TAOS, N.M. — The New Mexico Wildlife Federation, in coordination with partners at the National Wildlife Federation, the Colorado Wildlife Federation, and Trout Unlimited are excited to host the 2017 Upper Rio Grande Wildlife Connectivity Summit Tuesday, August 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sagebrush Inn & Suites, 1508 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, N.M. Senator Martin Heinrich will be speaking and attending the summit this year, along with additional congressional staff.

Building off last year’s successful New Mexico and Colorado Natural Heritage Wildlife Doorways Workshop, the 2017 summit aims to support and increase cross-jurisdictional collaboration between local, state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit agencies. Representatives from a myriad of agencies will be in attendance to provide updates on progress made regarding forest planning for terrestrial and aquatic connectivity and discuss ways to continue to move the process forward.

The 2017 Upper Rio Grande Wildlife Connectivity Summit will highlight forest plan update, collaboration between agency and nonprofit groups around the protection of wildlife connectivity.

In addition to U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich D-NM, speakers include Jeremy Romero, National Wildlife Federation; Andrew Black, New Mexico Wildlife Federation; Suzanne O’Neil, Colorado Wildlife Federation; and Garrett Hanks, Trout Unlimited. Presentations will also be made by key Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, Tribal leaders and landowner representatives.

Portions of the summit will be broadcast live on social media.