House Memorial 31 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 between community members, state government, and scientists, which allows citizens to volunteer in data collection related to environmental factors such as plants, animals, and air and water quality. This initiative aims to foster scientific literacy, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, particularly among the youth, while also assisting state agencies in gathering valuable data.
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 several state 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 into their programs, especially for youth engagement. The resolution emphasizes the significance of citizen science in promoting awareness and involvement in environmental issues among New Mexicans.