SOCORRO — The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech will present the 2025 Earth Science Achievement Award for Public Service and Public Policy to New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy. McCarthy has advanced the role of earth science in public policy, and will receive the award during a ceremony in conjunction with Earth Science/New Mexico Tech Day. As State Forester, McCarthy is responsible for forest management on 43 million acres of state and private lands, including wildfire prevention and response, forest health improvement, reforestation, watershed health, and climate change adaptation. Under her leadership, the State Forestry Division has doubled in size, modernized its business systems, and taken on the challenges of postfire recovery and reforestation of burned areas with the year 2100 climate in mind. She is committed to forest health, drawing on her experience as a forester, wildland firefighter, and policy advisor.