Senate Memorial 13 requests the expansion of citizen science initiatives by state agencies in New Mexico and calls for the governor to declare a "Citizen Science Day." The memorial highlights the importance of citizen science as a collaborative effort that engages community members in collecting valuable data related to the environment, thereby fostering scientific literacy and community involvement. It emphasizes the potential of citizen science to involve youth in environmental stewardship and expose them to science-based careers, while also addressing the resource limitations faced by state agencies in monitoring public lands.
Additionally, the memorial acknowledges the previous efforts made during the 2024 legislative session, where a working group was established to develop recommendations for integrating citizen science into state agencies. It requests that specific departments, including the public education department and the New Mexico outdoor recreation division, review the working group's report and provide recommendations for incorporating citizen science, particularly for youth engagement. The resolution aims to recognize the contributions of New Mexico residents to citizen science and promote its benefits across the state.