New Mexico governor joins US conservation challenge

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wants to conserve more of the state's land and water

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order Wednesday, making New Mexico the latest western state to join an ambitious effort to conserve nearly one-third of America's lands and waters by 2030. The Biden administration detailed its plans in May for achieving the goal, saying conservation and restoration of lands and waters was an urgent priority. Democratic officials and environmentalists see the effort as a tool to increase green space, protect drinking water sources and reduce wildfires risks. To make significant progress on the decade-long commitment, experts have said that western states must play a key role in the effort. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, said she wants to “bring people together” in New Mexico for the initiative that she hopes will make a difference for decades to come.