An Earth Day Message from Lt. Governor Diane Denish

Dear Friend,

Today we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

Through the years, the focus of Earth Day has changed - from cleaning up decades of unchecked industrial pollution in the '70s and '80s to taking on global climate change and preserving our untouched places through the first decade of this century - Earth Day has served as an important reminder of the good work people can do in their communities to effect positive change.

I wanted to take today to remind my friends and supporters of the importance of the Earth Day Movement and to recommit ourselves to the preservation of our state's wild places.

New Mexico has vast and wild spaces that deserve strong protections so they can be enjoyed now and for generations to follow. I am committed to preserving our state's rare gems.

One such place is the Gila River flowing through Southwestern New Mexico. It is one of the last wild and un-dammed rivers in the nation and as governor I pledge to keep it that way.

To learn more about the Gila, please visit http://www.gilaconservation.org/. More important, if you don't know about the Gila and its pristine beauty and biodiversity - get out there and take a look for yourself.

I believe a wild Gila can be a centerpiece of New Mexico's eco-tourism and outdoors industry. From rafting, to paddling, to fishing - a free-flowing Gila means tourism jobs and sustainable commerce for the people of Southwestern New Mexico.

It is a gift we can give our grandchildren.

Regards,


Diane