Wanda Bowman, Owner of Ashley Furniture Homestore
Photo: ©Ken Stinnett

When my family moved to Las Cruces in 1970, we were overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounded us. Today, our happiest family memories are of hiking, bird watching, and picnicking in the wild areas of Doña Ana County—especially the Organ Mountains. I am still awestruck as the color of the mountains change with the light and seasons. New Mexico’s spectacular wilderness is what makes our community so special. By stepping up and working to protect these unique lands, we can ensure that these wilderness areas can be enjoyed for generations to come. Because wilderness is about more than just protecting New Mexico’s special places, it’s about creating possibilities for everyone.
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John Vasquez, President of Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces
Carolyn Kuhn, President and Board Chair of the High Tech Consortium of Southern New Mexico
Photo: ©Ken Stinnett

As business people, we are excited about the historic change we are experiencing in New Mexico. But we realize that now, more than ever, it is critically important to protect our culture and quality of life by enacting permanent wilderness protection for our spectacular, natural areas. The Organ Mountains and the vast open space that surrounds Las Cruces truly define what makes our community and New Mexico unique. These special places are what attracted a record number of visitors to New Mexico and pumped over $5 billion into our economy last year. Enacting a bold conservation vision for our community will not only protect our quality of life, it will provide a long-term boost for business, tourism and our overall economy. Protecting wilderness is about more than just protecting New Mexico’s special places, it’s about creating possibilities for everyone.
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Dr. Sanford "Sandy" Schemnitz, Professor Emeritus of New Mexico State University, with his dog, Ace and his grandson, Alden
Photo: ©Ken Stinnett

Since I was a boy, I have always enjoyed the wilderness and all the treasures that it holds. Some of my fondest memories of childhood are hunting with my father. Today, I enjoy teaching my grandson to hunt and to simply enjoy the solitude that comes along with being far from roads and traffic. The spectacular mountains and wide-open public lands that surround us provide a unique identity that has been a signature of New Mexico for generations. Whether it’s a family picnic at Dripping Springs, a day hike in Broad Canyon or hunting in the East Potrillo Mountains, New Mexico’s wild places hold something amazing for everyone. By stepping up and working to protect these lands, we can ensure that these wilderness areas are saved and can be enjoyed not only by my grandchildren, but by generations to come. Wilderness is about more than just protecting New Mexico’s special places, it’s about creating possibilities for everyone.
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Dolores Connor, Mayor Pro Tem of Las Cruces
Photo: ©Ken Stinnett

As a third generation New Mexican, I understand and treasure the connection between our land and our community. The spectacular mountains and wide-open public lands that surround us provide a unique identity that has been a signature of our community since before my grandmother came across the mountains in a covered wagon. Whether it’s a family picnic at Dripping Springs, a day hike in Broad Canyon or a horseback ride to look for wildlife, New Mexico’s special, wild places hold something amazing for everyone. By stepping up and working to protect these special lands, we can ensure that these wilderness areas can be enjoyed by future generations. Because wilderness is about more than just protecting New Mexico’s special places, it’s about creating possibilities for everyone.
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