Philmont Scout Ranch Launches Reforestation Project Seven Years After Ute Park Fire
Cimarron, N.M. –(July 15, 2025) – In 2018, a devastating wildfire swept through the Cimarron River Canyon, igniting near Ute Park and advancing toward the Village of Cimarron. More than 32,000 acres burned, including over 26,000 acres on Philmont Scout Ranch. The fire’s severity stripped large sections of tree cover, leading to widespread sheet erosion and sediment build up in the Cimarron River.
Since then, the landscape has shown early signs of recovery, with pioneer species like Gambel oak stabilizing the soil. Still, without intervention, it would take generations for the historic ponderosa pine forest to return.
Philmont Scout Ranch is committed to accelerating that recovery. On July 15, 2025, Philmont Scout Ranch will launch a reforestation effort to restore the Ute Park burn scar and revive the forest ecosystem.
This work is being done in collaboration with the University of New Mexico and the JTH Forestry Research Center at New Mexico State University. Both institutions have studied seedling survival in the burn area and developed planting protocols with success rates over 80 percent, a major improvement over previous efforts.
At Philmont Scout Ranch, every camper contributes at least three hours of conservation work under the guidance of staff, tackling projects like trail building, erosion control, forest management, or habitat restoration. Reforestation is one such project, involving two main steps: site preparation and planting. Earlier this season, Scouts hand-cleared dense Gambel oak thickets that would have competed with new seedlings. This work was done entirely by hand, laying the groundwork for planting to begin.
On Monday, July 14, Philmont will receive 3,000 ponderosa pine seedlings grown at the state nursery in Mora, New Mexico. The seedlings will be stored in a climate-controlled facility at the historic Cimarroncita Camp, part of Philmont Scout Ranch. On Tuesday, Scouts will plant the first trees, beginning the long process of reestablishing the forest.
This effort is about more than restoring trees. A healthy ponderosa ecosystem reduces erosion, improves water quality, restores wildlife habitat, rebuilds soil, and provides critical shade for future trekkers.
“Throughout its history Scouting has always taken its conservation responsibilities seriously,” said Marty Parsons, Philmont’s Forester. “Scouting is continuing to lead the way here at Philmont by restoring the forest to a condition where fire improves the forest, not destroys it, and giving nature a hand by replanting the devastating burn scar of 2018 so future Scouts can enjoy what Philmont has to offer. It’s what we do.”
Camper conservation crews will continue the work throughout the summer, planting trees across the designated nucleation, or nursery, sites at Cimarroncita. Before planting, Scouts will learn about reforestation, fire ecology, and proper tree planting methods, including how to use planting bars and place protective cages around seedlings to prevent damage from deer, elk, and rodents. Every step is designed to increase survival rates.
Cimarroncita is the first of several planned planting sites. These nucleation sites are located within the burn scar to embed seed sources in the heart of the affected area. Naturally, forest regeneration would begin around the perimeter and move inward over decades. These embedded sites help speed up that process by introducing seeds directly into the interior of the burn zone.
Philmont continues to lead in resource conservation through its efforts to restore the ponderosa forest belt, reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires, and replant burned areas. By thinning forest fuels between the Ute Park and Cooks Peak burn scars and actively reforesting the land, Philmont is helping restore both the landscape and the legacy that generations of Scouts call home. This work would not be possible without the support and collaboration of our partners at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University’s JTH Forestry Research Center, and the many Scouts and staff who are giving their hands and hearts to this restoration effort. Together, we are planting the future.
For more information about Philmont Scout Ranch and its programs, please visit www.philmontscoutranch.org.
Media Contact:
Shelley O’Neill
Director of Business Operations
Philmont Scout Ranch
(575) 376-2281