Researchers are training trees for a hotter, drier future

Plus: Packing a go bag, 5-year Forest Action Plan highlights, Smokey Bear Days in Capitan, and more

NMFD Newsletter | March 6, 2026

News from New Mexico's Forests

Right tree, right place, right time.

In the long process of recovering from a catastrophic wildfire, reforestation is a critical step to restore burned landscapes. We're celebrating Earth Month by presenting a deep dive into the science of getting the right tree to the right place at the right time.

This month, we also peer into the art of packing a go bag to stay prepared in the event of an evacuation. For those who fancy a weekend trip to the Sierra Blancas, we've got a sneak peek of Smokey Bear Days May 1-2. We're also dropping links to the Division's Forest Action Plan 5-year review which highlights cross-boundary accomplishments over the last half-decade.

And don't forget — if you're enjoying this newsletter, pass it on to a friend!

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From the Field

What does a chile roaster have to do with reforestation? In this month's From the Field, we travel from seed banks to burned areas to hear from researchers at New Mexico's universities about their innovative and creative approaches to reforesting the 7 million acres in New Mexico that have burned since 2000.

Burned areas need more than scores of seedlings: They need a new generation of trees that are better prepared for conditions to come. From gathering cones from fire-resistant trees to pushing seedlings to withstand extreme drought, scientists are innovating every step of the way.

Their work will coalesce in late April with the groundbreaking launch of the New Mexico Reforestation Center, the new regional hub that will ramp up production to 5 million climate-adapted seedlings annually , representing a new horizon for the future of forests from Mora to Ruidoso and across the Southwest.

Read the story

Hot Tip: Pack your go bag

No one wants to have to evacuate .

But the state has already seen wildfires force evacuations this year — and it's not even May.

The good news: Packing up your go bag is pretty simple , and it takes just a weekend afternoon to gather what you need.

Start with the bag itself: Find a duffel or other large-ish-sized bag that you can keep in a closet or somewhere it's readily accessible.

Next, pack anything you might need for three nights at an evacuation shelter (or family member's home). Think : clothes, prescriptions and toiletries. Make copies of important papers like deeds or medical documents. You can also make a list of irreplaceable items that you'll want to grab like jewelry, heirlooms or sentimental things. The list will help you to grab what you need in an emergency — with everything else already ready to go!

Kick-start your checklist:

A three-day supply of non-perishable food and 3 gallons of water per person

A map with at least two evacuation routes

Necessary prescriptions or medications

A change of clothes and extra eyeglasses/contact lenses

Extra car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks

A first aid kit and sanitation supplies

A flashlight and battery-powered radio with extra batteries

Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)

Pet food and water

Consider adding:

Valuables that are easy to carry

Family photos and irreplaceable items

Personal computer data on hard drives and disks

Chargers for cell phones and laptops

No matter what you pack or how you pack it, take the time to think about what you might need and what you couldn't stand to lose in the event of a wildfire evacuation. A little bit of family preparation will go a long way.

Pack your go bag

In the Community

2020 New Mexico Forest Action Plan: 5-Year Review

Five years ago, the Division released a 10-year plan to guide forest and watershed stewardship across the state.

Halfway in, this 5-year review showcases key accomplishments made while supporting three national priorities:

Conserving and managing working forests

Protecting forests from threats

Enhancing public benefits from trees and forests

Read the Highlights Report and dive deeper into the 2020 Forest Action Plan .

???? Las Vegas

At the Fire Circle Fair on March 21, over 100 participants joined for conversations on home hardening, groundwater contamination, power line safety, the value of volunteer fire departments, and regrowth in the Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon Fire burned area.

Curious about post-fire restoration? We have tons of resources for you .

???? Pueblo of Jemez

Happy little trees.

Division staff got to visit with the Pueblo of Jemez Forestry crew to check in on a post-fire response project. The goal: reforesting lands that burned in the 2011 Las Conchas Fire.

Last fall, the crew planted 2,000 ponderosa and Douglas fir seedlings within burned area.

Happily, 90% of the seedlings survived the winter, thanks to microsite selection and browsing cones that protect the young seedlings from hungry critters.

???? Truth or Consequences

Urban planting is branching southward.

It's not just forests that need a little help: Urban areas need new green, too .

Partnering with Tree New Mexico , Division staff assisted in a neighborhood planting session that plugged 60 trees into southern soil and provided leadership training to the next generation of urban foresters.

???? Albuquerque

Prevention on the pitch!

New Mexcio United kicked off their 2026 season with a (winning) home game against San Antonio FC.

The Division was proud to partner with the team to distribute fire prevention materials, much-needed sunglasses, and help remind folks they can do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires .

And yes, Lisa Simpson was on the assist.

???? Capitan

????️ Smokey Bear Days 2026 | May 1-2 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

118 Smokey Bear Blvd., Capitan, NM 88316

Celebrate everyone's favorite fire prevention mascot and the 50th anniversary of Smokey Bear Historical Park. This annual event promises fun events and learning opportunities for the…