For Upcoming Southern Outings, go to events page..

Beryllium Mine Update:

   New Mexico Mining and Minerals wisely refused to consider the new application for more bore holes near the Monticello Box to determine the extent of the Beryllium deposit there. They required that the company requesting the permit reclaim all the illegal bore holes first. The company requested an extension just before the deadline and was given a two-week reprieve to get the work done. Mining and Minerals is now satisfied with the work and reclamation.
   Now they will begin to consider the impact of the new application. To do this, other agencies like NM Game and Fish, the Office of the State Engineer, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be consulted. There is a federally listed endangered species, the Alamosa springsnail, found no where else on earth but in the warm springs directly across the main canyon from the Beryllium deposit and proposed mine. The hydrology is the purview of the State Engineer. These agencies will have an opportunity to weigh in on the plan and the applicant will have the chance to modify his application to address any concerns expressed by them. After that, the public is considered. There will be a comment period and a public meeting. But the time frame could extend into the beginning of 2009.    Thanks to everyone who has joined the list to help protect this wonderful place. Please note the outing scheduled for November to come experience this special place. If you haven’t already, while we wait please send your email address to Mary Katherine Ray (mkscrim@kitcarson.net). You’ll get periodic news about the progress of the application and when the time comes for public participation, we’ll be ready.   —Mary Katherine Ray

Gila Symposium in October:

   The Second Natural History of the Gila Symposium will take place on Thursday, October 16 (1:00-5:00 p.m.), and Friday, October 17 (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), at Western New Mexico University in the Global Resource Center. Keynote speaker is nationally renowned fire ecologist Tom Swetnam. Other presentations will focus on various natural history topics relevant to southwestern New Mexico.
   The public is welcome; for more information, contact William Norris (575/538- 6625, norrisw@wnmn.edu) or Donna Stevens (donnastevens@aznex.net).

This website needs a permanent webmaster. If you would like to volunteer, contact Glenn Landers.

Read the latest on the threat to the Lobo on the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction page.

Events page. (Updated 11/17/08)

Group Structure page. (Updated 9/26/08)

Campaigns & Issues page. (Updated 3/13/08)

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With the Black Range in the background and despite the threat of a blustery day in the Cuchillos, members of the Southern Group embarked upon an outing in early December. We got snowed on for a short time, but then the sun came out and it was a glorious outing. We saw a great-horned owl and learned how to make our mental maps fit the real one. (Photo by Mary Katherine Ray)

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