TABLE OF CONTENTS

2-3 Highlights from Smokey Bear Ranger District

4-5 Highlights from Sacramento Ranger District

6-7 Highlights from Guadalupe Ranger District

 8 Cave Program

 9 Habitat Stamp Program -- Wildlife Improvements

10 Fire Season Summary

11 Fuels Treatment

12 Conservation Education

13 Heritage Program - Restoring Mesa Barn

14 Map of the Lincoln

15 2012 Fact Sheet

 

“Partnerships in Sustainability”

2012

Stakeholder’s

Report

“Sustainability of the resources and sustainability of the partnerships 

that contribute vitally to the management of the Lincoln National Forest is 

paramount to long term-success. It is the resource that sustains us, our way 

of life, and the future of our local communities while partnerships provide the 

energy, vision, and drive to restore and maintain resilient forests. ”

- Robert Trujillo

Forest Supervisor, Lincoln National Forest

The U.S. Department of agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability , and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial 

status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center 

at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 

(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
SMOKEY BEAR 

 The Lone Pine Water Catchment Project was a collaborative effort 

between the Lincoln National Forest and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. It was a dual-use project with its main 

purpose to improve conditions for both wildlife and livestock within the burned area of the 2011 White Fire. Funding for this 

project came from wildfire rehabilitation dollars, as well as the Habitat Stamp Program (HSP), which is funded in part through 

hunting and fishing license sales. This project was made possible with contributions from local businesses such as the Eagle 

Creek Land and Cattle Company and the Lincoln County Mercantile. 

 This collaborative effort established a 70’ x 70’ water catchment pad, along with three 5,000 gallon tanks for holding 

collected rainwater. A dedicated wildlife drinker was installed along with a separate livestock drinker in order to provide drinking 

water in a dual-use capacity. A fence enclosure was erected around the project to protect the water catchment pad from 

potential livestock impacts. 

 The project was a forest-wide effort. Employees from many 

different departments from both the Smokey Bear and Sacramento 

Ranger Districts provided assistance. 

 The Lone Pine project will provide a large amount of water to 

a historically dry area. Benefits to wildlife from this project will 

be monitored over the coming years. Continued maintenance will 

ensure that this project becomes an established water source 

for animals on the district. Through the continued efforts of our 

collaborators, the Smokey Bear Ranger District was able to improve 

post-fire habitat conditions on the forest for current and future 

generations.

Lone Pine Water 

Catchment Project

2

Firefighters on the Little Bear Fire.

RIGHT: Catchment drinker for the trick tank.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Smokey Bear Hotshots and others help 

unload the tarp for the upper end of the tank.

Sierra Blanca Wildfire Academy

The Sierra Blanca Wildfire Academy is the result of a strong multi-agency collaboration designed to provide critical wildland firefighting 

training to a regional audience of fire professionals. Cooperators include the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico 

State Forestry, the Ruidoso Fire Department, Lincoln County Emergency Management and Volunteer Fire Departments, and the City of 

Ruidoso Downs Fire Department. Other important partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

This academy offers courses that range from basic firefighting to more advanced training. Students from New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, 

and even as far away as Minnesota, have attended courses at the academy. Harlan Vincent, Fire Chief for the Village of Ruidoso, and one of 

the founding members of the wildfire academy attributes the success of the academy to the multi-agency participation in providing qualified 

instructors to teach classes and lead discussions. In Chief Vincent’s words, “This is truly the definition of multi-agency, 

multi-jurisdictional teamwork. This academy was merely run off of a shoe string budget when it was started and 

without the help of our partners this academy would simply not exist. Due to the cooperation of all agencies 

involved, thousands of firefighters have been through this academy and received some of the finest classes and 

training offered.”

The Sierra Blanca Wildfire Academy plays an important role in providing well-trained fire personnel to 

respond to the needs of our forests and communities. We look forward to continued cooperation between 

all involved agencies to ensure that quality education is being provided for our brave men and women on the 

front lines! 

“Traditionally, close to 300 students take advantage of this 

unique opportunity for centralized training each year!”

- Harlan Vincent

Fire Chief, Village of Ruidoso
NM Wilderness 

Alliance

In 2012, the Lincoln National Forest helped the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWA) 

secure grant funding through the National Forest Foundation to conduct much needed 

inventory work in the White Mountain and Capitan Wilderness Areas. This work helped us to 

improve our score in the Chief’s 10 Year Wilderness Stewardship Challenge. The goal of the 

Challenge is to better manage our Wilderness Areas and ensure the values for which they 

were established are protected. 

