SENATE MEMORIAL 62

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph Cervantes

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING TED TURNER AND THE TURNER FOUNDATION FOR THEIR VISION, GENEROSITY AND STEWARDSHIP OF NEW MEXICO'S LANDS AND WILDLIFE.

 

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's Ted Turner is the state's largest private landowner, owning more than one million one hundred thousand acres in the state; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner has acquired sixteen ranches in six western states totaling one million eighty-five thousand acres; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner has converted his historic ranches into nature reserves and opened his New Mexico properties to the public because he wishes to share his love of nature and discovery; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner's appreciation for nature runs deep, compelling him to work tirelessly, giving millions of dollars through his charitable foundations to improve air and water quality, develop a sustainable energy future to protect the climate, safeguard environmental health and protect wildlife and habitats to maintain biodiversity; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner's many titles are as diverse and impressive as his renowned legacy itself: founder of a cable news network, professional sports team owner, sailing champion, restaurateur, philanthropist and conservationist, just to name a few; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner's reserves collaborate with the important environmental preservation and wildlife restoration projects funded by the Turner foundation and the Turner endangered species fund; and

     WHEREAS, Vermejo reserve is located in northern New Mexico and features snowcapped alpine tundra, nineteen fishable lakes and more than five hundred fifty thousand stunning acres of picturesque lands; and

     WHEREAS, Sierra Grande lodge and spa, in Truth or Consequences, is a serene hotel resting on mineral-rich geothermal springs where the legendary healing traditions first established by the region's Native Americans are honored; and

     WHEREAS, Ladder ranch, nestled in a natural oasis situated by four Rio Grande tributaries, is located at Caballo and surrounded by sweeping landscapes; and

     WHEREAS, Armendaris ranch, located in south central New Mexico, embraces three hundred sixty thousand acres located in the Chihuahuan desert; and

     WHEREAS, the Turner ranches strive to balance ranching commerce with conservation, and with the preservation of land and native species; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner has also committed himself and his resources to restoration of the bison populations in the Americas; and

     WHEREAS, the Turner herd of American bison now totals over fifty thousand head and is the largest private bison herd in the world; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner has worked to restore populations of endangered species such as the Boston tortoise, Chiricahua leopard frog, Rio Grande cutthroat trout, bighorn sheep, Mexican grey wolf and others on his New Mexico properties; and

     WHEREAS, sustainable tourism best practices are upheld throughout the Turner properties; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner hopes that those visiting his properties will develop a deeper appreciation for, and awareness of, what the earth has to offer and, just as importantly, a shared responsibility for the well-being of the environment; and

     WHEREAS, since the branding of Ted Turner reserves in 2019, this hospitality organization has contributed more than two million eight hundred thousand dollars ($2,800,000) in tax revenues to the state; and

     WHEREAS, the Turner foundation welcomes numerous student groups from across the state to the reserves to engage with biologists and guides for hands-on learning opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, the Turner foundation has contributed nearly one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) in grants to various youth, conservation and education organizations in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the Turner foundation will continue to reinvest in the area by developing Ted Turner reserves' infrastructure within New Mexico, such as a recent central reservations office that supports all of the guest properties; and

     WHEREAS, as stewards of spectacular and biodiverse lands, the passion of the people at Ted Turner reserves is to share the transformative power of nature with guests through authentic and meaningful experiences at the unique wilderness properties; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner is committed to restoring, sharing and safeguarding America's wild places for future generations while providing an inspiring guest experience that showcases the planet's national treasures; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner embodies the mission statement of Ted Turner reserves: "connecting people with nature"; and

     WHEREAS, Ted Turner's commitment to New Mexico's lands and wildlife species has passed to his children and grandchildren to ensure that his commitment to New Mexico and throughout the west survives and thrives;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Ted Turner and the Turner foundation be recognized for their vision, generosity and stewardship of New Mexico's lands and wildlife; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to Ted Turner and the Turner foundation.

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