New Mexico Unidos: Common Ground – Rally to Keep Public Lands in Public Hands

March 7, 2025 from noon – 3 pm at the New Mexico State Capitol

Effective Sign Tips

• Keep it brief: 3-5 words is ideal for quick readability
• Make it bold: Use thick markers and high-contrast colors
• Size matters: Letters should be visible from 20+ feet away
• Weather-proof: Use cardboard or foam board rather than paper, plan for wind!
• Two-sided: Create signs viewable from both front and back

Suggested Materials

• Poster board or foam core (22″ x 28″ works well)
• Cardboard (recycle boxes for an eco-friendly option)
• Thick markers (Sharpies, paint markers)
• Paint and brushes
• Wooden stakes or handles (if desired)
• Clear packing tape (to weatherproof or reinforce)
• Glue, scissors, ruler

Message Ideas

Public Lands Ownership

• “PUBLIC LANDS IN PUBLIC HANDS”
• “OUR LANDS, OUR VOICE”
• “NOT FOR SALE”
• “KEEP PUBLIC LANDS PUBLIC”
• “PUBLIC LANDS = PEOPLE’S LANDS”

Common Ground Theme

• “COMMON GROUND UNITES US”
• “STANDING TOGETHER ON COMMON GROUND”
• “PUBLIC LANDS: OUR COMMON GROUND”
• “UNIDOS FOR PUBLIC LANDS”
• “DEFEND OUR COMMON GROUND”

User-Specific Messages

• “HUNTERS FOR PUBLIC LANDS”
• “CLIMBERS DEFEND PUBLIC LANDS”
• “HIKERS STAND FOR PUBLIC ACCESS”
• “BIKERS NEED PUBLIC TRAILS”
• “I [ACTIVITY] ON PUBLIC LANDS”

Legislative Focus

• “LEGISLATORS: HEAR OUR VOICE”
• “PROTECT WHAT BELONGS TO ALL OF US”
• “PUBLIC LANDS FUEL NM’S ECONOMY”
• “PRIVATIZATION = THEFT”
• “PUBLIC LANDS = NM’S HERITAGE”

Personal Connection

• “I CHERISH _____ [specific place]”
• “MY FAMILY NEEDS PUBLIC LANDS”
• “PUBLIC LANDS = OUR INHERITANCE”
• “GENERATIONS DEPEND ON PUBLIC LANDS”

More Messages

• “PRIVATIZERS: KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR LANDS”
• “NOT YOURS TO SELL”
• “PEOPLE OVER PROFIT”
• “ONCE PRIVATE, FOREVER LOST”
• “YOUR GREED ≠ OUR NEED”
• “KEEP IT WILD”

Design Tips

• Use New Mexico’s state colors (red and yellow) for local connection
• Consider using simple outdoor symbols (mountains, trees, etc.)
• Draw outdoor gear that represents your connection (boots, bike, etc.)
• Make your sign weather-resistant with clear tape over markers
• Create a handle by reinforcing the bottom with extra cardboard

Visual Examples:

Remember

Your sign represents your unique connection to public lands. It’s most powerful when it tells your personal story while connecting to our common cause. No artistic skills required – just your authentic voice for protecting public lands!

Provided by New Mexico Wild for the March 7, 2025 Public Lands Rally