Over the summer months, 35 volunteers participated in GPS training and/or field data 

collection, logging in 580 hours. Volunteers came from Carlsbad, Los Lunas, Ruidoso, 

Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, Albuquerque, and as far away as New Jersey. So far, Lynne 

Uhring, NMWA GIS Specialist and wilderness volunteer coordinator, has made seven 

inventory trips from Albuquerque to multiple locations on the Smokey Bear Ranger 

District. Lynne travelled 3,266 miles in her Subaru and has logged 275 volunteer 

hours (does not include travel time) for the Smokey Bear Inventory. Below is a 

list of 2012 accomplishments.

White Mountain Wilderness: 

• 62 campsites have been inventoried, 

• 34 invasive plant locations have been recorded,

• 77 Points of Interest were recorded (mostly wilderness boundary

 signs and trail signs).

Capitan Wilderness: 

• 5 campsites recorded and inventoried,

• 32 invasive plant locations were recorded, 

• 43 Points of Interest were recorded. 

“While hiking in the wilderness 

to collect inventory data, I saw 

the wilderness with new eyes. I 

saw plants and trails and signs 

and scenery in ways I had never 

perceived them before.”

- Lynne Uhring 

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

RANGER DISTRICT

LEFT: Volunteers inventorying a campsite.ABOVE: 

Volunteers learn to use their GPS units.

RIGHT: Sign requiring replacement.

BELOW RIGHT: Relaxing after a long day’s work.

3

 We don’t have total recall of all the events that shape our lives. Instead, our lives are 

marked by events that make enduring impacts, such as the birth of a child, getting married, 

or the death of a parent. These events are like buoys that chart the courses of our lives – they 

mark the passage we’ve traveled and lay a direction for where we are going. 

 The same can be said about a career in the Forest Service. I’ve worked for this agency 

since 1993, and there is no way I can remember all the things that shaped my career - but I do 

remember certain events and situations that helped shape not only my career, but my life. I 

remember a small fire in 1994 called the Tom fire; I remember building a very long section of 

high mountain trail in 1998; I remember the Cerro Grande and Viveash fires in 2000; and I 

will remember 2012 for the Little Bear fire. 

 In all these instances, it is not necessarily the events themselves that I remember, rather, it 

is the people who stood beside me that most readily come to mind. The same will be true for 

2012. I will always remember the strength and commitment demonstrated by the people of 

Lincoln County during the Little Bear fire. I will remember the efforts of our multi-agency 

firefighters and first responders. I will remember the conviction of local elected officials. 

I will remember the solidarity and support from our Mescalero Apache neighbors. I will 

remember the partnership with NM State Forestry. I will remember the capacity for action 

by local governments. I will remember the competency of my staff. And I will remember the 

resilience of a community that found strength in the face of tragedy. 

 I would like to thank all of the people who stood shoulder to shoulder during and after 

this natural disaster. The Little Bear fire changed both the natural and human landscape 

of Lincoln County. There are places in the forest and places in our hearts that will never be 

the same as they were before the fire, but Mother Nature and the human spirit are tenacious 

fighters. Within the burned area, aspen trees have re-sprouted and are thriving. Wildlife 

surveys have noted the return of elk, deer, bears, and other furry and feathered friends. 

Damaged ski lifts at Ski Apache and the Monjeau Lookout tower are being reconstructed. 

Friends and neighbors continue to help those who lost homes rebuild their houses and their 

lives. We will need to continue these labors in 2013 and beyond. I look forward to being a 

part of these efforts. 

Sincerely,

David Warnack 
La Pasada Encantada - Reconstruction of a 

Visually Accessible Trail

 During the fall of 2012, the Sacramento Ranger District hosted 

White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) for training exercises. These 

exercises were to conduct training activities in the area of 

Sacramento Peak, Scott Able Canyon, and several Forest System 

Roads with about 220 soldiers participating in the efforts. 

 The Sacramento Ranger District has terrain and vegetation 

similar to what is found in Afghanistan, which made for an 

opportunity to do a real world test for the equipment. The main piece 

of equipment tested was the Rifleman Radio. The Rifleman Radio is 

body worn, minimizing the soldier’s combat load while providing added 

features. This radio acts like a cell phone tower and the radios can tie in 

with other radios creating a network around them to carry a signal like a smart 

phone. 

 The reason for doing the exercises on the Sacramento Ranger District was to determine the 

effectiveness of the radios in settings where dense vegetation exists. Soldiers tested their radio 

equipment in the wooded and mountainous terrain before they were shipped to be used in 

Afghanistan. Most of the operations in east and northeastern Afghanistan take place in elevations 

ranging from 10,000 to 14,000 feet, also similar to that in the Sacramento Mountains.

 The rugged and mountainous terrain on the Lincoln National Forest provided the perfect 

opportunity to test new and emerging equipment and was instrumental in the success of these 

operations. These multi-day training exercises were also a great example of multiple uses on 

our national public lands.

