Your Voice Can Make Sure that Otero Mesa is Protected Now and For Future Generations

How can our elected and appointed officials know what we think unless we tell them?  They need to know how to best act on our behalf and there is no better way than writing them a letter.

Tell them that you want to see Otero Mesa protected permanently.  As one of the last huge expanses of desert grassland left in North America, this special and wild place needs to be saved.

Take a moment and open any or all of these websites to contact the southern New Mexico Congressionals.  Then simply follow the guide for a great letter to your officials.

Secretary Salazar
President Obama
Senator Tom Udall
Senator Jeff Bingaman
Congressman Steve Pearce

5 Steps to a GREAT Letter

[Step 1 – Begin your letter, easy!]

Dear [use title and last name – never hurts to be as polite as possible],

[Step 2 – Introduce yourself]

“I am a resident of _____________ and I’m writing today…”
Or
“I’m one of your supporters and I need your support for Otero Mesa in New Mexico.”

[Step 3 – Tell them why Otero Mesa matter to you]

Tell them about a positive experience you've had at Otero Mesa or an experience you wish you could have.
Or
Why do you think wild places like Otero Mesa are important?
Or
Explain the key role that large areas of habitat have for the wildlife of southern New Mexico and west Texas
Or
The risk of contamination of the Salt Basin aquifer is unacceptable, especially for the miniscule amounts of oil and gas on Otero Mesa

[Step 4 - Here’s the important part - give them something specific to do or several things]

“I respectfully ask that you…”:
• Push for permanent protection of Otero Mesa – especially as a national monument.
• Support national and local programs to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and efficency, which are more sustainable uses of financial resources than supporting new drilling in Otero Mesa.
•Come visit the unique landscape of Otero Mesa so that you can see what a special part of a natural heritage might be lost.

[Step 5 – End your letter, again easy!]

[Use a good closer like:]
Sincerely yours,
Wild about wild places,
Thank you for your time,

[Don’t forget to SIGN your letter]
Jane/John Doe
123 Wilderness Way
Las Cruces, NM 88001