New Mexico, USA – An organized network of climate and environmental advocacy groups today applauded application submissions from the State of New Mexico and the…
It’s time to confront the heartbreaking truth: we are in a climate emergency. Our commitment to passing bold climate legislation has not wavered, but we will need your support and commitment to ensure that our elected leaders will take bold climate action to protect our communities, families, and economies and build a future in which our children and future generations can thrive.
Río Grande del Norte National Monument
In 2013, a Presidential proclamation designated the area a national monument, and part of the National Landscape Conservation System. Photo: Bob Wick
Featured Stories

Protect the Caja del Rio
March 15, 2023
New Mexico has the least amount of protected lands in the West, but we have a vast landscape filled with remarkable biodiversity and cultural significance. Just to the west of Santa Fe, perched between mountain ranges, bordered by cottonwood-laced waterways, and filled with the rich heritage and traditions of its native peoples, the Caja del Rio Plateau is a jewel in a state filled with natural treasures.
Look what we did together in 2022
December 30, 2022
Legislative Updates & Outcomes
The passage of SB 53, Storage of Certain Radioactive Waste, marked a significant step forward in New Mexico determining its own nuclear future.
CVNM’s 2023 Legislative Summary
March 31, 2023
2023 – A Tale of Two Legislatures
March 18, 2023
2023 – A Tale of Two Legislatures Conservation was a big winner, climate legislation largely failed SANTA FE – The 2023 legislative session ended…
Passing Pro-Conservation Legislation
Recent bills that successfully passed in latest the Legislative Session:
2023 – SB 9 Create Legacy Permanent Funds
SB 9 creates a Conservation Legacy Fund that gives legislators a historic opportunity to deliver for New Mexico communities, better protecting us from extreme weather conditions like wildfire, flooding and drought. It will also preserve our cultural heritage and outdoor traditions, leaving a legacy for our children to hunt, fish, farm, ranch, and enjoy the lands and waters the way our ancestors have for generations. Local entities – including acequias, tribes, and Soil & Water Conservation Districts – are primed to apply for projects they know work for them. If adequately funded, this investment will deliver resources to all 33 counties and tribal communities. Working on this legislation has been a lengthy and impressive bipartisan process, bringing a variety of different stakeholders together to develop this historic piece of legislation.
SB 9 passed through the Senate 33-7 and the House 54-11, awaiting the Governor’s signature.
2023 – HB 4 Voting Rights Protections
The Voting Rights Protections will make substantial changes to state election law. These include:
- Restoration of voting rights to citizens convicted of felonies
- Improvement of Native voter protections
- Upgrades to secure automatic voter registration
- Creation and enforcement of a permanent absentee list
- Marking Election Day as a school holiday
The Voting Rights Act will ensure that every New Mexican, regardless of background, geography, or demographics, will be able to participate in an efficient, secure, equitable and inclusive democratic process.
Hb 4 passed through the House 41-26 and the Senate 27-14, awaiting the Governor’s signature.
Check out our full Legislative Agenda
Cultivating Environmental Leadership
From community members to political candidates, we work with potential leaders in New Mexico to support our ecological health and social equity.
CVNM Honors Commitment with Luminaria Award
Our annual Luminaria award recognizes pro-conservation champions in the New Mexico legislature. Since 2007, CVNM has been honoring members of our legislatures with pro-conservation voting records.
See Past Recipients
Past Candidate Endorsements
In order to pass strong laws that protect New Mexico’s environment, we believe it is critical to engage in the electoral process.
Through our work with both CVNM Action Fund and CVNM Verde Voters Fund, we let voters know that—for New Mexico’s air, land, water and communities—who we elect matters.
Learn More
Shifting the Legislative Seats
Through our Conservation Voters New Mexico Action Fund (CVNM Action Fund), a nonpartisan coordinated political action committee, we work to elect pro-environment candidates and to defeat anti-environment candidates at the state level up to the amount allowed by New Mexico campaign finance laws.
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Help us to build a thriving, just and resilient New Mexico.
By donating to CVNM, you help mobilize voters, win elections, hold elected officials accountable and advance responsible public policies in our state.