Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Environmentally sustainable management of aquatic resources and watersheds.

Plan Goal

Providing New Mexicans with information and educational programming on topics aimed at better understanding of watersheds, aquatic ecosystem health, and the environmentally sustainable use and management of aquatic resources.

Situation Statement

Water is one of the most important natural resources in the western United States, and its availability continues to be a primary limitation for crop and livestock production, aquaculture, urban growth and economic development, and the management of indigenous aquatic species. An important challenge is to balance highly variable water supplies in a manner that can sustain competing demands posed by agriculture, urban development and ecological systems. Aquatic resources in New Mexico are particularly vulnerable to degradation because, like in other arid and semi-arid lands, water is so scarce and at a premium. Riparian zones are especially important because they support a majority of the terrestrial and aerial wildlife species in arid regions. In addition to environmental degradation due to habitat modification and inputs of various pollutants, contaminants and nutrients, invasive nonnative species are a threat to native aquatic life in many ways, including competition, predation, hybridization, and habitat alteration. A better understanding of the importance of healthy aquatic ecosystems and the need for integrated landscape perspectives for managing aquatic systems are necessary in order to effectively manage our watersheds and aquatic resources in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience consists of all stakeholders and resource users in New Mexico interested in learning more about aquatic ecosystem health, water quality, watershed stewardship, and managing aquatic resources in a sustainable manner. These include county agents, homeowners, gardeners and landscapers, watershed groups, student groups interested in conservation, landowners with interest in managing their aquatic resources, recreational users of aquatic resources, and aquaculture producers. I will work with county agents interested in offering seminars on watershed stewardship, and with agents needing help or specific information on topics relating to watershed quality and aquatic health. Information will be distributed through extension publications, published scientific studies, workshops, presentations and individual communication with anyone interested in aquatic ecosystems, aquatic health, watershed management, or with questions pertaining to aquaculture in New Mexico. Assistance will be provided through email or verbal communication and/or site inspection of the particular aquatic system being examined.

Short-Term Objectives

Raise awareness of the importance of healthy aquatic ecosystems and the need for integrated landscape perspectives for managing aquatic systems. Provide information to support better understanding of aquatic ecosystem health. Provide information, assistance and support to Aquaculture growers in New Mexico

Medium-Term Objectives

Change attitudes of New Mexico stakeholders on the importance of seeking sustainable solutions that balance the competing demands on our limited water supply posed by agriculture, urban development and natural aquatic communities. Continue to provide assistance and information needed to better understand aquatic health.

Long-Term Objectives

The adoption of concensus-driven, multi-partnered strategies for sustainably managing the aquatic resources of New Mexico in a way that supports agriculture, urban development, and the aquatic biological communities that depend on these ecosystems.

Evaluation Plan

Knowledge and behavior surveys will be used to measure short and medium term objectives. Measurable objectives will be assessed through questionnaires handed out after program participation. Long term impact will be assessed by distributing surveys to clientele one year after training seminars were taken.