New Mexico Sustainable Forestry Business Plan
OnTrackNorthAmerica led the development of the New Mexico Sustainable Forestry Business Plan with input from diverse stakeholders in the aftermath of the 2022 Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak 350,000-acre forest fire. Together, we created a comprehensive strategy for Colfax, Mora, San Miguel, and Taos Counties to scale up sustainable harvesting, transportation, and processing, thereby supporting the well-being of forests, local logging and wood products businesses, and the communities they serve.
This comprehensive approach was conceived to transform forests — whether currently healthy, overly dense, or recently burned — into economic opportunities, thereby enhancing both the forest’s and the community’s vitality. Our work brought together more than 300 landowners, government staff, industry representatives, and community stakeholders to co-develop a business-savvy approach to local economic development and sustainable forestry in the forested counties of northern New Mexico.
Our Five-Step Approach:
- Knowledge Foundation: Compile existing research into accessible tools for stakeholders to make informed decisions.
- Community-Driven Planning: Facilitate collaboration among public-sector leaders, landowners, and industry professionals to develop optimal forest treatment approaches.
- Resource Assessment: Conduct a complete analysis of the forest wood supply to accurately determine available materials and guide investment decisions.
- Industry Growth Strategy: Evaluate and enhance the capacity of local forest products companies to process biomass and identify the specific opportunities to integrate services from outside the region.
- Implementation Blueprint: Create a practical business plan with detailed components for operations, logistics, funding, and governance.
Initially focused on four northern New Mexico counties, this model establishes a framework for scaling up statewide and ultimately continental. To engage further with this effort, check out RE-FOREST, Rail-Enabled Sustainable Forestry and Wood Products.
