Update: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance took part in a press conference in Las Cruces in March 2012 to publicly announce the launch of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument campaign. Follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance has helped mobilize incredible community support for Wilderness protection in Doña Ana County in recent years. Local officials, hundreds of local businesses, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces and the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, together with thousands of Southern New Mexicans, rallied behind a Citizens’ Proposal to permanently protect special places like Broad Canyon and the Organ Mountains. Recognizing this enormous groundswell of support, Senators Bingaman and Udall introduced the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act in 2009 to protect over 400,000 acres of wild lands in Doña Ana County as Wilderness and National Conservation Areas. The bill passed committees in 2010, but in the gridlock of the final days of the 111th Congress it was not voted into law.

In May 2011, New Mexico Senators Bingaman and Udall reintroduced the Doña Ana county wilderness bill as the Organ Mountains – Doña Ana County Conservation and Protection Act. If passed, this Act would protect the most iconic landscapes in Doña Ana County and Southern New Mexico: the Organ Mountains, Potrillo Mountains, Aden Lava Flow, and Broad Canyon, among other landmarks.

These biologically and culturally rich landscapes define Southern New Mexico and must be preserved for future generations.

ABOUT THE ORGAN MOUNTAIN – DESERT PEAKS REGION

Organ Mountains: Our Organ Mountains define the Mesilla Valley. From picnickers to horsemen, family outings to day hikes, they offer great recreation, important wildlife habitat, critical watershed protection, and the natural backdrop to New Mexico’s second largest city: Las Cruces. The Organ Mountains encompass three wilderness study areas, each unique and worthy of permanent protection.

Sierra de Las Uvas Mountains: These volcanic mountains support outstanding high desert grasslands. The Uvas sustain thriving populations of quail, deer, javelina and other wildlife. In addition, three different Native American cultures left their marks in various sites throughout these scenic mountains. The Uvas have been managed as a wilderness study area since 1984.

Broad Canyon: A secluded gem, Broad Canyon shelters hidden water pools, flat topped mountains and ancient cultural sites. Only 45 minutes from Las Cruces, this area has some of the most beautiful views that stretch across Southern New Mexico and into Mexico, and is a vital watershed draining over 75 square miles of land.

Potrillo Mountains: Extinct volcanoes, black lava fields, and mile after mile of desert grassland combine to give the West Potrillo Mountains qualities found nowhere else in New Mexico. Just 45 minutes from El Paso and Las Cruces, the Potrillos could be New Mexico’s 4th largest wilderness.

Robledo Mountains: The Robledo Mountains house the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument. They have worldwide significance and bring wonderful recognition to the Mesilla Valley Region. The Robledo Mountains unit has been managed as a wilderness study area since 1984.

We need your help to save the historical, cultural and ecological gems in Dona Ana County. Please consider giving to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance to help us continue our work for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks campaign. Your generous contributions help us fund our Las Cruces staff members who are working on the ground every day to promote an Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.