Business Details
8 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Tree & Forestry Services in Santa Fe, NM
Founded in 2018 by Ben Van Kleeck, our company emerged from a transition from wildland firefighting and large-scale thinning projects to comprehensive tree and forest management. We specialize in fire mitigation, tree stand health, and riparian area restoration, addressing the same ecological challenges that affect national forests but applying them to private properties in Northern New Mexico. Our team leverages techniques developed through decades of experience in wildland fire management and forestry projects, prioritizing responsible practices that enhance forest resilience to drought and disease.We utilize chainsaws, chipping, and natural topography to create safer, healthier landscapes while preserving soil nutrients and preventing erosion. Our work is informed by collaborations with experts like Bill Zeedyk, focusing on water systems and riparian conservation. With a foundation built on over 15 years of hands-on experience in forest remediation, we deliver tailored solutions for homeowners and property managers, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.
Services
Firescaping
Defensible Space
Chipping
Hazard Tree Removal
Riparian Restoration
Invasive Species Removal
Erosion Control
Storm Clean-up
Mistletoe Treatment
Forest Management
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- We offer 100% insured services with a focus on safety and professionalism.
- Our team has extensive experience in wildland fire mitigation and forest restoration.
- We use sustainable practices to preserve soil nutrients and prevent erosion.
- We provide customized solutions for fire risk reduction and forest health.
- Our founder brings expertise from 15+ years of national forest remediation projects.
What people say
Professional and efficient
Exceptional results
Knowledgeable and honest
Beautiful property transformation
Expertise in fire risk mitigation
Services
Firescaping
Our firescaping services assess and reduce wildfire risks by creating defensible spaces near buildings and roadways. We remove ladder fuels, thin overgrown forests, and implement fuel breaks tailored to local topography and vegetation. This proactive approach protects properties while promoting healthier, fire-resilient ecosystems in Northern New Mexico's wooded landscapes.
Chipping
We chip woody materials to reduce fire hazards and enrich soil health. This process breaks down debris into nutrient-rich mulch that prevents erosion, retains moisture, and supports microbial ecosystems. Chipping allows efficient on-site material management while beautifying landscapes and improving forest resilience across Santa Fe and surrounding areas.
Hazard Tree Removal
Our team safely removes hazardous trees threatening properties or infrastructure. Using professional climbing and rigging techniques, we eliminate dead or unstable trees while preserving desirable vegetation. This service enhances safety, reduces liability, and maintains ecological balance in forests from Santa Fe to Tesuque foothills.
Riparian Restoration
We restore riparian areas by removing invasive species and improving water flow in overgrown drainages. Our methods address erosion, enhance native vegetation, and increase water availability for sensitive ecosystems. Projects in Northern New Mexico focus on sustainable solutions that benefit both landowners and regional biodiversity.
Forest Management
Our forest management services optimize tree density to improve health and resilience. We selectively thin overgrown stands, treat diseased trees, and implement sustainable practices that mimic natural processes. This approach reduces fire risks while maintaining ecological integrity across properties in Northern New Mexico's diverse forest landscapes.
People
Ben Van Kleeck
Owner
Ben founded Rio Responsible Forestry after 15 years of national forest remediation work. He transitioned from U.S. Forest Service firefighting roles, including Santa Fe Hotshots, to private forestry. His expertise spans fire mitigation, invasive species removal, and ecosystem restoration across New Mexico and North Carolina.
Questions
What services does Río Responsible Forestry offer?
We specialize in firescaping, hazard tree removal, chipping, riparian restoration, and forest management to reduce wildfire risks and improve ecosystem health.
How do you assess fire risk for properties?
We evaluate fuel types, topography, and weather patterns to create customized mitigation plans focusing on defensible space and fuel breaks near structures.
Do you work in both urban and remote areas?
Yes, we handle projects ranging from residential properties to large-scale forest treatments across Northern New Mexico's diverse landscapes.
What makes your chipping service beneficial?
Our chipping process recycles woody debris into mulch that enriches soil, prevents erosion, and supports microbial ecosystems while reducing fire hazards.
Are emergency services available after storms?
Yes, we provide prompt storm clean-up and hazard tree removal to restore safety and prevent further property damage.
Reviews (6)
D. Harding
Nov 19, 2021
Report
Ben and his team did a really good job clearing and pruning some of our trees. Ben seemed very knowledgeable about trees and plants and made good recommendations about what to keep and what to clear. We ended up deciding to have some additional trees removed and he was very fair about the price for the additional work. Part of the job was to spread out the chips produced from the shredder/chipper and they did a great job of that, too. Finally, he raked our gravel driveway to smooth out the tracks made from his trailer, chipper, etc. Like many businesses these days, he has a hard time getting crew
Ken P.
Sep 22, 2020
Report
Ben and his crew were terrific to work with - they recently did clearing, cutting and chipping on our overgrown 5 acre property to improve the health of the trees, control erosion, and for fire danger mitigation. Ben always arrived when stated, was a pleasure to work with, and worked incredibly hard for a fair price. And a big bonus - he is extremely knowledgeable about the trees and plants and has a great aesthetic sense. Our property looks beautiful!
Gene Hill
Sep 10, 2020
Report
I own a densely wooded property with a residence within the forest edge of the Tesuque/Chupadero foothills above Santa Fe and recently became aware that there would be a major need for fire risk mitigation there. After a few failed attempts at finding a crew that is truly qualified to help with that (some much prefer to work with celebrities, lol) I found Ben Van Kleeck and his team some of whom are experienced firefighter "hot shots," so they know what is at risk. I have a long family history at this location, but Ben and co. know more about our local forestry than I could ever have learned over
Wayne Grant
Sep 06, 2020
Report
Positive:Punctuality,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Ive bought responsibly harvested firewood from Ben for a few years now. Always a full measure and always good wood. Enjoy talking with Ben about responsible harvest ,tree species ,etc when wood is delivered
Ive bought responsibly harvested firewood from Ben for a few years now. Always a full measure and always good wood. Enjoy talking with Ben about responsible harvest ,tree species ,etc when wood is delivered
William Johnson
Aug 24, 2019
Report
Ben has asked me to write a commentary on the tree work he did on my newly purchased property in the eastern hills of Santa Fe. One of the main attractions for me of this six and one half acre piece of land were the trees, exclusively pinon and juniper with a smattering of scub oak. I was excited by the hundreds of young pinons of 4 to 8 feet in height which must have sprung up in the aftermath of the pinebark beetle devastation some ten years earlier. There were many mature junipers and pinons that had survived the plague and dead fallen trunks and branches of those which had not. Somehow, though
Rae Domenico
Jul 30, 2019
Report
A recommendation for anyone needing tree management. Rio Responsible Forestry LLC does a skillful job with projects of all sizes, from forests to estates to residential homes. Ben Van Kleeck is the owner, and Ive used him several times, first to deliver firewood (which he does on the side), and then to save trees at my house that werent doing well. He normally works on a much larger scale, but was kind enough to diagnose and effectively remove tree limbs. He also removed an entire invasive tree that was growing on the fence line between 2 properties, by carefully extracting the tree, while
