state. Learn more

Southwest Climate Change Initiative

The Earth’s climate is being disrupted irrevocably by the accelerated release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In fact, climate change is already well underway in the southwestern U.S.— more so than anywhere else in North America, outside the northernmost latitudes—and it is already affecting native plants, animals and habitats in ways we can see and measure. The challenge to the conservation community is to manage our forests, grasslands, deserts and rivers to build resilience and to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change on people and nature. Now is the time to prepare for more change. Any action we take now to understand the local effects of climate change and to build ecosystem resilience will help protect our natural areas and the clean water, clean air, and wildlife habitat they provide. The Nature Conservancy has joined with the Climate Assessment for the Southwest (University of Arizona), National Center for Atmospheric Research, Western Water Assessment (University of Colorado) and Wildlife Conservation Society to form the Southwest Climate Change Initiative (SWCCI). Our aim is to provide information and tools to build the resilience of natural areas in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

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Get to know us

Robert Martin

Robert grew up in eastern New Mexico as a third generation farmer and rancher.  After working as an engineer for a large oil company in west Texas, Robert returned to manage the family farming operation in Curry, Roosevelt, and Parmer… read more

Downloads

We have reorganized our reports and data sets to make it easier to find the information you need. Browse our downloads.

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Climate Change Adaptation for People and Nature

In the U.S. Southwest, global climate change, acting in concert with extant stressors such as urbanization and over-allocation of water resources, is changing ecosystems in measureable and sometimes dramatic ways. Twentyfirst century projections indicate accelerating climate change and cascading ecological consequences. Our experience suggests that adaptation efforts can be effective if they are focused at the local scale; employ learning networks; and engage in ecosystem-based adaptation: the sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems so that they continue to provide the services that allow people to thrive in changing environments.

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Collaborators

To conduct effective conservation science, we can't go at it alone. Download data and reports created with our collaborators:

How You Can Help

Please visit our nature.org website to see ways you can help The Nature Conservancy