Tree New Mexico (http://www.treenm.com/) is dedicated to ensuring sustainable forests in urban and rural communities and natural areas through restoration, public education and advocacy. Incorporated in May of 1990 and recognized nationally, Tree New Mexico is known to be one of the most successful urban and rural tree planting efforts in the nation.

Its partners and volunteers have planted over 950,000 trees in New Mexico and on Navajoland in Arizona. Pfeifer Studio’s donations to Tree New Mexico will benefit a restoration project in the 17 mile stretch of open space that spans Albuquerque’s riparian woodlands, locally known as the bosque, which surround the Rio Grande River and passes less than a mile from our North Valley studio.

The supported project is focused on restoring the bosque through the removal of non-native invasive species; primarily Salt Cedar, Russian Olive, Mulberry, Tree of Heaven and Siberian Elm.

As importantly the project then replants native trees, such as Cottonwood, New Mexico Olive, Choke Cherry and Black Willow. The non-native species harm the eco-system by crowding out natives and consuming copious amounts of the region’s limited water resources.

The Unmistakable Yellow Leafs of a Cottonwood in Autumn

All non-natives are bad, but few are as destructive as Salt Cedar. The early 20th century decision to plant salt cedar to stabilize stream banks in New Mexico ultimately diminished the flow of the river and tributaries vital to the agricultural, environmental and economic stability of the region. Salt cedar is a major factor in the Rio Grande’s low water levels. One salt cedar is a giant straw, sucking as much as 200 gallons of water per day out of rivers, springs and wetlands.
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Salt Cedars Along the Rio Grande

Tree New Mexico has help preserve and restore the eco-system of the middle Rio Grande valley for 20 years and we are honored to partner with them. Shop with confidence and help us give back this holiday season.