White Sands Missile Range 

Training Exercises

“The opportunity for WSMR to train on the 

Lincoln National Forest saved the American 

taxpayers around $9 million!”

 - Marcie Kelton

Sacramento Ranger District, Recreation Staff Officer

New sign and bench along La Pasada Encantada Trail. 

Setting up operations for testing on the district. 

 SACRAMENTO 

4

 The trail was originally designed and dedicated in the 1970’s, in cooperation with the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually 

Impaired. The school would make field trips to the Sacramento Mountains and educate the students on environmental education, as well 

as give them practice on their braille reading. 

 The trail was improved by hardening the surface and constructing “bumper bars” on each side of the trail. All of the signs were rewritten and updated with the most current information about the flora and fauna that visitors may experience while out on the trail. The 

interpretive signs incorporated a combination of traditional written text and braille. The New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually 

Impaired proofed the draft versions of the signs, with empasis on the braille 

messages.

Nine of the 25 signs have a cast bronze inset on them, with extra design 

features that provide a 3-D effect. Impressions of leaves, fossils, 

bones and even wildlife tracks can be experienced visually and 

by touch. In several areas alongside the trail, benches 

were installed, allowing for an extraordinay 

setting in which to sit and relax while 

listening to the sounds of the forest.
Mexican Canyon Trestle 

Restoration and Reconstruction

“It is not merely the completion of this 

awesome project that we celebrate, but 

the many organizations and hundreds of 

volunteers that made this dream a reality.”

- James Duran

District Ranger, Sacramento Ranger District

ABOVE TOP: The Mexican Canyon Trestle circa 1900 with a passenger train atop its timbers.

ABOVE MIDDLE: The main interpretive and viewing area at the new Vista.

ABOVE BOTTOM: The Mexican Canyon Trestle after restoration was completed.

Workers prepare the trestle “bents” or sections for removal followed by repair

 and / or replacement of rotted timbers where needed.

RANGER DISTRICT

5

 Following three years of hard work by many enitities, the restoration 

of the National Register-listed Mexican Canyon Trestle (1899) and its 

new interpretive overlook have been completed. The Trestle that has 

stood for over 100 years is now ready to delight visitors for the next 

hundred years. 

The Lincoln National Forest would like to thank these Stakeholders 

and Partners for their support and contributions to this outstanding 

project:

The Mescalero Apache Tribe; Mescalero Forest Products; New Mexico 

State University, Department of Civil and Geological Engineering; New 

Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association; Congressman Steve Pearce’s Office; 

the Village of Cloudcroft; Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce; The 

Travel Institute; Weasel Productions; Dodson Lumber Co.; Burlington 

Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company; New Mexico Department 

of Transportation; the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Junior Civil Air Patrol, 

Alamogordo Composite SQDN; Alamogordo, NM, Boy Scout Troop 

147, Yucca Council; the El Paso Ridgewalkers; Lincoln National Forest 

employees; Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) employees; Holloman 

AFB Sergeant’s Assoc.; Tzec Maun Foundation; U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest; and the many 

individuals who volunteered to work on the project.

 In 1899, the railroad which began in the newly formed town of Alamogordo, NM, rose from 

the desert floor, climbed nearly 5,000’ in elevation and reached the Village of Cloudcroft atop the 

Sacramento Mountains. It was an engineering marvel during its time, and over the years became 

one of the more important historical features in the area. Constructed out of wood, it lasted over 

100 years, but began to show signs of deterioration in the early 1990’s. 

 The Lincoln National Forest took the lead, and 

between 2009 and 2011, partnered with many 

volunteers to clear the way for preservation and 

restoration of the trestle. The endeavor included a 

plan for a spectacular new recreational vista, where 

visitors could stop to learn and admire this piece of 

history. 

 The Trestle Vista Area was completed in late fall 

of 2011. The grand opening of the Mexican Canyon 

Trestle Vista took place 

on June 2, 2012. 

 The passion of those individuals who truly connect with the outdoors and the Sacramento 

Ranger District was visible all year long in 2012. This made another year of public service 

a very exciting time. I’d like to sincerely thank all of our partners who work alongside the 

Lincoln National Forest and make this place a special piece of forest, especially to those who 

continually go out in the woods everyday looking to maintain valuable traditions that make 

the multiple use vision so unique. I’m thankful for the community interaction which occurred 

this past year. The Mexican Canyon Trestle celebration was memorable. It was awesome 

to witness the results of a unified vision and of the valuable partnerships that made this 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project possible. The restoration work was complex, 

but serves as an excellent example of communities, local governments and the Forest Service 

working towards a goal to better serve the public. The best part of it all is seeing visitors 

continue to trickle in just to stop and enjoy the rich history of the railroad in the Sacramento 

Mountains. 

