For Immediate Release
Santa Fe, NM

To better protect aquatic and riparian species in New Mexico, Defenders of Wildlife has been awarded a grant from the New Mexico’s Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program. The purpose of the grant is to gather data in order to identify infrastructure projects and roadways in the northern Jemez Mountains that could be upgraded or redesigned to more effectively maintain connectivity for imperiled aquatic species including the Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, Rio Grande leopard frog and boreal chorus frog. 

Statement from Michael Dax, New Mexico Representative: 

“It is critical to make infrastructure improvements in New Mexico to protect the passage of aquatic and riparian species. We are pleased to partner with New Mexico Game and Fish to study how wildlife in the Jemez Mountains like the Rio Grande sucker and Northern leopard frog are impacted by roads, bridges and dams but also drought and warming temperatures.” 

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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