OPINION: Our public lands: Albuquerque best investment in community well-being

The Albuquerque Journal recently asked an important question: What’s the real state of our city? As we enter another mayoral race, candidates will debate crime, housing and economic development. These issues matter deeply. But there’s another measure of a city’s health that often goes overlooked: our connection to the natural world right outside our doors.

Albuquerque is blessed with an extraordinary network of public lands and open spaces in proximity to our neighborhoods and cul-de-sacs. From the Bosque, to Tingley Recreation Area, to the ancient petroglyphs that tell our region’s story, to the urban refuge of Valle de Oro, these areas offer a quiet refuge from city life that improves our quality of life.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been the unsung hero behind many of these spaces. For decades, LWCF has directed revenue from offshore oil and gas drilling toward building parks, trails and recreation areas — all without using taxpayer dollars. Here in Albuquerque, LWCF investments have improved facilities, expanded public access and preserved the natural areas that make our city livable. In 2020, LWCF was fully funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, championed by New Mexico’s entire congressional delegation and signed into law by President Trump, ensuring these investments will continue.

These successes didn’t happen by accident. They required sustained advocacy from dedicated local leaders. Leaders at all levels of government — city, county, state and federal — continue to champion investments in open space and public lands because they understand the value these places bring to our communities.

As candidates outline their visions for Albuquerque, we need them to recognize that public lands and parks aren’t separate from the day-to-day issues residents are facing. They are central to them.

Do people feel safe? Studies show that access to green space reduces crime and increases neighborhood cohesion. Can businesses thrive? Many people who relocate to Albuquerque cite access to outdoor recreation as an important factor in choosing our city. Our public lands attract not just tourists but also talent, entrepreneurs and families looking for a place to build their lives. Do children have a hopeful future? Time in nature is linked to better mental health, improved focus and lifelong wellness habits.

As we evaluate candidates’ plans for Albuquerque’s future, we should ask: Will they continue investing in our existing parks, open spaces, trail infrastructure and outdoor education? Will they support funding for new places? Will they recognize that health care, education and public lands aren’t competing priorities but interconnected pieces of community wellness?

Our public lands are good for Albuquerque. People love them, use them and want more of them. The question for our next mayor and leaders at all levels is simple: Will you invest in the places that make Albuquerque special?

The state of our city isn’t just measured in crime statistics or economic indicators. It’s also measured in the accessibility of a hiking trail, the quality of a neighborhood park and the possibility that a child growing up in Albuquerque can form a lifelong connection to the natural world. I know this because I grew up here, and that connection shaped who I am today. Every child in Albuquerque deserves the same chance.