 2012 also brought forward opportunities for the district to support some very important 

multiple use projects. I’m proud of the work the district completed in order to partner on 

several military training operations. The Sacramento Ranger District served as a prime 

training ground for several units requiring steep terrain within dense timber, at high 

elevations, which closely models those environments found in areas where our soldiers fight for 

our freedom. I’d like to personally thank all of the military personnel at White Sands Missile 

Range and Ft. Bliss for their commitment to service, as well as for their professionalism 

during all on-the-ground operations on the Sacramento Ranger District. I hope that our 

work in supporting specialized training assists the military organization in accomplishing the 

Mission and I look forward to a continued partnership. 

 Lastly, I’d like to thank all of our forest community friends who continue to visit the 

district and especially the “regulars” who have made our Monthly Lecture Series a success. My 

staff enjoys the interaction with the people who adore the Sacramentos. The conversations 

during these events have been remarkably engaging and inspiring. I’m proud of my staff 

and would like to thank the entire district workforce for their hard work and continued 

commitment to connecting with communities and serving the public. 

 I wish all our partners a happy and safe 2013. May we all appreciate our beautiful 

outdoors and each other as we enjoy the New Year. 

Happy Trails,

James D. Duran
 GUADALUPE 

6

The World Down-Under: Caves

“Science doesn’t stop at the cave entrance, 

actually, science gets more interesting and 

cutting edge with discoveries made every 

year. Creatures that live in these extreme 

environments can teach us about curing 

diseases and life on other planets!” - Jason Walz

Cave Specialist, Guadalupe Ranger District

ABOVE: Descending into the depths of a cave.

BELOW: The haunting and beautiful “Pseudo Tolkien” room.

 The Guadalupe Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest has some of the most important cave resources in the country and is 

well known internationally. About a year ago, the Lincoln decided to reinvigorate their Cave Program by hiring Cave Specialist, Jason 

Walz, who has managed and explored caves for more than a decade. About the same time, a new District Ranger, Jim Gumm, took the 

reins of the Guadalupe Ranger District. Together, Jason and Jim teamed up to improve the Lincoln’s Cave Program and shared their 

ideas with other Forests. The Cave Ecosystem Program focused on integrating all sciences that the Forest Service managed. 

 White Nose Syndrome (WNS) prevention emerged as a nationwide issue in 2012. White Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that 

has decimated bat populations east of the Mississippi. The disease is spreading, but has not been found in New Mexico yet, so all 

agencies in the State are managing for prevention. It has been proven that bats spread the disease to each other, but there is evidence 

that fungal spores can be spread by people and their belongings. With this in mind, the Lincoln National Forest is following the WNS 

Interagency Response Plan for New Mexico. To reduce the threat of exposure to bat populations on the Lincoln, all significant bat caves 

were closed and everyone who enters any cave must clean and disinfect their equipment. The Lincoln initiated a public awareness 

campaign focused on explaining this bat disease and the importance of the precautionary disinfection procedures. At the same time a 

large and active group of volunteers find and identify bat caves to be studied, counted and conserved before any disease arrives.

 The Lincoln National Forest has been working with experienced cavers who are members of many groups called grottos. Grottos 

are cave clubs that are part of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and supply a lot of volunteer hours to the Lincoln National 

Forest. Many times grottos have the most accurate cave information. The Forest Service has a written agreement with the NSS which 

facilitates exchange of information. Another group that the Lincoln works closely with is the National Cave and Karst Institute (NCKRI) 

located in Carlsbad, NM near the Guadalupe Ranger District Office. Over the last year, the Lincoln has partnered with NCKRI to promote 

educational programs, training programs and a national conference. These partnerships help the Lincoln deliver a higher quality cave 

management program to the public.

 2012 has been a year of rebuilding here on the Guadalupe 

Ranger District; the fire season of 2011 challenged each and every 

one of us. 

 Through a lot of hard work by volunteers, Lincoln National 

Forest employees and the entire staff of the “Guads”, a corner has 

been turned and our cherished lands and the improvements here are 

on the road to recovery.

 In addition to tangible rebuilding projects, 2012 has been a year 

of strengthening relationships here in Carlsbad and the surrounding 

areas. We have expanded our outreach efforts to local schools by 

bringing the cave ecosystem alive in the classroom. Staff members 

are actively engaged with researchers from New Mexico State 

University, Texas A&M. and our local community college learning 

more each day about the unique ecosystem that we live and work in. 

Civic organizations, like the Lions Club are donating their time and 

their money in our ongoing effort to restore Sitting Bull Falls. 

In short, the year has been a success. We are stronger 

organizationally, the beautiful land is healing, our facilities have 

been improved, and most importantly, we have an even greater 

set of individuals and organizations partnering with us, each 

contributing in their unique way to the health of the Guads.

