October, 2003: Governor Richardson feeds Verbena, an orphaned mule deer fawn, with Wild Friends' able assistance. Verbena's mother was hit and killed by a motor vehicle.

Governor Richardson proclaims October 29th, 2003 "Brake for Wildlife Day." The Message is slow down and enjoy the scenery, to avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Participants, from left to right:

Rebecca Montoya, Adjutant Secretary, NM Dept. of Transportation
Dr. Bruce Thompson, Director, NM Department of Game and Fish
Governor Bill Richardson
Keith Perry, Deputy Director, NM Motor Vehicle Division
Rhonda Faught, Secretary of Transportation
Renee Rice-McClure, Wildlife West, with Verbena, mule deer fawn orphaned by wildlife-vehicle collision
(in front: two Wild Friends students, unidentified)

Students, from left to right:

Audrey Forrest, Madison Middle School
Anne Schuster, Madison MS
Governor Bill Richardson
Shakara Lucero, Jefferson MS
Brenda Nunez, Highland High School
Lance Garcia, Highland HS

Wild Friends Student-Initiated Legislation

• 2008 Memorial to Expand State Capitol Recycling Passed! Wild Friends went to work on recycling as their 2008 legislative topic and helped pass Senate Joint Memorial 20. Congratulations!
  
  
• 2007 Memorial to make New Mexico an Energy Conservation Leader Passed! House Memorial 64 lays out ways that state government and citizens can save energy to help slow the effects of climate change.
  
  
• 2006 Bill to Ban Computer Hunting Passed! New Mexico is now one of 21 states to ban the practice of hunting animals with computers. Confused? Read New Mexico's new ban on computer assisted hunting in Bill 157
  

• 2005 Bill to study increasing penalties for killing game did not pass. House Joint Memorial 18: We didn't quite make it this year but we shall return.
  
  
• 2004 Wildlife Crossing Memorial: The House Joint Memorial 21 --We almost squeaked through-- we came so close! 2004 House Joint Memorial 21 -- made it all the way to the final vote but time ran out and the legislature had to adjourn before the last vote could be taken
  
  
• 2003 State Butterfly-- Congratulations Wild Friends, it passed!  The Hairstreak is now our State Butterfly!
  
  
• 2003 Memorial to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle accidents: Thanks for House Joint Memorial 3.
  
  
• Read Other Student-Initiated Legislation over the last 11 years
  • In 2002, the Butterfly Memorial
  • In 2001, the Wildlife Violator Compact Bill
  • In 2000, Wildlife Violator Compact Memorial (English, Spanish)
  • In 1999, the Wild Animal Cruelty Prevention Memorial.
  • In 1998, the State Whooping Crane Day. 
  • In 1997, the Anti-poaching Bill
  • In 1996, the Anti-Poaching Memorial. 
  • In 1995, the Common Ground Memorial