Please join us on Wednesday, July 1st from 10:00 - 4:00 for a field tour highlighting how thinned areas recover or change over time, a recently burned area that intersected with a forest thinning treatment, and Protected Activity Centers (or areas that are designated wildlife habitat for species of interest). This field tour, led by the Forest Stewards Guild, US Forest Service, and allied Natural Resources professionals, will provide an opportunity to view and discuss current and upcoming projects within the greater Zuni Mountains landscape. Stops will include:
The 2025 Merrill Fire scar, which started on private land and spread onto National Forest System lands, abutting a 2021 forest thinning unit.
Three sequentially treated forest thinning project areas (thinned in 2021, 2024, and early 2026) along McGaffey Rd to see the differences, impacts, and forest recovery over time.
A Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) Protected Activity Center (PAC) where we will discuss ongoing research on MSO habitat use and geographic range and the potential to conduct fuel reduction activities for fire risk mitigation within PAC boundaries in the next several years.
The tour will begin and end at the shuttered gas station next to the U.S. Postal Service office in Ft. Wingate (286B NM-400, Fort Wingate, NM 87316). Carpooling is highly encouraged - reach out to Mateo Pomilia (mateo@forestguild.org) for assistance with transportation. Please bring appropriate footwear, clothing layers, rain gear, a sack lunch and snacks, and plenty of water. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.
Please register below if you plan to attend!
