Aubrey Dunn, Commissioner of Public Lands

Aubrey Dunn, Commissioner of Public Lands

State of New Mexico

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Emily Strickler, Assistant Commissioner for Communications

(505) 827-3650 -office

(505) 827-5760 - front office

The New Mexico State Land Office is in the Classroom

Santa Fe, NM (September 10, 2015) – TheNew Mexico State Land Office works for education. About 94% of the revenue earnedfrom productive lands goes to support public schools, special schools and universities.The State Land Office also works directly with schools and other interested groups through several education programs.Events, seminars, and other activities are designed to raise public awareness about trust land programs and land conservation issues.

This year “The New Mexico State Land Office is in the Classroom”. Commissioner of Public Lands Aubrey Dunn wants to help educate New Mexico’s children to develop an understanding of what the State Land Office does and how it benefits New Mexico’s public education. In efforts to help accomplish this goal the SLO is holding a bookmark competition for all New Mexican 4th grade students. The contest is designed to help students learn about oil, gas and mineral resources, forest and watersheds, wind and solar energy, agricultural and recreational resources on State Trust Lands in New Mexico.

There will be a total of 5 winners. The winning student in each category will win a Kindle Fire donated by Yates Petroleum and their bookmark will be published and distributed at the 2016 New Mexico State Fair.

On top of all that - the winning student’s class gets a pizza party with Commissioner Aubrey Dunn. Commissioner Dunn will talk about state trust land, how revenue is generated, and how money flows to public schools and universities. Students will be given a lesson about natural resources, and they learn the difference between non-renewable and renewable resources. All this important education enjoyed over a slice of pizza!

CONTEST RULES:

• Contest is open to all New Mexico 4th grade students.
• Entries must be dropped off or post marked by October 1, 2015 to be eligible for the contest.
• Only one entry per student.
• Entries must be submitted on the designated entry form template.
• Bookmark submission can only be entered into one category.

CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

• OIL, GAS AND MINERAL RESOURCES
• WIND ENERGY/ SOLAR ENERGY
• RECREATIONAL
• AGRICULTURAL
• FOREST AND WATERSHEDS

The State Land Office provides the rules, entry form and much more on the SLO website. You can download a coloring book with lessons that include all the categories listed above.

Please go to the New Mexico State Land Office website:

For questions: Contact NMSLO, Stephanie LeMaster at 505.827-5761 or

Also, if you are going to the New Mexico State Fair go visit the State Land Office boothfor information on the contest, receive entry forms, and giveaway coloring books and bookmark rulers. The booth is located in the Natural Resources Center and the NM State Fair Begins today, September 10th!

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