Community Matters: Environment & Land Stewardship
Mark Allison, New Mexico Wild
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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On this episode of Community Matters, host Sandra Session-Robertson speaks with Mark Allison, Executive Director of New Mexico Wild, about the importance of protecting New Mexico’s public lands and waters. From the role these shared landscapes play in our culture, economy, and quality of life to threats like climate change, federal policy shifts, impacts to Chaco Canyon, and the proposed Terrero Mine in the Upper Pecos watershed, they explore what’s at stake — and how community members can take action to help protect the places that define northern New Mexico.
New Mexico Wild is an independent grassroots organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and continued enjoyment of New Mexico's wildlands and waters. They focus on permanent protection of wild public lands, water, and wildlife through educational outreach, grassroots organizing, and building broad community support.
Mark Allison has over thirty years of professional experience working with social-profit nongovernmental organizations in leadership positions. Before joining New Mexico Wild, Mark founded and served as executive director of the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico, which developed permanent affordable housing for persons experiencing homelessness. Mark’s projects earned national recognition for modeling award winning sustainable “green” design. He has served on numerous local, regional, and national boards of directors, including serving as Chair of the Board of the DC-based National Low Income Housing Coalition. Mark has demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational development, management, and fundraising and is adept at partnerships and coalition building. Mark joined New Mexico Wild as executive director in 2013 and has been proud to lead a growing team that has helped secure numerous new protections for New Mexico’s land, waters, and wildlife. Mark earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from Illinois State University.
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About Community Matters
Our monthly radio show invites subject experts and community leaders to talk about the challenges and inequities our region faces and possible solutions that could contribute to its growth. Hosted by Santa Fe Community Foundation staff, Community Matters airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM on KSFR (101.1 FM). Listen to past episodes here.
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