Building Trust, Rooted in Land: Asekia’s Outreach in New Mexico Expands Through Community and Legacy

Outreach That Starts with Listening

Over the past two years, Asekia has been quietly laying a strong foundation for forest landowner outreach in New Mexico. Based in Albuquerque, our Southwest Outreach Lead, Adrian Parrott, has dedicated time to learning the landscape—both ecological and human—by connecting with local communities and forging relationships with organizations across the state.

This groundwork recently led to a valuable partnership with the Forest Stewards Guild, an environmental nonprofit headquartered in Santa Fe. The Guild shares Asekia’s commitment to forest stewardship and community engagement. One of its key team members is Luz Salinas, Southwest Project Coordinator, whose work focuses on forested areas in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

Much of Luz’s work highlights the delicate relationship between fire and water—from wildfire risk mitigation to water conservation with forest landowners. Recent wildfires in places like Ruidoso underscore the urgency of her mission.

Albuquerque Foothills, New Mexico

Luz also integrates socioeconomic data into fire risk mapping, helping identify communities where low income may limit landowners’ capacity for forest management. That insight is informing her outreach, including in areas like Cuba, New Mexico, where she and Adrian are engaging directly with underserved populations.

“Luz is an important part of the Guild’s investment in building trust with historically underserved communities,” says Adrian.

That trust takes time, Luz notes. It’s built through consistency, presence, and a deep respect for the lived experiences of the people she serves.

Originally from Venezuela and raised in South Florida, Luz is now completing a master’s degree in forestry. Her appreciation for nature began in childhood and now fuels her efforts to connect with New Mexico’s multigenerational landowners.

“These are people who’ve been on the land for generations,” Luz says. “We’re simply building partnerships that honor their legacy and support their goals—on their terms.”

📬 To learn more about our work in New Mexico, contact info@asekia.org.

Hispanic Forest Landowner Spotlight:  A life shaped by a ‘love of the land’

In our April Landowner Spotlight, Anthony "Tony" Sanchez shares his family’s incredible journey — from settling in the Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico in 1610, to working experimental farms in Puerto Rico, and eventually returning to the American Southwest. 

This month, we are happy to feature a landowner from New Mexico for the first time since we started our Spotlight series! Asekia team member Jessy Zafra visited Anthony “Tony” Sanchez, 85, at his home in Carrizozo, New Mexico, and traveled with Tony to his ranch in Claunch, New Mexico.

Tony’s roots in New Mexico run deep. His family’s connection with the lands of New Mexico dates back more than 400 years – long before New Mexico was part of the U.S. (To read more about the unique history of land grant communities in New Mexico, check out our August 2023 newsletter.)

Over the years, Tony has also seen broader recognition of practices like cattle grazing as a tool for wildfire mitigation. Grazing helps reduce fire-prone vegetation and can be used to create fuel breaks, according to the USDA.  

In the early days of his career in agriculture, Tony farmed in Puerto Rico. 

Now at his second ranch in New Mexico, Tony continues his work in agriculture. 

Tony’s Agricultural Journey

Tony’s career in agriculture eventually led him from the dry hills of New Mexico to central and south America, to the tropical climate of Puerto Rico and back to New Mexico. When he was growing up, Tony didn’t initially think he would carry on his family’s farming legacy. He had seen firsthand how hard it was to coax crops from the ground, especially in the days before modern agricultural machines. 

“ Dad had 200 acres of alfalfa. I swore, ‘I’m never going to farm. It’s too much work,’” he says with a laugh. “That was before tractors and mechanization came in big time.”

Tony’s views on agriculture changed as he got older, and he decided to study agriculture at university. 

“I followed what my ancestors did because I had a love of the land,” he says. 

Throughout his career, Tony trained Peace Corps volunteers in Central and South America, worked on an experimental farm in Puerto Rico that aimed to domesticate a wild yam, and learned from Cuban farmers on the island. After experiencing the devastating effects of hurricanes without access to crop insurance, Tony decided to move back to New Mexico, where he started his first cattle ranch. 

In search of more rainfall, Tony later sold that ranch and moved to his current ranch – creatively named Sanchez Ranchez  – but unfortunately the new location doesn’t get any more rain than the previous one, Tony explains.

Tony, pictured here (right) at Sanchez Ranchez in Claunch, New Mexico,  recommends that those interested in farming try it out first.  

Message to People Interested in Farming 

Drawing on decades of experience in agriculture, Tony’s message to those who want to become farmers is firmly grounded in the challenging realities of this career path, especially in places like New Mexico that have dry climates. 

“The romance of being a rancher…fades very, very fast. It’s tough to make a living,” Tony says. 

He recommends working at a farm for a summer before committing to this path. 

“You’ll be cooked. Then you’ll know if you want to get into agriculture,” Tony adds. 

Message to Farmers

Tony also encourages those who are already farming or ranching. 

“If you’re farming, you’ve already [overcome] obstacles,” Tony says. “Keep doing what you’re doing because you’ve already made it.” 

Watch more landowner Spotlights on our YouTube channel!

Watch here!

This newsletter was written by Courtney Columbus, reviewed by Nolo Martínez, Adrian Parrott, and Jessica Zafra, and produced by Jessica Zafra.