State and federal partnership invests in New Mexico’s conservation workforce
Eighteen New Mexico college students began an innovative paid Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Program in Rangeland Science and Natural Resource Management, a collaborative initiative designed to prepare the next generation of natural resource and public lands professionals.
The 10-week paid Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Program (POP) is a partnership among the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS), USDA Forest Service, New Mexico State University, Western New Mexico University, and Doña Ana Community College.
This POP serves as a critical workforce development tool, connecting students with career opportunities in land management and conservation while helping agencies cultivate the next generation of professionals needed to manage New Mexico’s natural resources. By providing paid work experience through POP, housing support and travel assistance, the program expands access to career pathways for students across the state.
“As wildfires, floods, and droughts become more acute across the state, we need more natural resource management professionals,” said NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “Through POPs we are investing in the future stewards of our forest, watersheds, and rural communities and helping students gain valuable real-world experience serving New Mexico’s public lands.”
The pre-apprentices will gain hands-on experience working alongside Forest Service professionals across New Mexico’s national forests, including the Cibola, Lincoln, Gila, Carson, and Santa Fe National Forests. Participants will support projects related to rangeland and forest ecosystem monitoring, watershed and vegetation assessments, wildlife habitat evaluation, grazing management, restoration planning, GIS analysis and conservation efforts.
Students were hired through NMDWS POP, which provides up to 400 hours of stipend support, partial benefits and travel assistance. Housing is being provided by the Forest Service host units.
“We are fortunate to partner with the State of New Mexico to develop future conservation leaders in difficult-to-fill fields,” said Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran, executive Forest Service sponsor of the statewide effort. “The work planned this summer will benefit forest health and reduce the risk of wildfire across the five national forests in New Mexico, while also supporting rural communities and prosperity."
As part of the POP, students from NMSU enrolled in the Internship for Academic Credit class. To successfully complete the program, those students will be submitting internship activity reports and a final written report and will receive an evaluation and letter of support from their Forest Service mentor.
This POP is designed for students studying rangeland science, forestry, agriculture, environmental science, natural resources and related fields, with an emphasis on expanding career opportunities and workforce pathways in land management and conservation.
Pictured top photo: Group photo of pre-apprentices during onboarding with USDA Forest Service. Pictured far left: James D. Duran, Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest, and New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair.
Bottom left and right photos of pre-apprentices attending the onboarding week field visit to see active forest management and discuss all hands approach to improving the health of the forest.
MEDIA CONTACTS
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Stacy Johnston, Communications Director
505-250-3926
stacy.johnston@dws.nm.gov
USDA Forest Service
Zach Behrens, Public Affairs Officer
Carson National Forest
575-758-6303
Zachary.behrens@usda.gov
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The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) oversees the New Mexico public workforce system. The department is committed to supporting the business community through special recruitment, analyzing hard to fill jobs, layoffs, job fairs, and skills assessments for hiring; and assisting New Mexicans seeking employment opportunities with job search, job referrals and placement, and customized skill development such as interviewing skills and resume writing. The department administers programs to include business services; workforce training; Unemployment Insurance; labor law enforcement; veterans’ services; and labor market information. NMDWS has expanded to include the Office of Housing and the Office of New Americans.