Mission

Following President Trump's halt of the community-driven efforts to protect the Upper Pecos Watershed through a mineral withdrawal, we flew with public officials, water-managers, and advocates to view the area and learn about the ample benefits of its protection. We flew with Representative Anita Gonzalez, New Mexico Acequia Commission, San Miguel del Bado Land Grant, Upper Pecos Watershed Association, New Mexico Wild, and the Flower Hill Institute.

The Pecos River flows from the Pecos Wilderness in north-central New Mexico to Texas, meandering through granite canyons and alpine ecosystems. Our overflights examined the gorgeous Upper Pecos Watershed, which supports diverse flora, fauna, and recreational opportunities.

The proposed 20-year mineral withdrawal to protect 165,000 acres in the Upper Pecos Watershed is being halted by the current presidential administration, reversing a key environmental safeguard effort initiated in late 2024. The U.S. Forest Service, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently announced the cancellation of the mineral leasing withdrawal, citing the need to boost domestic production of critical minerals. As New Mexico leaders stated, this “decision to reverse the community-driven Pecos Watershed withdrawal is disturbing and insulting, especially after they canceled the only public meeting on the proposal. This is a rural community that overwhelmingly supports protecting the Pecos River. The Trump administration just blatantly disregarded that, and the value of the Pecos River with it.” - Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and Stansbury said.

Thankfully, our flight partners remain dedicated in their advocacy to see the Upper Pecos Watershed receive long-term protection for the area’s wondrous ecosystems and recreational resources from the threats of mining and oil and gas. New Mexico leaders continue to recognize the region’s immense ecosystem values, and in response to the mineral withdrawals reversal, the New Mexico congressional delegation has again re-introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act!

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