Students urge official 'Citizen Science' day; Senate Rules gives memorial unanimous due pass

Fifth‑grade students from Wild Friends and Monte Vista Elementary told the Senate Rules Committee they want the Legislature to recognize citizen science and establish an official Citizen Science Day. The committee gave the memorial (SM 13) a unanimous due pass after students explained how citizen science programs let the public collect data for professional scientists with no fiscal cost to the state.

Students described classroom projects such as collecting data from a school garden and uploading observations to Nature's Notebook. "Citizen science can be helpful because students across New Mexico can help government agencies like the Department of Game and Fish by collecting data that will help protect natural resources," one student said. Another added, "The memorial will cost nothing and can help students get involved in protecting our environment."

Senators praised the students’ presentations and preparation. Committee members noted the students had worked with legislators in advance and had drafted the memorial collaboratively. Lawmakers asked questions about local species; one senator asked, "What is a dark‑eyed junco?" and a student replied with a brief description of the bird’s coloring.

Committee members moved and approved a due‑pass recommendation to the full Senate; a roll call taken at the chair’s request recorded unanimous support. The committee did not attach budgetary requirements to the memorial and supporters told legislators the proposal was designed to cost nothing.

SM 13 now moves forward with a due‑pass recommendation; as a memorial it requests legislative recognition and does not by itself create binding law or spending.