The Village of Jemez Springs is almost completely surrounded by the Valley of the Spirit Ranch, which has hindered the public’s access to adjacent forest lands. Courtesy/USDA Forest Service

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Nestled between spires of volcanic tuff and red rock mesas in the Jemez River Valley, the private property that surrounds the Village of Jemez Springs will become part of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) in one of the largest acquisitions in the forest’s history.

Known as the Valley of the Spirit Ranch, the two parcels of land on both sides of the Jemez River will not only add 2,012 acres rich in natural and cultural resources to the SFNF but will expand public access to areas of the forest that are difficult to reach.

The acquisition was made possible by the 2020 passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which included the permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF provides money to federal, state and local governments to purchase land, water and wetlands for the benefit of the American public.

“The Forest Service’s acquisition of this incredible landscape near Jemez Springs adds immeasurably to one of New Mexico’s most valued places,” Sen. Martin Heinrich said. “Protecting this land ensures public access to outstanding outdoor recreation, contributes to the important tourism economy of New Mexico and preserves cultural sites of great significance to the valley’s Tribal and Hispanic heritage. This is exactly why I led the effort to pass the Great American Outdoors Act, which included the permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land Water Conservation Fund.”

Sen. Heinrich was instrumental in securing the LWCF funding for the acquisition.

The acquisition of the Valley of the Spirit property also received strong support from the Pueblo of Jemez and the Village of Jemez Springs.

“I thank the United States Forest Service and its work with the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase the Valley of the Spirit Ranch,” Pueblo of Jemez Gov. Michael Toledo, Jr., said. “This is a great opportunity for the Pueblo of Jemez to work together with the United States Forest Service to protect and conserve the natural and cultural resources in the Jemez Ancestral Homeland.”

“The Village of Jemez Springs is an island within the Valley of the Spirit Ranch. We have dreamed for a very long time that this privately owned parcel could become public land. And now it’s no longer a dream but a reality,” Jemez Springs Mayor Roger Sweet said. “The purchase of this large parcel of land will protect our village from future unwanted development, boost our economy by opening up more recreation opportunities and preserve a stunning landscape.”

The two parcels of land that comprise the Valley of the Spirit property are within the congressionally designated Jemez National Recreation Area and have legal access from NM Highway 4. The property has a number of hiking trails through its unique geologic features as well as an undeveloped hot spring and one of the largest peregrine falcon nesting areas on the SFNF.

The Valley of the Spirit Ranch is also part of the Jemez River watershed, an important riparian ecosystem that supports wildlife habitat and provides clean water to downstream communities, including Jemez Springs, Pueblo of Jemez, San Ysidro and Zia Pueblo.

In addition to the peregrine falcon, other threatened and endangered species that rely on habitat within the Valley of the Spirit property include the Mexican spotted owl, the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, the Rio Grande chub and the Rio Grande sucker.

“The Great American Outdoors Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund together gave us the opportunity to conserve and protect more than 2,000 acres of land adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest in perpetuity for the benefit of the American people,” Forest Supervisor Debbie Cress said. “Our commitment to shared stewardship with our partners, including the Pueblo of Jemez and the Village of Jemez Springs, will allow visitors and residents alike to enjoy all that this beautiful landscape has to offer.”

A network of trails contributes to the high recreation potential of the property. Courtesy/USDA Forest Service