State Forester
Butch Blazer

"The partnerships we’ve been able to craft with our local, federal and tribal governments continue to build strong collaborative efforts that are effectively addressing the forest and watershed health issues that face our State. These efforts work to serve New Mexico landowners as well as reinforce the value of our natural resources to the benefit of our future generations. It is my hope that the example we are setting now will foster continued stewardship of our land and teach the importance of our actions upon the environment." –

Arthur “Butch” Blazer serves as the Director of the Forestry Division of the State of New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. A member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and a graduate of New Mexico State University, B.S. ‘75, Butch is the first Native American to have been appointed as “State Forester” for New Mexico.

Blazer brings to NM State Government a rich natural resources background, stemming from more than 25 years of experience in working with federal and tribal natural resources management programs across the country.

In September 2009, Blazer was named as Chair of the Council of Western State Foresters, an organization that fosters forest management assistance to landowners, managing state trust lands and supplying wildfire and forest health protection services. Additionally, he has been named Co-Chair for the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition, which promotes science based forest management that serves the values of society and ensures the health and sustainability of western forests

Blazer is also the Chairman of the Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission and serves on the board of directors for the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. 

An avid outdoors man when he can get to it, Blazer enjoys hunting, skiing and just “hiding-out” in the vast wilderness of his beautiful Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Contact State Forestry at: (505) 476-3325 or Daniel.Ware@state.nm.us