New Mexico’s forests are in an unhealthy state due to conditions of over density of fuels, including invasive species and noxious weeds. This unhealthy condition is exacerbated by drought, which results in the unwanted conditions of susceptibility to wildfire and insect infestation, compromised watersheds, and decreasing biodiversity. Other issues that result from these conditions are public safety, particularly in the wildland-urban interface, the challenges regarding the utilization of the biomass coming out of the forests.

These issues and concerns are common throughout the West and are instigating Forest and Watershed Health Planning and treatment, as directed by the National Fire Plan and the 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy. To learn more about these and other Forest Health Issues, please click on the appropriate links below.

Governor Richardson's Drought Task Force - NM Office of the State Engineer / NMSU
Office of State Engineer, State Water Plan
Office of State Engineer, Interstate Stream Commission
US Forest Service, Southwest Region, Forest Health: Bark Beetle Outbreak
Healthy Forests Initiative

Noxious weeds

• New Mexico Noxious Weed List, Southwest Exotic Plant Information Clearinghouse, US Geological Survey, Northern Arizona University, NPS
• Invasive Weeds: A Growing Pain, BLM
• BLM Weeds Website
• Weeds Gone Wild, NPS Plant Conservation Alliance
• Salt Cedar information from Washington State University
• Idaho's Noxious Weeds site gives descriptions, backgrounds and control techniques. Some of the same noxious weeds are found in NM.