Donate to Conservation

DONATE TO CONSERVATION

Support and promote good land, water and wildlife stewardship in CPLA territory.

1. Forest and Watershed Health: The Alliance region includes the source watersheds for nearly half of New Mexico’s drinking water. The watersheds near Chama, NM supply Lake Heron and El Vado Reservoir, which in turn supply approximately 75% of Albuquerque’s drinking water, 50% of Santa Fe’s drinking water, at least 10 Tribes and Pueblos, and many rural communities, acequia parciantes and agricultural producers in New Mexico. The health and resilience of these watersheds and forests have a direct relationship to the security of water, wildlife, timber, recreation, and the rural economy that supports both local residents and downstream water users. Alliance members are responding through good stewardship practices to reduce forest fuel loads, restore streams, wetlands, and riparian areas modified by water diversion or altered hydro-geomorphology will improve system resilience and protect these key natural resources. CPLA promotes and practices forest and watershed stewardship through thinning, prescribed fire, and other restoration or management practices to improve forest health and resilience on private lands. The Alliance continues to serve a leadership role in the San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership for as long as all parties are amenable. CPLA currently serves as the Fiscal Sponsor for the San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership (SJCWP). We work with landowners and host workshops to identify and implement stream, riparian, and wetland restoration projects. Promoting partner efforts to restore these systems and attract funding to implement projects is essential to improving community support for stewardship while promoting an “all lands, all hands” collaborative approach to increase project impact for all partners. Partnerships include but are not limited to Rio Grande Water Fund, 2-3-2 Cohesive Strategy Partnership, San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership, San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership.
2. Sustainable Agriculture:  The Alliance Region includes a rich history of agricultural practices.  The Alliance will provide resources and foster practices that are holistic and promote stewardship.  Challenges facing agriculture will be substantial and the Alliance works to implement opportunities that help farmers and ranchers in the region. CPLA facilitates workshops with partners, experts and educators to provide educational opportunities through workshops. You can participate in discussions of good practices and stewardship through various channels: Farm & Ranch Radio Show with Sage, Social Media, Newsletter, Emails, Discussion groups. We also provide Resources for soil, grazing, water, seeds, cover cropping, reproductive health, forage, organic, biocontrol, animal husbandry and other agricultural opportunities.
3. Wildlife and Fisheries: Wildlife and the habitats on which species rely do not recognize ownership or jurisdictional boundaries. Effective ecological management must consider the whole system irrespective of property lines. Private lands play a critical role in the Alliance region as they are often adjacent or between public lands and include important habitat linkages and wildlife migration corridors. CPLA works with the Jicarilla Apache Nation to implement recommendations from the elk collaring study. We promote use of wildlife friendly fencing on private lands and on public-private boundaries and work with partners to promote conflict resolution for elk depredation issues. We also engage with partners in the private and public sector to develop cross-boundary habitat management projects, such as stream restoration, native trout population enhancement, forest thinning, prescribed fire, or improved wildfire response and provide continued support of EPLUS (Elk Private Land Use System) program in New Mexico.
4. Education and Economy: Education is vital to advancing our collective understanding of and vision for land health and sustainable economic development. Through education, we can bridge traditional divides, provide opportunities for youth to engage directly with their surrounding landscape, and support local economies through rural development and poverty alleviation. CPLA organizes field tours, presentations, and other in-person information sharing sessions for community members, CPLA membership, and other stakeholders. We also work with educational institutions to promote Alliance mission, partnerships, education, and outreach to communities, stakeholders, and the next generation of conservation practitioners.