Although small parts of these forests lie in New Mexico, they belong to
forests in Arizona. Apache National Forest touches the northern edge of
the Gila and its attractions are much like those of the latter. The
Coronado National Forest, which is in the extreme southwest corner of
New Mexico, lies in an area of aridity and is difficult to reach from
New Mexico. It is surrounded by Sonoran desert, at least in its
environment in this state.
[Illustration: Gila Hunters with Happy Thanksgiving (_wild
turkeys_)]
These far-flung public lands in New Mexico provide many resources
besides varied kinds of outdoor recreation: timber for industry, water
for city and farm, forage for livestock and wildlife. As long as our
National Forests are protected and developed—used but not abused—they
will continue to yield rich harvests, both tangible and intangible,
forever.
[Illustration: Lake Roberts
This 70-acre lake thirty miles northeast of Silver City on State
Highway 25 lies in the Gila National Forest.]