Plan aims to restore northern preserve

VALLES CALDERA, N.M. (AP) - Green pastures stretch for miles into the distance, and sturdy ponderosa pine, spruce and fir trees cover the surrounding mountain tops.

The 89,000-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico is a sight to behold, but its caretakers say the property's forests, grasslands and wetlands are not as healthy as they should be. In fact, the natural resources coordinator for the Valles Caldera Trust says the preserve's forests are simply "out of wack."

Trustees, along with help from others, have developed a 10-year plan that aims to get the caldera back into shape by using everything from prescribed fire and tree thinning to weed control and wetland restoration.

The public has until the end of September to comment on the plan.

More information http://www.vallescaldera.gov/