Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) is "bringing it" to this year’s State Fair running now through September 21, 2014, at the Bob Gerding Natural Resources Building on Main Street.

"Historically, EMNRD has had a strong presence at the State Fair and this year is no exception," said Cabinet Secretary David Martin. "Our job is to promote and protect New Mexico’s natural resources and we hope fairgoers visit our exhibits and come away with greater knowledge of what we do."

Visit the following exhibits in the Bob Gerding Natural Resources Building:

New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division:

The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division’s (MMD) Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program features an exhibit designed to allow the public to get a feel for the dangers of being inside an abandoned mine. The exhibit provides important abandoned mine information and allows the public to participate in a touch screen quiz. It is also equipped with a sensory system to trigger the sound of falling rocks when a fairgoer steps too close to a shaft photo on the floor.

Nothing of value is left in abandoned mines - that is why they were abandoned. It is vital to know about abandoned mine dangers of not only the environmental and health variety, but also the very real possibility of personal injury and death. This exhibit is designed to alert the public, particularly the young and young adults, to the dangers of abandoned mines. Statistics show that more accidents and fatalities in abandoned mines involve high school-aged and college-aged students.

The Abandoned Mine Land Program is a federally funded state program whose mission is to safeguard and reclaim pre-1977 mining-related disturbances. There are approximately 15,000 abandoned mines in New Mexico. Since its inception AML has closed or safeguarded more than 3,100 hazardous mine features in the state.

New Mexico State Parks Division:

Which New Mexico State Park has your next adventure? Park Rangers and personnel will be on hand to answer questions about any of our 35 State Parks throughout the State.

We know lifejackets save lives! The New Mexico State Parks Division’s Boating Safety, Education, and Enforcement Program will again have interactive exhibits this year. The exhibit area will provide a lifejacket display with demonstrations on inflatable lifejackets and provide free lifejacket fittings for children. The emphasis of these exhibits will be focused on increasing child safety on and near the water through the use of a lifejackets.

State Parks is New Mexico True! Join us on Main Street for Tourism Day at the fair on Thursday, September 18th. You, too, can be a Park Ranger! State Parks will be outside on Main Street on Tuesday, September 16th for Career Day/Environment Day. We’ll have experts available to answer questions about the dynamic career opportunities with New Mexico State Parks.

New Mexico State Forestry:

The New Mexico State Forestry Division will once again be selling conservation tree seedlings at their exhibit booth in the Bob Gerding Natural Resources Building. This popular fair program features native, well established trees and shrubs that are first-come, first-served and will be available from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

State Forestry will also be presenting information on wildfire preparedness and prevention, woody biomass utilization and other Division programs that benefit private landowners.

Bring it in for a Birthday Hug! On Friday, September 19th, at 10:45 a.m., join us in celebrating Smokey Bear’s 70th Birthday. A proclamation signed by Governor Martinez will be read, officially declaring September 19th as Smokey Bear Day across New Mexico and fairgoers will be invited to sing Happy Birthday to Smokey. Cake with be served on a first come, first served basis.

State Forestry will also celebrate Firefighter’s Day at the fair on Friday, September 19th by displaying a Division fire engine outside the Natural Resources building.

Energy, Conservation and Management Division:

The Energy Conservation and Management Division (ECMD) develops and implements effective clean energy programs – renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, clean fuels and efficient transportation – to promote environmental and economic sustainability for New Mexico and its citizens.

Stop by the ECMD booth in the Natural Resources Building to experiment with the latest LED lights! These lights now cost less than ever; they can reduce your electric bill dramatically, last more than 20 years, and provide awesome light quality. You can measure the electricity footprint of a variety of lights (LEDs, CFLs, and incandescent lights) in watts and compare qualities.

New Mexico’s rich resources of wind and sun are being harnessed to generate electricity; come learn about where the development is taking place throughout New Mexico. These electricity sources are clean, require no fuel once they are built, and provide New Mexico with energy security.

Have you tried biking, ridesharing or transit? Share your experience and learn more about these multi-modal options at the ECMD booth. Traveling smart can improve your health while helping to protect our wonderful natural resources.