LWCF Funded Units in New Mexico

Federal Program
Aztec Ruins NM
Bandelier NM
Bluewater Canyon ACEC
Carson NF
Chaco Culture NHP
Cibola NF
El Malpais NCA
El Malpais NM
Fort Union NM
Gila NF
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks NM
La Cienega ACEC
Lincoln NF
Lower Gila Box ACEC
Organ Mountains ACEC
Orilla Verde Recreation Area/Taos
Overflow Wetlands HMP
Pecos NHP
Petroglyphs NM
Rio Chama WSR
Rio Grande WSR
Salinas Pueblo Missions NM
Sante Fe Watershed Protection
Sante Fe NF
Sevilleta NWR
Approximate Federal Total	$189,000,000
State Program
Approximate Total Stateside Grants	$40,000,000
Approximate Total Federal and State	$229,000,000

LWCF Success in New Mexico

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of New Mexico’s most treasured places. New Mexico has received approximately $229 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Petroglyph National Monument and the Cibola National Forest.

Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River/Taos Gorge

The canyonlands of the upper reaches of the Rio Grande comprise one of the most spectacular landscapes in New Mexico. Within New Mexico, the Rio Grande is not only an important natural and ecological resource, it is also critical to water supplies and the economy. About 1.3 million people, or nearly 70% of the state’s population, live in the ten counties along the river. The Rio Grande provides vital drinking water to these residents and irrigation water for agricultural purposes. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided funds to protect the wild and scenic river, consolidate holdings to prevent fragmentation, ensure recreational access, and prevent development from marring the canyon.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the New Mexico economy. The Outdoor Industry Association has found that active outdoor recreation contributes $3.8 billion annually to the state’s economy, supports 47,000 jobs across New Mexico, generates $184 million in annual state tax revenue and produces nearly $2.75 billion annually in retail sales and services across New Mexico (accounting for 4.6 percent of gross state product.) The U.S. Census reports that over 947,000 people hunt, fish or watch wildlife in New Mexico each year, spending over $823 million on wildlife-related recreation.

Download "The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Report for New Mexico"