The New Mexico Forest Restoration Principles is a set of policies forged by representatives from a diverse group of land management agencies, business interests and conservation organizations. The principles ensure that both ecological and economic goals will be met in forest restoration and community wildfire protection plans, mitigating potential controversy. The big winners are New Mexico's five national forests.

The group was formed after Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) approached the USDA Forest Service in 2004 regarding a biomass (woody material) burning power plant in New Mexico and the need to understand the potential ecological concerns of such a plant.

The amount of biomass fuel needed for the PNM project, presented a challenge for business and conservationists who have differing views on how land management agencies should restore low elevation, dry forests, reduce the wildfire threats to communities, and promote healthier, more natural forests.