Welcome

In Arizona and New Mexico, 22.3 million acres comprise the Southwestern Region with 11 national forests and 3 national grasslands (1 grassland each in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma). The region ranges in elevation from 1,600 feet above sea level and an annual rain fall of 8 inches in Arizona's lower Sonoran Desert to 13,171-foot high Wheeler Peak and over 35 inches of precipitation a year in northern New Mexico.

Events

THE ALDO LEOPOLD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 2009
In New Mexico and Arizona, a year-long series of events is being planned in 2009 to celebrate Leopold’s legacy in the Southwest. The celebration will kick off in Albuquerque with a colloquium titled, “Aldo Leopold, the Southwest, and the Evolution of a Land Ethic for the Future: A Cultural Conversation” at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, February 13-14.

For more information about the event and more, visit the Leopold Centennial Web site at www.leopoldcelebration.org.

Regional Spotlight

FOREST PLAN REVISION
On March 30, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an injunction that ordered the Forest Service to discontinue use of the 2005 planning rule to amend or revise land management plans. more »

FILM PERMITS
National forests are a popular location for the commercial filming and still photography industries.  Many motion pictures, television series and commercials have been filmed on the national forests of Arizona and New Mexico. more »

NEW TRAVEL MANAGEMENT RULE
A new regulation governing off-highway vehicles and other motor vehicle use on national forests and grasslands has been announced that requires each national forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use. more »

RECREATION FACILITY Analysis
National forests and grasslands in the Southwestern Region and throughout the nation, are implementing the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) process for developed recreation sites. more »

BARK BEETLE INFORMATION
Have you noticed the recent mortality of pine trees throughout the Southwest? Most of the mortality is a result of the current drought and the resulting bark beetle outbreak. Get the latest information on the effects of large bark beetle outbreaks across Arizona and New Mexico.

National Initiatives

CLIMATE CHANGE, KIDS & FORESTS: WHAT'S THE CONNECTION?
"Since being named Chief in January, I have spent time in Washington and have traveled around the country and have talked to many different people concerned in one way or another about forests. I have been struck by their hopes and fears, and three themes in particular have stood out. I will discuss these themes one by one and show how they are connected." more »

CULTURAL HERITAGE ON NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS
Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop joined National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe to announce the Trust’s findings from a recent review of the Forest Service Heritage Program at a news conference May 15, 2008, in Denver, Colorado.  The Trust also published its findings in a report titled "The National Forest System:  Cultural Resources at Risk – An Assessment and Needs Analysis." more »

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Healthy forest ecosystems are ecological life-support systems. Forests provide a full suite of goods and services that are vital to human health and livelihood – natural assets we call ecosystem services. more »

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
The Forest Service Performance and Accountability Report - Fiscal Year 2005 is now available. As required by law, this document integrates the Forest Service's annual performance report with its annual consolidated financial statements.
more  »

Southwestern Region
333 Broadway SE [map]
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 842-3292
TTY: (505) 842-3198