The Bureau of Land Management will begin selling Christmas tree permits in New Mexico on Nov. 24.

Permits will be available at the Farmington, Taos, Socorro and Rio Puerco field offices, as well as at the New Mexico State Office, according to a community announcement. The permits must be purchased before Dec. 24 and cost $5 per tree.

Permits and maps can be obtained over the counter at local BLM offices or, for some locations, online at https://forestproducts.blm.gov. If purchasing online, buyers must have access to a printer to print the permit and map.

When transporting a tree taken from BLM public land, the haul tag provided with the permit must be attached to the tree.

The BLM has developed georeferenced maps compatible with any georeferenced map mobile application. Those with a smartphone can download a map before heading out to harvest a tree by visiting the BLM website.

Before visiting a local BLM office to obtain a permit, it is recommended to call the office to confirm services and staff availability. The locations where permits may be available include:

• Rio Puerco Field Office, 100 Sun Ave., NE, Suite 330, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-8700
• Socorro Field Office, 901 S. Old U.S. Hwy 85, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-0412
• New Mexico State Office, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508, (505) 954-2000
• Farmington Field Office, 6251 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402, (505) 564-7600
• Taos Field Office, 1024 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571-5983, (575) 758-8851

For more information about Christmas tree permits, contact the local BLM office or the BLM New Mexico State Office at 505-954-2222.

This story was created by reporter Andy Dossett, ADossett@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

New Mexico football coach Jason Eck has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep him with the Lobos until 2030, the school announced Sunday.

In his first regular season as head coach, Eck took the Lobos to a 9-3 record — the program’s best mark since 1982 and only the fourth time they have won nine games since 1997.

Eck’s new deal includes an increase in average salary to $1.75 million from $1.25 million, sources told ESPN.

A former Wisconsin offensive lineman, Eck spent three seasons as head coach at Idaho where he went 26-13 before being hired by the Lobos last December.

New Mexico’s nine-win season and 6-2 record in the Mountain West earned them a tie for first place in the conference. But the conference’s tiebreaker (based on a composite average of nationally recognized metrics: Connelly SP+, ESPN SOR, KPI and SportSource rankings) determined that Boise State and UNLV would face each other in the title game.

If Eck can lead the Lobos to a bowl win, however, it will be the first 10-win season the program has had in 43 years.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The holiday shopping season is underway, with thousands of New Mexicans visiting local businesses Saturday.

Last night, Winrock hosted a tree lighting ceremony, transforming their shopping center. Today, shoppers enjoyed treats from food vendors and photos with Santa.

Unlike major retailers, small businesses rely on a few peak weekends with high foot traffic. Organizers say the Artisan Market, happening this weekend, attracts thousands each year.

“Our artists work all year for this,” said Raquel Chambers, New Mexico Artisan Market Executive Director. “This is the biggest weekend of the year for them.”

The New Mexican Artisan Market is at Hotel Albuquerque and open for the rest of the weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Next week, Old Town will celebrate the Christmas season with a tree lighting and holiday stroll on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.