Weems 2013 was a great success! The volunteers talked to many people on the merits of prairie dogs and we made over $1100 in sales and donations. Many thanks to all those who volunteered or who helped the prairie dogs by donating or purchasing merchandise. Remember Christmas is coming and time to stock up on prairie dog swag! Woo Hoo
TrapFree New Mexico needs YOUR help!
Dear Supporters of a TrapFree New Mexico,
You may have seen this article on the front page of the Albuquerque Journal yesterday http://www.abqjournal.com/299377/news/dog-caught-in-trap-for-coyotes.html about a hiker’s dog being caught in a leghold trap on a popular trail in the Sandia foothills. It is true, fur trapping season started on November 1 and won’t end until March 15. That is 4.5 months that these devices will be out on our public lands placing all of us and our canine companions at risk. Coyotes can be trapped all year long.
I’m writing to ask you not to just get angry but to take action! Please send a letter to the editor of the ABQ Journal and voice your protest that these traps can be set on public land. Many people are not even aware that leaving a steel jawed leghold trap un-marked and unattended where others can be harmed is even legal. If the paper gets a large number of letters, it is more likely they will print some keeping the issue at the forefront and hopefully letting other people know.
It should be short, 100-150 words is best, and can be sent online here: http://www.abqjournal.com/letters/new
Please use your own words, but here are some talking points:
· The presence of traps can have a chilling effect on the ability of outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite places.
· A trapped dog can become dangerous so people trying to help can be bitten. Traps can be difficult to remove even if you know how they work.
· When dogs are caught, we can see the cruelty, pain and suffering that traps inflict which wildlife must also endure only to be brutally killed when the trapper arrives. Killing a helplessly trapped animal is usually done by gunshot, strangulation, or bludgeoning. It is violence at close range.
· Resident trappers only pay $20 to trap an unlimited number of bobcats, foxes, and other animals that have fur which they then sell for profit. They are privatizing the public’s wildlife for a pittance.
· Traps cannot choose on whose leg they slam shut. Besides our dogs, victims can include birds, squirrels, deer and other protected species and even endangered ones; wildlife that would be illegal to otherwise harm.
You can also visit http://trapfreenm.org/ for more
Thank you for taking action and speaking out.
Sincerely,
Mary Katherine Ray
For TrapFree NM
PS. Please let us know if you are a trap victim. We are collecting your stories here: http://trapfreenm.org/learn-more-stories-comments.php
We invite you to also join our community on Facebook with a ‘like’. https://www.facebook.com/trapfreenm
Lobos Need You in ABQ November 20!
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to strip gray wolves’ endangered species protections and make other changes that threaten the survival and recovery of Mexican gray wolves.
Fifteen years after they were reintroduced, only 75 Mexican gray wolves remain in the wild, and they have undergone dangerous genetic deterioration due to government and private shooting and trapping, along with a freeze on wolf releases to the wild. 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) now proposes changes to Mexican wolf management —two good changes and many more that will worsen the lobo’s already-tenuous plight.
The FWS will hold a public hearing on its proposal on Wednesday, November 20 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They must listen to all those speaking up for and against the lobo.
Read more at: Lobos
Meetings watch: Clovis City Commission
The Clovis City Commission will meet 5:15 p.m. Thursday at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library.
The agenda includes:
• A request to relocate prairie dogs on city land to Ector County, Texas, and use of water to help facilitate that animals’ removal from the ground.
Citizens for Prairie Dogs has twice sought city clearance to move the animals from Goodwin Lake, Ned Houk Park and O.G. Potter Park. The first time, Chaves County officials voiced opposition and the city commission voted the item down. The commission gave conditional approval to a move to Mitchell County, Texas, but Mitchell County officials made it clear the animals were not welcome there either.
Weem’s Artfest: November 15, 16 & 17
What began as a local small arts and crafts fair 30 years ago has blossomed in to New Mexico’s most prestigious and exciting international event featuring over 279 artisans.
Weems Artfest has become a nationally recognized juried art event for the knowledgeable art collector. The art novice who has a thirst and desire to begin their art collection will also find Artfest a haven because of its wide range of prices and variety, as well as an emphasis on high quality. The festival’s commitment is to exhibit new talent along with showcasing the country’s finest in a very relaxed and non-intimidating arena. Artfest offers educational activities for children and adults through Children’s ArtSMart, artist’s demonstrations, Student Art Booths, and the inclusion of Albuquerque museums and various state and city philanthropic organizations. Weems Artfest is truly a New Mexico Tradition.
We’ll be tabling for the 3 days and would appreciate you visiting, saying hello, buying, or volunteering.
Read more at: Weems Artfest