Mission

Gain a better understanding of the greater Cruces Basin in New Mexico with Wildlands Network, Amigos Bravos, Town of Toas officials, and staffers for Sen. Heinrich, Rep. Ben Ray Luján, and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández.

Located in New Mexico, just south of the Colorado border, the Cruces Basin spans ecosystems of spruce, fir, ponderosa pines, aspen groves, and high-elevation grassy meadows. The area provides habitat for elk, deer, mountain lion, black bear, coyote, beaver, and brown, brook, and rainbow trout.

We flew over beloved areas of the greater Cruces Basin region and saw Brazos Ridge Overlook and the Cruces Basin Wilderness, an 18,876-acre Wilderness area located within the Carson National Forest in New Mexico. From above, we explored the drainage basins of the Cruces, Beaver, and Diablo-Escondido creeks, three waterways that join and flow into the Rio de los Pinos, a tributary of the Rio Grande. The aerial perspective shows the connectedness of ecosystems in the Cruces Basin region and the immense value this largely undeveloped landscape provides to fish, wildlife, and human visitors alike.

Our partners at Trout Unlimited are working to preserve and restore the fish habitat, clean water, and wildlife habitat connectivity here. Raised awareness and sustained investment are critical to protecting the greater Cruces Basin’s wildlife, rivers, and public lands.

Click for photos from the flights, and geo-referenced flight photos, and aerial footage.