The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the State of New Mexico have signed a 20-year shared stewardship agreement aimed at increasing timber production, expanding wood utilization and reducing wildfire risk across the state.
Building on a 2019 partnership, the agreement coordinates federal and state resources to accelerate forest restoration, increase fuel treatments and protect watersheds that supply critical water resources. USFS Chief Tom Schultz said the partnership will help restore millions of acres while supporting recreation, jobs and wood products. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said the agreement will put more crews in the field to thin overgrown forests and reduce fuel loads before future fire seasons.
