THE PUBLIC LANDS FOUNDATION presents the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association (CARTA) with a Landscape Stewardship Certificate of Appreciation and Citation.  The Foundation grants this recognition to honor private citizens and organizations who work to advance and sustain community-based stewardship on landscapes that include, in whole or in part, public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Candidates for the award include any private citizen or citizen group of the United States who, over the past 1-5 years, has demonstrated sustained outstanding leadership, vision, and purpose in contributing to BLM’s efforts and in motivating other citizens and institutions to work together to more effectively manage whole landscapes, including watersheds, planning or management units, and other land systems upon which people share a common interest.

In her nomination of CARTA and its officers and directors, Linda Rundell, BLM New Mexico State Director, states, “The CARTA has been an invaluable partner to the Bureau of Land Management as we work to preserve and protect the historic sites and landscapes associated with El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail.”

This 1,200-mile colonial road stretches from Mexico City north to Santa Fe, New Mexico and it has been in use for over 300 years as a primary transportation and communication corridor.  The 200-plus members of CARTA were instrumental in gaining National recognition for this road.  And, the CARTA’s officers and directors work tirelessly, on their own time as volunteers, to preserve and protect this Historic Trail landscape and its associated historic sites, and make the Trail story accessible to all members of the public.

Among its many other accomplishments, CARTA helped organize public presentations, community meetings and professional alliances to assist the traditional community of Doña Ana in the preservation of historic streetscapes associated with the Trail.  It helped create a series of eight interpretive sites along the El Paso Riverwalk.  It completed a survey and condition assessment of all the historic markers associated with the Camino Real.  It served as an important partner in land-use planning and landscape preservation on both sides of the shared international border.  It sponsored cross-border colloquia and symposia.  And, it has a board member dedicated to improving international communication.  In 2007 alone, the officers and directors of CARTA donated over 1,800 hours to preservation projects that have led directly to greater stewardship of the Trail’s outstanding resources.

The Public Lands Foundation is pleased to present the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association with this Citation and a Certificate of Appreciation for invaluable contributions to the stewardship of America’s public landscapes.

September 12, 2009