Many Happy Returns, 

Jim Gumm
Rebuilding 

Sitting

Bull Falls

RANGER DISTRICT

“Without our volunteers, 

this project would never 

have been completed, thank 

you to all!” 

Recreation Staff Officer

- Paul Buck

ABOVE: A pavilion burned during the Last Chance Fire in 2011.

BELOW: The restored CCC pavilion built during the 1930’s and listed on 

the National Register of Historic Places.

ABOVE: The spectacular falls at Sitting Bull Falls frozen over in winter.

BELOW: A Texas Madrone survives the fire and comes back to life.

LEFT: Public enjoying the waters and riparian area below the falls.

ABOVE RIGHT: Volunteers work to reconstruct a fence near the Sitting Bull Falls area.

 The main focus of the Guadalupe Ranger District’s Recreation program this 

year was the reconstruction and restoration of the Sitting Bull Falls Picnic Area, 

originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930’s 

and now a significant cultural and historical landmark.

 Following the Last Chance fire in 2011, this the picnic area was at its center 

and many things that could burn did burn, such as the wood in the pavilions, area 

vegetation, and even the limestone that contributed to structural soundness of 

the buildings suffered damage from the intense heat of the fire. After the fire, 

popular hiking trails looping throughout the site incurred damage that resulted 

from erosion.

 Under the leadership of the Guadalupe Ranger District, the community came 

together to rebuild the site and area trails. We accomplished the following:

- Two modern cabanas and one Civilian Conservation Corps cabana 

 were rebuilt,

- Twenty six trees, in sizes between 6 to 10 feet, were planted including 

 trees that were donated by Carlsbad Lions Club,

- Burned fences were replaced and rebuilt,

- Trails were improved to allow for safe public traffic.

 Volunteers donated approximately 1,150 hours. As a result of hard work and a 

common goal, the Guadalupe Ranger District was able to reopen the site in April of 

2012.
CAVE PROGRAM

“The National Cave and Karst Research 

Institute sees caves and karst as amazing, 

diverse and beyond the ability of any one 

group or government agency to fully study 

and manage. We greatly appreciate the 

U.S. Forest Service’s partnership in 

support of our programs.”

- George Veni

Executive Director of NCKRI

Successful Partnerships

In 2012, the Lincoln National Forest continued developing its partnership with the National Cave and Karst Research Institute 

(NCKRI). Along with the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, the Lincoln National Forest has been 

part of the Organizing Committee that is planning the 2013 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium. Through 

this partnership approach, a well-developed conference has been planned, with NCKRI hosting the event in Carlsbad, NM. 

Workshops, seminars, and field trips will be offered throughout the week-long event that will be held during the first week of 

November 2013. For registration information, visit: http://www.nckri.org/events/conference.html 

 The High Guads Restoration Project (HGRP) has once again donated 

the most volunteer hours of all the cave groups working on the Lincoln 

National Forest during the past year. As soon as projects are identified, 

this group is out there completing the tasks! 

 The largest projects they tackled involved restoring the paths through 

two caves so that the caves could return to recreational access. This took 

countless hours of replacing miles of flagging tape that keeps people on 

the path; and removing mud and boot-prints that had accumulated over 

the years. Dedicated volunteers completed the hard work that will make 

it possible for people to explore caves and experience new adventures. 

The work of the High Guads Restoration Project is the cornerstone of 

recreational caving on the Lincoln! 

 Volunteers from the Fort Stanton Cave Study Project and the 

Southwest Region of the National Speleological Society (NSS) 

covered a lot of ground this past year. Some groups or ‘grottos’ 

were out searching for new caves while other groups initiated or 

continued cave survey projects. Mapping caves is a meticulous 

task with measurements taken in all directions, biological and 

geological inventories completed and drawings made in three 

different perspectives. This great work by NSS volunteers is very 

beneficial to the Lincoln National Forest and the grottos have 

some great adventures, while engaging in this unique work!

Cave Exploration

Volunteers in Action

ABOVE: Descending into a dark fissure is an exciting adventure.

LEFT: Volunteers who were surveying and inventorying a cave, stop to 

admire the stream of sunlight as it enters a darker world.

Volunteer carefully hikes his way to a project cave entrance. This country 

can be steep, treacherous and difficult to reach.

8
HABITAT STAMP PROGRAM - 

Wildlife Improvements

ABOVE: For some trick tanks, tarps such as the one above are laid 

down to catch rain water. 

RIGHT: Mule deer, one of the many wildlife species benefitting from these 

treatments and water sources.

 The final step of a trick tank, the drinker. 

9

 “We have provided thousands of acres of prime 

habitat for deer, elk, wild turkeys and other 

wildlife, at a rate of about 2,000 acres a year.”

