National Wildlife Federation
05/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2026 10:31
Bill Would Protect 105,623 Acres of Caja del Rio Habitat, Culturally Significant Landscape
SANTA FE, N.M. - The Caja del Rio Protection Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), would designate the Caja del Rio as a Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Area and U.S. Forest Service Special Management Area to permanently protect the region.
"The Caja del Rio supports a resident population and migration pattern of deer and elk that have supported our ancestors and Tesuque Pueblo's inherent health and cultural ties to the natural environment. The landscape also serves as a migration corridor for these animals and others," said Governor Mark Mitchell, Pueblo of Tesuque. "Our ancestors harvested these animals to provide food, clothing and sustenance then and it continues to the present day. Without permanent protection of the Caja, we are in danger of disrupting the home of these animals and therefore the rhythm of the Pueblo."
"This landmark legislation recognizes the Caja del Rio as one of the most ecologically and historically significant landscapes in the entire country and ensures it is protected from the ongoing threats of degradation and privatization that face public lands vital to Indigenous communities and all Americans," said the Rev. Andrew Black, director of Tribal lands and waters for the National Wildlife Federation. "As a migration corridor with profound cultural history, ranging from thousands of ancient petroglyphs to the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Historic Trail, the importance of the Caja del Rio cannot be overstated."
The introduction of the Caja del Rio Protection Act comes as a result of decades worth of community collaboration and the support of local governments as well as Indigenous Pueblos, including the recently passed resolution by the All Pueblo Council of Governors. The legislation will require federal land managers to consult with the area's Pueblos and land grant communities, prohibit new road development, mining, and construction of new rights of way, while allowing for grazing, hunting, herb gathering and other traditional, religious and subsistence usage.
"The Caja del Rio supports a resident population and migration pattern of deer and elk that have supported our ancestors and Tesuque Pueblo's inherent health and cultural ties to the natural environment. The landscape also serves as a migration corridor for these animals and others," said Governor Mark Mitchell, Pueblo of Tesuque. "Our ancestors harvested these animals to provide food, clothing and sustenance then and it continues to the present day. Without permanent protection of the Caja, we are in danger of disrupting the home of these animals and therefore the rhythm of the Pueblo."
"This landmark legislation recognizes the Caja del Rio as one of the most ecologically and historically significant landscapes in the entire country and ensures it is protected from the ongoing threats of degradation and privatization that face public lands vital to Indigenous communities and all Americans," said the Rev. Andrew Black, director of Tribal lands and waters for the National Wildlife Federation. "As a migration corridor with profound cultural history, ranging from thousands of ancient petroglyphs to the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Historic Trail, the importance of the Caja del Rio cannot be overstated."
The introduction of the Caja del Rio Protection Act comes as a result of decades worth of community collaboration and the support of local governments as well as Indigenous Pueblos, including the recently passed resolution by the All Pueblo Council of Governors. The legislation will require federal land managers to consult with the area's Pueblos and land grant communities, prohibit new road development, mining, and construction of new rights of way, while allowing for grazing, hunting, herb gathering and other traditional, religious and subsistence usage.
National Wildlife Federation published this content on May 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 08, 2026 at 16:31 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]