Local Links

Visit the third largest national forest in the lower 48. With more than 3 million acres to explore, there’s always something to do!

One of New Mexico’s 35 State Parks. Located about halfway between Silver City and Deming, the park offers campsites, hiking trails, excellent mountain biking, wildlife viewing, birding, stargazing, picnic areas, and a desert botanical garden. Western New Mexico University maintains an excellent working relationship with the Park, helping to promote conservation of the Park’s unique resources. A number of WNMU students have found practicum opportunities here.

The Gila Native Plant Society (GNPS) is committed to promoting education, research, and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest; encouraging the preservation of rare and endangered plant species; and supporting the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. Most of the GNPS Programs are free and open to the public.

The purpose of the Society is to exchange information & further members knowledge of mineralogy, gem cutting, and geology, and to stimulate interest in the development of these studies.

To inspire love for and protection of Southwestern New Mexico birds and their habitats.

For researchers, land managers, conservationists, students, educators, and citizen scientists to share information and ideas gathered from the Gila watershed and neighboring areas extending into southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and Mexico. Biennial Symposium on the Western New Mexico University campus. Visit website for published proceedings and more information.

The Gila Conservation Coalition (GCC) is a partnership of local environmental and conservation groups and concerned individuals that promote conservation of the Upper Gila River Basin and surrounding lands.

As an organization dedicated to promoting community health through protection of our environment and natural resources, GRIP is committed to achieving our mission in a just, equitable, fair and transparent manner. We strive to make our commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion evident in our board, staff, programs and coalition work. We pledge to continue to increase access to all underserved communities in our organization and work. We commit to continuous improvement in the implementation of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion principles in our organization and work in order to protect our environment, address the climate crisis, and create healthy communities for everyone.

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 318 million visitors every year.