- Rhonda Stewart

Wildlife Biologist

An inverted umbrella catchment container for gathering water. This 

part of the trick tank gathers the water and pipes it to a drinker at a 

different locaiton.

Middleton Prescribed Fire Post-Monitoring

 - Measuring Success

 In 2012, one prescribed burn area was monitored on the Guadalupe Ranger 

District to evaluate the effectiveness of the burn. Results of the monitoring 

showed significant increase in canopy openings, while retaining clumps of large 

mature trees across the landscape. Vegetation diversity increased, promoting a 

grassy herbaceous mix, and the fire was effective in reducing shrubs and juniper 

sprouts across the site.

Trick Tanks

 Four trick tanks were installed on the Lincoln National Forest in 2012. Nygren 

Trick Tank was put into place on the Guadalupe Ranger District, Wofford, and 

Lookout Trick Tanks on the Sacramento Ranger District and Salazar Trick 

Tank was added on the Smokey Bear Ranger District. Jeffries, Lone Pine and 

Culp Trick Tanks were replaced. The tanks provide a water source for wildlife, in an 

area that normally has limited water resources. These benefit wildlife by providing a 

necessary component for survival.

About the Program

 The Habitat Stamp Program is an integral part of the wildlife program on the Lincoln 

National Forest. A joint venture between the New Mexico Game & Fish and the U.S. Forest 

Service, the initial funding for the Habitat Stamp Program is provided through the State of 

New Mexico. The Lincoln National Forest leverages this money, matching them with funding, 

personnel and equipment, as well as funding and volunteers from other organizations, to 

accomplish projects on the ground. The work accomplished in the wildlife program has been 

heavily integrated with fisheries, timber, fire, range and recreation. Not only have the water 

trick tanks benefited wildlife, but modifications have allowed sharing with range resources. 

Timber removal and landscape-scale prescribed burning have been effective in enhancing 

wildlife habitat and forest restoration.

 

 Personnel on all three ranger districts improved wildlife habitat on more than 1900 acres, 

with activities that included prescribed fire, thinning, and wetland restoration. Partnering with 

the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the districts 

were able to maximize success for projects that were not only functionally benefitting wildlife, 

but also aesthetically pleasing for forest visitors. Buffers along roads and drainages, and 

clumps of trees left to mimic the natural distribution of trees and balanced with meadow-like 

areas, resulted in a higher diversity of vegetation to contribute to ecosystem resiliency and enhanced 

wildlife species habitat.
FIRE

Recapping a Fire Season

 The 2012 fire season was characterized by two large fires. The 

Lincoln National Forest experienced moderate weather compared 

to 2011, which resulted in fewer large fires. Unfortunately, with 

the alignment of wind and weather, the Little Bear Fire consumed 

almost 30,000 acres in a single day. Although this fire will forever 

define the 2012 Fire Season, it hopefully will be used to educate 

and prepare for the next. Large fires are possible every year and 

the Lincoln National Forest will continue to prepare and manage the 

health of the complex interface.

 The Smokey Bear Ranger District experienced the Little Bear 

Fire towards the end of the summer. The fire started in the White 

Mountain Wilderness Area making suppression difficult at such a 

high altitude. Several days later, a strong wind pushed the fire over 

three miles outside the wilderness burning 251 residences. The 

damage this fire created is significant and highlights the precarious 

relationship we have with our surroundings. Meanwhile, the Smokey 

Bear Ranger District continues to work on improving our capability to 

manage fires by prescribed burning 456 acres in the Wildland Urban 

Interface (WUI) and 367 acres outside of the WUI. In addition, the district thinned 484 acres in the WUI. 

 Sacramento Ranger District did not experience a large fire this year and they continued 

their efforts to maintain and treat areas around the many interface communities like 

Mayhill, Cloudcroft, Timberon, and Weed. The crews prescribed burned 1,316 acres and 

thinned 944 acres in the WUI. 

 The Guadalupe Ranger District was the location of the second largest fire on the Lincoln 

National Forest during the 2012 fire season. The Horse Canyon Fire burned more than 

5,000 acres over several days. Eventually, most of the fire ran into old fire scars from last 

year’s activity. Although this was a large fire, it met many resource objectives and may 

be very beneficial by stimulating growth of new grasses and forbs. That rate of growth is 

largely dependent on the amount of precipitation that the area receives before the Spring 

of 2013. 

10

LEFT: Road used as a “fire break”. In this area the 

fire did not “crown” or travel through the tops of trees. 

Natural breaks such as roads and trails can be used or 

enhanced to limit the spread of a ground fire.

ABOVE: The Crest Trail used to stop the advancement 

of the Little Bear Fire.

