Legislation Introduced to Protect One of the Most Ecologically and Culturally Significant Landscapes in the Southwest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2026

Santa Fe, NEW MEXICO - In a move supported by local Tribes, nature protection organizations, local elected officials and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez today introduced legislation to protect one of the most ecologically rich and culturally significant landscapes in the Southwest. The Caja del Rio Protection Act: S 4458 and HR 8616 covers about 107,000 acres of a wildlife corridor that runs along the Upper Rio Grande from New Mexico to Colorado and plays a critical role in maintaining wildlife mobility and vital habitats for many endangered and sensitive species of mammals, reptiles and birds.

Statement by Charlotte Overby, Santa-Fe based Vice President of Field Programs for the Conservation Lands Foundation who is part of the coalition that has been advocating for the protection of the Caja del Rio Plateau:

"The Caja del Rio is important to all people for its natural beauty, culture, economic benefits and contributions to New Mexicans' way of life. To lose it to potential sell-off to private developers would be a travesty, and the New Mexico Congressional delegation recognizes we all have a responsibility to protect it for current uses and for future generations to love and steward.  We thank the Pueblo Governors, Senator Heinrich and Representative Leger Fernandez for their leadership in seeing through the development of the Caja del Rio Protect Act and getting it introduced in both houses of Congress."

“We invite everyone to take a virtual field trip through the Caja and then add their name in support of protecting it at https://cajadelrio.org/” said Overby.

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About Conservation Lands Foundation

Conservation Lands Foundation leads the only national movement of grassroots advocates to protect, restore and expand National Conservation Lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. CLF is headquartered in Durango, Colorado with field offices throughout the West and in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit conservationlands.org.