Inventory crew; from left to right, back row: Ron Parry, Alison Boyd, Jeff Boyd, Nathan Newcomer, Miguel Schulte, Sean McRae, John Conway; middle row: Dennis Switzer, Lisa Fields, Carol Martin, Sarah Simmons, Rachel Zollinger; front row: Liam Claus, Richard Martin, Richard Mahler, Steve Martlett. Another member of the crew, Sonnie Sussillo, took the photograph.At the meeting of the Gila Native Plant Society on Friday, October 20, 2017, Nathan Newcomer will present a program entitled "Protecting Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers in the Gila National Forest". The Gila National Forest is currently undergoing a plan revision, something that hasn't happened in 30 years. As a part of the plan revision, the Forest Service is required to look at recommending areas for Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River designation. For the past four years, Nathan and a team of dedicated volunteers have been out on the ground conducting inventories of these lands and waters that they believe qualify for protection. Come learn about some of the wildest places left in the Gila, and ways that you can get involved.

Photo of Upper San Francisco Box; from left to right: Nathan Newcomer, Richard Martin, John Conway. The other member of this excursion, Miguel Schulte, took the photograph.Photo of the Lower San Francisco River Canyon, looking east towards the Gila Wilderness. Photo credit: Nathan NewcomerPhoto of the Middle Fork of the Gila River in the Gila Wilderness, in a place called The Meadows. Photo credit: Nathan NewcomerNathan is a fifth generation New Mexican with 15 years of experience working on wilderness campaigns in the state of New Mexico. He has been a grassroots organizer, media director, and associate director at NM Wild, having first joined the organization in 2002. Since moving to Silver City in 2013, he has been responsible for coordinating and organizing efforts to protect wild places and rivers in the Gila National Forest.

Meetings of the Gila Native Plant Society are held the third Friday of the month at 7.00 p.m. in Harlan Hall, second floor, Room 219, corner of Alabama and 12th Streets, on the Western New Mexico University campus. Free and open to the public. Refreshments following the program.

The Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promoting education, research and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest, encouraging the preservation of rare and endangered plant species and supporting the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. For information on programs, publications and membership, please visit www.gilanps.org.