Conservation and Efficient Use of Water (Valencia County)

Evaluation, outcomes, and deliverables for the RGBI project are outlined in the 2007-2008 Progress Report, which is prepared annually by Texas A&M and New Mexico State University. The 2007-2008 Progress and Accomplishment Report is available on the Texas A&M web site at http://riogrande.tamu.edu. The 2008-2009 funding for this project started July, 2008, with 13 new Research and Extension projects. Additionally funding is available to Counties in the Rio Grande Basin. For a listing of new projects visit the RGBI website at http://riogrande.nmsu.edu

All (100%) surveyed VCEMG who participated in the rainwater harvesting and water wise gardening demonstration agreed they would be able to tell clientele how to create a similar water unit.

From June 15, 2008 to October 8, 2008 a total of 13 community members have requested more information on one or more aspects of the demonstration. Surveyed VCEMG reported they each received 1-5 requests for more information on various aspects of the demonstration, while acting as a Master Gardener at a sanctioned community service activity. Similarly, approximately 5-25% of all VCEMG fielded questions were focused on the conservation and effective use of water. Many of these people had been previously interested in installing a similar system at their home, but did not due to lack of instruction, materials and prohibitive costs. Most information was focused on material accusition and cost, however many people were also interested in the olla form of irrigation including an NMSU college professor in Engineering Technology teaching a course on green building. All people involved strongly agreed the demonstration had an impact on how they can conserve and effectively use water in home landscape settings. No further information is available on whether similar demonstrations have been implemented.
In addition, an educational brochure was developed to explain the system and stress the importance of wise water use through conservation and efficient irrigation. Approximately 100 copies of the brochure were disseminated throughout the county at VCEMG event and public facilities.

Awareness for alternative landscape watering resources and water conserving gardening techniques has been raised through mass media publicity. The Saturday, September 13, 2008 Valencia County News Bulletin featured a story on the demonstration which reached 22,750 residents and businesses in Valencia County. Jane Moorman (NMSU Communications Specialist) also covered the demonstration and published it into a regional network of newspapers. Her story was distributed throughout the NMSU community and was also published by the Albuquerque Journal on Monday, October 6, 2008, which has an estimated 500,000 daily readers.

Kyle Tator has signed on to support Conservation and Efficient Use of Water within Valencia County.