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SENATE MEMORIAL 13
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING EXPANSION OF THE USE OF CITIZEN SCIENCE BY STATE
AGENCIES AND REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A "CITIZEN
SCIENCE DAY".
WHEREAS, New Mexico is a beautiful state that is rich in
natural resources and filled with individuals who take great
pride in the state's environment; and
WHEREAS, state agencies manage nearly fifty-three million
acres of land but lack the resources to fully monitor this
land; as one student stated, "learning about and caring for the
environment is not a one-person job, and state agencies can't
do it by themselves"; and
WHEREAS, citizen science is a collaboration among
community members, state government and the scientists who
manage the state's public lands in which citizens volunteer to
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help collect data about plants, animals, air quality and water
quality; as one student said, "bat surveys are what I like to
do. I like bats", and another student said, "I would like to
work on a citizen science [project] about the impact that
runoff water has on soil"; and
WHEREAS, citizen science can provide valuable data while
fostering scientific literacy and community engagement,
ensuring that the state thrives through future generations of
environmental stewards; as one student succinctly stated,
"citizen science can take place anywhere and anytime and anyone
can do it"; and
WHEREAS, citizen science can engage the youth, provide
exposure to a variety of science-based careers and expand STEM-
based education opportunities; as several students said,
"everyday people like me can do science" and be "fabulous
citizen scientists", and "citizen science can aid children who
want to pursue science as a career"; and
WHEREAS, in the 2024 legislative session, the house of
representatives passed House Memorial 34, which requested
several state agencies to create a working group to develop
recommendations for expanding the use of citizen science in New
Mexico, and this working group prepared a report and is taking
steps to integrate citizen science into state agencies; and
WHEREAS, encouraging other state agencies to use citizen
science can help more people, especially the youth, to become
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aware, involved and concerned about real world issues and help
time-constrained scientists to collect data; as one student
said, "this means a lot of kids can be scientists and can help
with research", while another student said, "kids are extra
curious"; and
WHEREAS, establishing a "Citizen Science Day" will help
educate other state agencies and the public about the benefits
of citizen science;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE
OF NEW MEXICO that the senate recognize the importance of
citizen science and its role in engaging the youth and the
public in science and the outdoors and assisting state agencies
in collecting valuable data that are otherwise difficult to
collect; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to
declare a "Citizen Science Day" and recognize the many New
Mexico residents and projects that have made significant
contributions to citizen science across this state and many
more; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education
department, the New Mexico outdoor recreation division of the
economic development department, the higher education
department and the New Mexico department of agriculture be
requested to review the working group report titled
"Recommendations to Expand the Use of Citizen Science in State
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Agencies in New Mexico" and provide recommendations to
integrate citizen science, especially for the youth, into the
agencies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the public education department, the New Mexico
outdoor recreation division of the economic development
department, the higher education department and the New Mexico
department of agriculture for appropriate distribution.
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