New Mexico's forests provide 50% to 75% of the water used by municipalities and agriculture statewide, but with the number of forest fires, drought and lack of proper forest management, the region's forests are at risk.

Fortunately, work by researchers from New Mexico State University and other universities, combined with state and national efforts, will help fill gaps in the reforestation pipeline. More information about these efforts will be presented during NMSU's John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center field day from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 12. The center is located at 3021 Highway 518 in Mora, New Mexico.

The field day event is free and open to the public.

Last year, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a spending bill that earmarked $8.5 million to kickstart the development of the New Mexico Reforestation Center and $1.5 million for revegetation needs in the state. The center is under development. Also last year, a formal agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the center was established to address the growing reforestation needs in the region.

"Research in reforestation is critical to continued success," said Owen Burney, research director of the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center. "Science-based reforestation has the single greatest potential for climate change mitigation compared to all other land management activities. However, the backlog of reforestation needs across the United States continues to grow each year in direct response to disturbances such as those caused by fire, insects and disease."

The John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center is the only program in the four corner states that focuses research efforts along the reforestation pipeline, and is one of only five programs in the U.S. dedicated to researching the pipeline. Research topics include assisted migration and seed transfer guidelines in response to climate change, seedling-based aspen restoration, planting strategies that promote long-term improvements to water resources, and drought-conditioning seedlings during nursery products.

"The climate is changing faster than trees can migrate and adapt through both natural regeneration and conventional tree planting practices," Burney said. "It is fundamental that researchers understand how to build climate resiliency for future forests by examining genetic sources, nursery cultural practices, and planting methods that influence morphological and physiological traits that promote tolerance to drought, heat, insect and other stress factors that ultimately lead to greater seedling survival after planting."

To register to attend, visit https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/moraforestry. For more information, call 575-387-2319.

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-forestry-research-center-in-mora-to-highlight-reforestation-pipeline-during-field-day/s/0bbf1087-940f-4aeb-bed5-f02f2de5bc08