{"id":11802,"date":"2021-05-20T09:57:25","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T15:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/sfd\/?page_id=11802"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T19:08:00","slug":"reforestation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/sfd\/reforestation\/","title":{"rendered":"Reforestation"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”ce4db8ec-b34b-42ae-b247-103d0a13f28d” background_image=”https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/sfd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/IMG_1137.jpg” background_position=”bottom_center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”1d9c0f5d-35f2-480d-b415-624f9e38b5a0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#030303″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs font_icon=”5||divi||400″ use_home_icon=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#030303″ body_font_size=”18px” link_text_color=”#030303″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” module_class_1=”sidebar” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” inner_width=”90%” inner_max_width=”1400px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Explore Section” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#ffffff” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”14px” content_max_width=”100%” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=”blurb-icon-right sidebar-toggle” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”c520cd6f-2a5a-44ab-ba51-0c6b314ff487″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”13px” header_line_height=”1.3em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”rgba(40,39,40,0.7)” body_font_size=”12px” body_line_height=”1.3em” background_color=”#1D4784″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”145deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#1d4784 0%|#0585a5 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#1d4784″ background_color_gradient_end=”#0585a5″ max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||14px||false|false” custom_padding=”12px|4px|12px|16px|true|false” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#dedede” icon_font_size=”14px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_5″ module_class=”sofia-light nav-side” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#212121″ body_font_size=”15px” body_line_height=”1em” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Reforestation<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Reforestation is the natural or assisted regrowth of forest cover after it has been depleted by wildfire, flooding, insects, disease, or clear\u2011cutting.<\/p>\n

Natural reforestation often occurs after low\u2011 or moderate\u2011severity disturbances, when soils properties remain intact and surviving \u201cmother trees\u201d are present to supply the seed needed for the next generation. In some cases, land managers may employ competition\u2011reduction tactics to limit herbaceous or shrub growth that would otherwise suppress young tree seedlings.<\/p>\n

Since 2020, more than 7 million acres have burned across New Mexico, driven by overstocked forests and prolonged drought that contributes to high\u2011severity wildfire. Under these conditions, trees may not regenerate naturally, and sites can shift toward grass or shrub dominated habitat types.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Click Here for Reforestation Resources” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/sfd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/Max-Sean-Eva-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/sfd\/reforestation-resources\/” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Photo credit: New Mexico Reforestation Center<\/p>\n

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In these cases, land managers may employ strategies to assist in forest recovery, primarily re-introducing trees to a site through planting seedlings. This approach requires careful site selection, site preparation, and a skilled workforce to achieve successful tree establishment.<\/p>\n

After high\u2011severity wildfire, reforestation is critical for restoring watersheds and reducing post\u2011fire flooding, debris flows, and long\u2011term risks to water supplies. It also helps rebuild habitat for wildlife, support native plant communities, and sustain communities who depend on healthy forests and the ecological services they provide.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Click here to explore the New Mexico Wildfire Burn Severity Web Map” url=”https:\/\/nm-emnrd.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/instant\/basic\/index.html?appid=6a9037e77ffa47ec8a357bec7076ad0f” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/sfd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/WEB-MAP.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”https:\/\/nm-emnrd.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/instant\/basic\/index.html?appid=6a9037e77ffa47ec8a357bec7076ad0f” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

New Mexico Reforestation Workshop<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0U_emcTzVRI” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|-558px|1em||false|false” custom_padding=”|520px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Check out this video from our May, 2024 Workshop in Sapello<\/a>, in which forestry professionals discuss what to plant, how to plant and where to plant it. Other topics include how to work with contractors, how to prep planting sites, and how to order your own seedlings through the NM Forestry Division’s Conservation Seedling Program.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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New Mexico is a leader in reforestation<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>New Mexico is primed to lead reforestation efforts across the Southwest because of the ability to access leading reforestation experts, based in New Mexico, who are supported by interagency vision and planning. In the 2020 Forest Action Plan, reforestation is one of ten strategies listed to address the management needs of our priority forests and watersheds. The strategy aims to \u201ccreate conditions for planting the right tree in the right place for the 2100 climate and bring burned lands to a healthy function for people and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Our Partners<\/strong><\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”USDA Forest Service Reforestation” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”&||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”509e0411-abba-4420-83ff-703e73ca4eab” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.fs.fed.us\/forestmanagement\/vegetation-management\/reforestation\/index.shtml” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”NMSU John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora, NM” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”&||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”509e0411-abba-4420-83ff-703e73ca4eab” link_option_url=”https:\/\/morasc.nmsu.edu\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”New Mexico Highlands University” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”&||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”509e0411-abba-4420-83ff-703e73ca4eab” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.nmhu.edu\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”University of New Mexico” url_new_window=”on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”&||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”509e0411-abba-4420-83ff-703e73ca4eab” link_option_url=”https:\/\/define.unm.edu\/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=General_Search&utm_content=responsive_search_ads&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13040935596&gclid=CjwKCAjw8uTQBhAdEiwAVvtJyniRt6wKB0lwhsWTI6CEKcrc4q-WAPRFQvQZlK5pjGBtOKkaPMVOsRoCbzAQAvD_BwE” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

New Mexico Reforestation Center<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

The mission of the New Mexico Reforestation Center (NMRC) will be to meet current and future reforestation needs in New Mexico through its comprehensive seed bank, nursery, and planting operations combined with research, education, and outreach activities.<\/p>\n

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The New Mexico Reforestation Center (NMRC) is a collaboration between the EMNRD Forestry Division, New Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico State University, and the University of New Mexico. Together, these partners address New Mexico\u2019s reforestation challenges across the entire pipeline\u2014from seed collection to post\u2011planting monitoring.<\/p>\n

The NMRC currently grows trees at the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora, NM. The nursery sources genetically appropriate seed for New Mexico to ensure ecologically appropriate adaptation, genetic diversity, and resilience to pests, fire, and climate change. The research center nursery can produce 300,000 seedlings per year.<\/p>\n

In 2026, the NMRC broke ground on its first dedicated nursery facilities and expects to deliver one million seedlings for reforestation in the fall of 2028. In subsequent years, the Center will scale production to five million seedlings annually. Funding for construction comes from the New Mexico Legislature and the U.S. Forest Service.<\/p>\n

Beyond expanding seedling production, the NMRC addresses all stages of the reforestation pipeline. New Mexico Highlands University leads the NMRC seed collection program, which has banked over 1,500 pounds of seed since 2023. The University of New Mexico conducts cutting\u2011edge research to support planting\u2011site selection and planting strategies that significantly improve seedling survival and establishment.<\/p>\n

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The Reforestation Pipeline<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Reforestation in New Mexico and across the west will take more than growing and planting trees. Collecting and storing enough seed is the first part of the process, and we are behind! Cones used to be collected mostly to reforest lands after logging. People did not anticipate the mega fires we are now experiencing every year, and the millions of acres needing reforestation in the western United States.<\/p>\n

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Learn more detail about the reforestation pipeline by using the links below:<\/p>\n