ABQ Times

Amid concerns regarding environmental protections, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller signed an executive order at the city's Earth Day Festival. This order aims to safeguard open spaces and natural resources in light of actions by the Trump's administration regarding federal lands.

"Trump is trying to steal our public lands and sell them off to the highest bidders, but we know these sacred spaces are irreplaceable, not meant for drilling, mining, logging, or exploiting," stated Mayor Keller. "We’re issuing this executive order because public lands don’t belong to any politician."

The Trump administration's policies have included funding reductions for land management in national parks, increasing private enterprise access to public lands, and altering environmental regulations such as the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

In contrast, Mayor Keller's executive order focuses on several initiatives to protect Albuquerque's environment. It outlines plans for tree planting, preservation of open spaces, management of the Rio Grande and the surrounding bosque, and nature-based stormwater management. Additionally, it addresses food justice and remediation of contaminated lands.

“It’s crucial we act to protect Albuquerque’s one-of-a-kind lands, native species, and sacred spaces for future generations to enjoy,” said Mayor Keller. “We won’t let federal pressures threaten our conservation efforts.”

The city currently manages over 30,000 acres of major public open space across various landscapes, including the West Mesa and Bosque Valley.

For more information on the impact of federal policies and Albuquerque's response, residents can consult the Defend ABQ dashboard.