A homegrown effort to help nature heal in northern New Mexico has just been recognized on the world stage. The Flower Path Pollinator Initiative, led by Indigenous community members, has been selected by the National Geographic Society as one of only 12 projects across the globe to join its prestigious Preserving Legacies Program.
The project, based in the mountains of northern New Mexico, is working to restore land damaged by wildfires by planting native flowers and creating safe spaces for pollinators like bees and butterflies. The selection is a major honor for the team—and for New Mexico—as only two U.S. projects were chosen this year.
“This is about healing,” said Melanie Kirby, founder of The Flower Path. “We want to take care of the land, and we want the land to take care of us, too.
Restoring What Was Lost
After years of devastating wildfires, the Flower Path team is focused on bringing back native plants that pollinators depend on for survival. These plants also help rebuild healthy ecosystems for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
The team collects seeds from traditional plants and grows them with care, helping to reintroduce them into damaged areas. With new support from the National Geographic Society, the initiative will soon launch the Land of Enchantment Pollinator Preserve—a sanctuary where seeds can be grown, protected, and shared with other communities across the state.
“It’s like a living seed bank,” said team member Addelina Lucero, who also helps teach youth about ecology and traditional knowledge. “We learn from the land and from our elders. Now we are learning how to protect it for the future.”
Leading the Way
New Mexico’s Flower Path is now part of a global network of projects dedicated to preserving culture and biodiversity in the face of climate change. The work of The Flower Path shows how small, local actions—like planting wildflowers or collecting native seeds—can have a big impact.
“Even small actions, like planting seeds, can help protect our world,” said Victoria Herrmann, director of the Preserving Legacies Program and the National Geographic Explorer. “The Flower Path is a shining example of that.”
With warmer temperatures, more fires, and less rainfall threatening the Southwest, the team believes that community-led action is more important than ever. And with the support of a global organization like National Geographic, they hope to expand their work, engage more youth, and inspire other regions to do the same.
As flowers bloom and bees buzz along the mountain trails of northern New Mexico, The Flower Path Pollinator Initiative reminds us that even after destruction, new life can grow—with care, tradition, and a whole lot of heart.
