The Wild Friends Program, a civics education initiative at the School of Law, offers hands-on learning for students in grades 5 to 12 throughout New Mexico. The program educates students on civics and wildlife law by involving them in the democratic process, real-world legislation, and wildlife conservation through science and community action.
This year, students from various parts of the state participated in drafting and advocating for House Memorial 31. This memorial urged state education agencies to include citizen science in their objectives. Students engaged with legislators, testified at committee hearings, wrote letters of support, and played a role in successfully passing House Memorial 31.
In recognition of these efforts, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared April 25, 2025, as Citizen Science Day.
To mark this new observance, Wild Friends students took part in the City Nature Challenge. This global initiative aims to document biodiversity within schoolyards and neighborhoods.
