Press Release

Bill introduced by New Mexico senators could designate Cerro De La Olla Wilderness within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument

January 28, 2020 By Jennifer Dickson
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Cerro de la Olla

Cerro de la Olla, NM

Photo courtesy of Stuart Wilde

Wilderness Society response to legislation that would establish Cerro de la Olla Wilderness

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to establish Cerro de la Olla Wilderness within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument in northern New Mexico.

For hundreds of years, people of the Taos area have hunted, gathered herbs, and collected firewood on the flanks of Cerro de la Olla. This proposed wilderness area would preserve traditional uses and provide sanctuary to a wide range of wildlife species, while maintaining current access routes.

The following statement is from Michael Casaus, New Mexico State Director:

“The lands in northern New Mexico -- from dramatic scenic vistas to opportunities for solitude -- are some of our state’s most unspoiled wild places and Congress should do all it can to keep them that way. Senators Heinrich and Udall were instrumental in the designation of Río Grande del Norte National Monument and now they are leading the charge of protecting Cerro de la Olla. The wildest of the lands within the monument serve as a critical sanctuary and corridor for wildlife migration and the US Senate has an opportunity to stand with New Mexico by joining Senators Heinrich and Udall to ensure that Cerro de la Olla gets the Wilderness protections it needs."

CONTACTS:

The Wilderness Society, founded in 1935, is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. With more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 109 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org