LEFT: Firefighters from the Smokey Bear Hotshots work to create a fire line during the Little Bear fire.

ABOVE: The plume of smoke from the Little Bear fire on June 8, 2012.
FUELS TREATMENT

“The partnership is an increasingly 

important part of the forest’s workforce 

during the fall and winter months.”

- David Warnack

District Ranger, Smokey Bear Ranger District

 In 2012, the Lincoln National Forest teamed up with the Veterans Green Corps 

Demonstration Program to complete critical hazardous fuels reduction projects. The 

Veterans Green Corps is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service 

and the Southwest Conservation Corps. The program’s focus and objective is to enable 

former members of the armed services to transition into civilian life by providing job 

training, personal development, and conservation service opportunities in natural 

resources, with emphasis on fuels management projects. 

 The six-person Veterans Crew worked on the Forest for eight weeks. Their efforts 

were split equally between the Guadalupe, Sacramento, and Smokey Bear Ranger 

Districts. Project work included prescribed burning next to the Wildland Urban 

Interface and forest thinning. The crew also took advantage of wildfire training 

courses provided by the Forest Service. 

 The crew’s time on the Lincoln National Forest was important to participants. Crew 

leader Keith Grant said, “Putting the vets back to work is a great idea. With their 

backgrounds and exposure to the U.S. Forest Service they will be able to readily adapt 

to a civilian workforce. I have worked multiple sessions with other agencies. The 

Lincoln National Forest really understands what the objectives of the Green Corps are. 

I feel that the Lincoln supports a variety of training opportunities. It has been good for 

our crew to get exposure to the Forest Service and land management.”

 

 This is the second year of our partnership with the Veterans Green Corps. The 

partnership is an increasingly important part of the forest’s workforce during the fall 

and winter months. We look forward to continuing this relationship and to supporting 

our Veterans from around the country. 

ABOVE TOP: The Veterans Green Corps Crew.

BELOW: The crew in the field working on a prescribed 

burn project.

11

 The Lincoln conducts vegetative treatments to reduce the risk of wildfires and 

to improve habitat for a variety of wildlife species. These treatments can be as 

simple as a Pinyon-Juniper push or very complex with multiple 

treatment methods (cutting, masticating, burning) on one 

piece of land over a period of several years.

 For a wildfire, “fuels” refers to the types of vegetation that 

can burn. The goal of many of our fuel reduction treatments 

is to reduce fuels, especially around wildland urban interface 

settings. 

 Associated with many of these treatments are the 

products that are produced for public consumption including: 

commercial timber for local area mills, fuel wood areas, 

material for pellet making and more. 

 Once a treatment is completed, nature continues its journey, and vegetation does 

begin to grow back. Previously treated areas must be revisited and maintenance 

projects are necessary to retain the effectiveness of the fuel reduction treatments.

“We thinned 944 acres within Wildland 

Urban Interfaces and conducted 

prescribed burning on 1,316 acres.”

- Chad Stewart

Fire & Timber Staff Officer

UPPER LEFT: A “before” treatment area.

ABOVE: After treatment(s) have been completed.

LEFT: One of many products from treatments, this image shows a stacking 

area for commercial timber products.

Veterans Green Corps
 As land managers, the Forest Service wants to ensure that tomorrow’s 

leaders have the understanding and the motivation to use and care for our 

natural resources in a responsible, sustainable manner. It is not hard to 

find research decrying the fact that youth today spend significantly less 

time outdoors and more time with electronics than previous generations. 

This trend is blamed for obesity, ADHD, low self-esteem, poor grades, and 

much more. 

 Take It Outside, NM! is trying to change all that. This group 

of committed agency personnel, educators, and interested individuals is 

working together to get more New Mexicans into the outdoors where they 

can learn about our natural resources while enjoying the outdoors. This 

group pursues grant funding to 

get more kids outdoors, offers 

activities at schools, community 

functions, and military events, 

and works together to bring the 

outdoors to kids and kids to the 

outdoors.

 In March of 2012, all 452 fourth graders from the Alamogordo School system visited Sunspot. The majority of these students, and 

the adults that accompanied them, had never been to Sunspot. Some saw snow for the very first time. Students learned about our 

sun, telescopes, and what the astronomers at Sunspot do. 

 They learned about the wildlife that live in our mountains and saw the evidence of those animals in the different types of scat, the 

refuse of pine cones in a squirrel midden, and the scrapes and scratches left by bear and elk on the trees. They heard the “whump” as 

a tree was sawn down, smelled the fresh cut wood, and found the beetles that were feasting on the tree. 

 The fourth graders collected fossils as they imagined the plants and animals that used to live in our area. They learned about the 

origins of the White Sands and saw the dune field in its entirety. In a short respite from our hectic life, the kids sat still in silence for 

five minutes, listening to the wind in the trees, the birds claiming their territory, and insects crawling through the leaves. 

