SENATE MEMORIAL 15

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING EXPANSION OF THE USE OF CITIZEN SCIENCE BY STATE AGENCIES AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A "CITIZEN SCIENCE DAY".

 

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a beautiful state that is rich in natural resources and filled with individuals who take great pride in the state's environment; and

     WHEREAS, state agencies manage nearly fifty-three million acres of land but lack the resources to fully monitor this land; and

     WHEREAS, citizen science is a collaboration among community members, state government and the scientists who manage the state's public lands in which citizens volunteer to help collect data about plants, animals, air quality and water quality; and

     WHEREAS, citizen science can provide valuable data while fostering scientific literacy and community engagement, ensuring that the state thrives through future generations of environmental stewards; and

     WHEREAS, citizen science can engage the youth, provide exposure to a variety of science-based careers and expand STEM-based education opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, in the 2024 legislative session, the house of representatives passed House Memorial 34, which requested several state agencies to create a working group to develop recommendations for expanding the use of citizen science in New Mexico, and this working group prepared a report and is taking steps to integrate citizen science into state agencies; and

     WHEREAS, encouraging other state agencies to use citizen science can help more people, especially the youth, to become aware, involved and concerned about real world issues and help time-constrained scientists to collect data; and

     WHEREAS, establishing a "Citizen Science Day" will help educate other state agencies and the public about the benefits of citizen science;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the senate recognize the importance of citizen science and its role in engaging the youth and the public in science and the outdoors and assisting state agencies in collecting valuable data that is otherwise difficult to collect; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to declare a "Citizen Science Day" and recognize the many New Mexico residents and projects that have made significant contributions to citizen science across this state and many more; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department, the New Mexico outdoor recreation division of the economic development department, the higher education department and the New Mexico department of agriculture be requested to review the working group report titled "Recommendations to Expand the Use of Citizen Science in State Agencies in New Mexico" and provide recommendations to integrate citizen science, especially for the youth, into the agencies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the public education department, the New Mexico outdoor recreation division of the economic development department, the higher education department and the New Mexico department of agriculture for appropriate distribution.

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