(Enos Garc+¡a Elementary; Parr Field, Taos - GÇÿBefore' photo)
All Photos courtesy NM State Forestry
(Enos Garc+¡a Elementary; Parr Field, Taos - GÇÿAfter' photo)
(Taos High School Root Pruning)
(San Juan Re-Leaf tree with Art)
(Re-Leaf Tree growing strong in Las Vegas, NM)Santa Fe, NM - The Forestry Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is excited to announce that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the New Mexico Bio Park Society (NMBPS) have raised $1,115.00 for the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program.
"The New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program funds tree planting projects in communities throughout the state, and promotes public education on the importance and care of community trees," said Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager Jennifer Dann.
The AZA's mid-year meeting was hosted by NMBPS in March. AZA provided an option for attendees to add an additional amount of money to their registration to off-set their carbon footprint from their travel. NMBPS was asked to suggest a local organization that could utilize the funds for a carbon off-set, and chose the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program.
Funded exclusively through private donations, the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program was established in 1990 by the New Mexico Legislature to provide a tree-planting grant program for public entities such as public schools, cities, towns, counties, soil and water conservation districts, rural fire districts and others. The USDA Forest Service estimates that each tree in New Mexico provides nearly $3,100 in environmental and other benefits in its lifetime, including carbon emission off-sets, energy savings, real estate value increases, and a host of human and community health improvements.
"We couldn't be more humbled by the generosity of AZA and The New Mexico Bio Park Society. One hundred percent of the donation from AZA members will be used for the purchase of trees, mulch, and irrigation supplies," Dann said.
Citizens of New Mexico can also contribute to this community tree planting program in several ways:
- Donating to New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf on your New Mexico State Tax Return Form;
- Volunteering at a tree planting event funded by the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program, or help coordinate a project for your community;
- Mailing a donation directly to the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program using the address below.
For more information or to contribute to the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Program contact: Jennifer Dann, Program Manager at the New Mexico State Forestry Division; 1220 South St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505. Telephone: (505) 345-2200; E-mail: jenniferL.dann@state.nm.us.