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Apr 16, 2025

[PRESS RELEASE] New Mexico State Parks celebrate 55 years of Earth Day

Michelle Lujan Grisham Governor

Melanie A. Kenderdine , Cabinet Secretary

Ben Shelton, Deputy Cabinet Secretary

Toby Velásquez, State Parks Division Director

Contact:

Wendy Mason

Marketing & Public Relations Manager

NM State Parks Division

wendy.mason@emnrd.nm.gov

505-819-1785

Sidney Hill

Public Information Officer, EMNRD

sidney.hill@emnrd.nm.gov

505-629-2900

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 16, 2025

New Mexico State Parks celebrate 55 years of Earth Day

Events across the state highlight theme of building a sustainable future

SANTA FE, NM – Multiple New Mexico State Parks are hosting Earth Day-related events during April, and everyone is invited.

April 22 is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which is now recognized throughout the month. This year’s theme, "Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights the importance of renewable energy and continuing to work hard toward a sustainable future.

“Working toward a sustainable future is a priority for the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham administration,” said EMNRD Sec. Melanie Kenderdine . “That is why our state parks are enthusiastically supporting events that highlight this year’s Earth Day theme.”

Scheduled State Parks events include a clean-up of the watershed around Pecos Canyon State Park on April 26. Volunteers are invited to participate. In addition to trash and weed removal events, state parks will host educational sessions on the relationship between wildlife and habitat conservation and sustainability.

The State Parks Event Calendar contains a list of events around the state.

“The State Parks Division has taken many steps toward eco-friendliness in recent years,” said Division Director Toby Velásquez .

Those steps include installing solar power in multiple parks, upgrading plumbing and water treatment systems, and improving roadways and park entrances to prevent erosion and enhance visitor safety.

“We now are working to add electric vehicles (EV) to the State Parks fleet with plans to install more EV charging stations at parks statewide,” Velásquez said. “In short, we have already adopted the theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet.”

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New Mexico State Parks is a division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department . Our mission is to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources, provide first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and promote public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of visitors.

Best regards,

Wendy Mason

Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Records Custodian | NM State Parks Division

Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department

1220 S. St Francis Dr. | Santa Fe, NM 87505

Email: wendy.mason@emnrd.nm.gov | Web: emnrd.nm.gov/spd

PH 505.819.1785 (c) | Toll Free 1.888.667.2757

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