Experiences such as these, which may influence the children in their use of natural resources, their career choices, and their lives, are 

only possible through the partnership of many people and organizations. The National Solar Observatory, BLM-Prehistoric Trackways 

National Monument, White Sands National Monument, and the Lincoln National 

Forest contributed personnel to make these field trips an exceptional experience for 

the children. 

 The Albert I. Pierce Foundation generously donated funding for the busses that 

transported the kids up the hill to Sunspot. As Take It Outside, NM! continues 

efforts to connect people to the outdoors, we hope we see you in the woods in 

2013 and beyond. Happy Trails!

The “Take It Outside” Program 

Learning to bore a tree as a means to determine the age of a tree, without having to cut it down.

ABOVE: Making it “count” - 4th graders at Sunspot learn about counting the 

rings in a tree as a way of dating it. 

RIGHT: 4th Graders from Alamogordo visiting the Sunspot Observatory, 

many for the very first time.

12

“Earth and sky, woods and fields, 

lakes and rivers, the mountain 

and the sea, are excellent 

schoolmasters, and teach some of 

us more than we can never learn 

from books.” - John Lubbock
Mesa Barn Restoration 

 The Smokey Bear District of the Lincoln National Forest, in partnership with the Lincoln County 

Historical Society, has been working steadily to restore the Mesa Barn. Restoration has been 

accomplished through a variety of means including Youth Conservation Corps employees, a Forest 

Service Enterprise Unit, and under contract.

 The National Register-eligible barn is the last surviving Civilian Conservation Corps structure 

on the District, dating back to the 1930s. It is also the location of the Mesa Ranger Station 

established shortly after the Lincoln National Forest was created. Originally, the Ranger Station 

had a homestead-like layout with a house, office, shed, barn, fruit trees, and vegetable garden 

(see photos below).

 Today the barn is located in a rustic setting and is frequented by deer and elk. The easy-access 

barn is surrounded by shade trees and has room for equestrian use. Restoration activities of the 

barn include the replacement of worn and broken barn doors, roof repairs, gutter installation, new 

exterior paint, along with an interior clean out, and remodel for future 

use. There are future opportunities at the barn for the interpretation of 

the area’s history and natural setting.

 Upon completion of the work, the barn will be posted on the National 

Recreation Reservation Service Web site (http://www. Recreation.

gov), where the general public will be able to reserve and rent the site 

for personal use and enjoyment. The rental program supports the 

sustainability 

of historic 

structures. 

Funds 

generated from 

the rental will 

be used for 

the continued 

operation and 

maintenance 

of the historic barn. Those who rent the barn are providing 

financial support for the barn’s continued preservation. 

13

ABOVE LEFT: The Ranger’s house, circa 1930’s.

ABOVE RIGHT: Daughter of the ranger plays in front of 

the root cellar.

RIGHT: The Ranger’s place taken from the location of the 

Mesa Barn. The road in front is the current road.

ABOVE TOP: The barn before reconstruction, circa 2010.

ABOVE: View looking west from the corral of the completed barn. 

LEFT: South-easterly view of the Mesa Barn today after restoration.

Paint colors were carefully sampled and studied to determine the original 

colors. This added the finishing touch to the barn restoration.

JUST THE 

FACTS

15

“Volunteer hours for the Lincoln National Forest 

totalled over 33,000 person-hours equalling over 

$700,000 in work accomplished.” - Peg Crim

Volunteer Program Coordinator
United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Southwestern

Region

Pub #

 In the 2011 Stakeholder’s Report, the Forest Supervisor’s closing letter highlighted the importance of partnerships, community involvement and collaboration. This year, I start from there by 

reiterating that timely message. Additionally, I feel that transparency is critical to open communication. To make strides toward that, the Lincoln National Forest is currently developing a strategy 

that links the National Forest System direction, the related local community needs and desires, and the on-the-ground project planning into one cohesive and implementable vision for the future.

As of now, this vision for the future consists of five overarching commitments: Encourage/Support Restoration Industry ( i.e. forest thinning projects, timber sales, prescribed burns or 

other similar activities that depend on industry); Forest Plan Revision Preparation (a multiyear effort to collect needed field data to support a new Forest Plan); Obligations/

Legal Commitments (work required by rules and regulations); Partnerships; and Public Service to Local Communities (processing/administering permits, cooperative educational 

services).

 Once this vision is finalized, all projects planned and completed on the Lincoln National Forest will be in support of the objectives. By building transparency into all of our projects, we are 

striving to ensure healthy communication with our stakeholders, and healthy ecosystems through implementation of the right projects, at the right time, in the right places.

Anthony Edwards

Acting Forest Supervisor