We cannot escape from the fate of interconnection so it is better to stare it in the face than ignore it. No one has the answer as to how to fix all the world’s problems, but perhaps together we can fix something.” (ella jaz kirk)

Dear Friends of the Gila,

Record visitation to public lands during the pandemic has demonstrated and reinforced humanity’s deep need to remain connected to the natural world. Heart of the Gila (HOTG) and our volunteers are grateful to live and work within this place of natural refuge and we were fortunate that our stewardship work was able to continue throughout 2020. By reducing our crew size and following strict Covid Safe Protocols, our Trails Partnership program was able to continue through the year and over 75 miles of trails were maintained throughout the Gila National Forest. HOTG also responded to the increased use of the Gila Wilderness by implementing multiple stewardship projects at highly visited recreational sites-such as Jordan Hot Springs on the Gila River - engaging visitors and volunteers in campsite clean-up, non-native plant removal and Leave No Trace education.

The year 2020 also saw the introduction of the MH Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act. HOTG is proud to be a small part of the effort that made that a reality. During the announcement of the bill, Sen. Heinrich spoke specifically about our film, Hearts on the Gila, and his commitment to continuing the legacy of New Mexicans like Ella, Ella, and Michael, who dedicated their lives to understanding and protecting the Gila River. You can download an audio of Sen Heinrich's speech here: Sen. Heinrich speaks on Wild and Scenic Gila River.

In October of this year, HOTG was awarded one of the first Outdoor Equity Fund Grants, to help bring underserved youth into the out-of-doors. We are busy planning those activities now for 2021, and look forward to implementing our Watershed Education program to young people in the mining district of Grant County.

And last year at exactly this time, HOTG as a member of the Peaceful Gila Skies coalition, traveled across New Mexico attending US Air Force hearings and speaking out against the Holloman Air Force Base proposal to train F-16 fighter jet pilots over the Gila. We are now awaiting the release of the Environmental Impact Statement due out early next year when we will continue defending our Gila skies.

As we near the end of the year, Heart of the Gila moves forward in hope. For as Ella told us, “perhaps together we can fix something.” With that future in mind, we are reaching out to you and asking for your help in generating the needed financial resources for another year of education, advocacy, and stewardship, of our wild places. We thank each of you for so generously supporting us in the past and to those of you who have already included us in your 2020 year-end donations.

Thank you for helping spread the light of the Gila,

Heart of the Gila Board: Naava Koenigsberg, Lexa Jobe Dahl-Bredine, Patrice Mutchnick

On-line donations can be made through PayPal on our website at https://heartofthegila.org/donate/ . Checks can be sent to: Heart of the Gila, 9 Airstrip Road, Mimbres, NM 88049.

HEART OF THE GILA is a not-for-profit, 501c3, incorporated in the State of New Mexico. Heart of the Gila EIN for tax-filing purposes: 8 2-257915