Healing Waters Trail

The collective efforts of local citizens, local businesses, Sierra SWCD and the City of Truth or Consequences joined to create a 3-mile walking trail celebrating the beauty of Sierra County. The trail is utilized by both residents and visitors alike for a variety of purposes. Highlights of the trail include the historic bath house district, natural wetland area adjacent to the Rio Grande, and the Veteran’s Memorial Park. This project was funded in part by New Mexico State Parks. ​

Middle Percha Creek Rehabilitation

In the aftermath of the Silver Fire, project goals and objectives include reduction of stream velocity, decrease bank erosion and instability, reduce turbidity in the stream, and promote the restoration of a healthy riparian area. This project is made possible by the New Mexico Environment Department in collaboration with the United States Forest Service.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Sierra SWCD serves as the lead agency in Sierra County in drafting the Wildland-Urban interface fire plan. Member participants include the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land management, Bureau of Reclamation, NM State Forestry Division, County of Sierra, Department of Transportation, utility companies and the eleven volunteer fire departments.

Restore New Mexico

Restore New Mexico is an aggressive partnership between land owners and land management agencies to restore the state’s grasslands, woodlands, and riparian areas to a healthy, more productive condition.  Large areas of desert grassland in New Mexico were lost to shrub invasion beginning in the mid-to-late 1800’s.  Invasive shrub treatments are being conducted across the state to reduce the density of brush species, such as mesquite and creosote, which have encroached on historic desert grasslands.  Once invasive shrub densities are reduced, more desirable native grasses and forbs can reestablish themselves. Since 2017, Sierra SWCD and partners have treated 30,331 acres of creosote and 13,600 acres of mesquite.
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Tiffany Fire Rehabilitation

 The Tiffany Fire started on June 26th, 2017 from a single lightning strike near the Burlington  Northern-Santa Fe Railroad bridge, San Marcial, NM and spread quickly through the nearby   Rio Grande bosque. In total, 9,200 acres were burned, making it the largest wildfire in the        Middle Rio Grande Bosque in the past 20 years. A diverse group of landowners were  impacted, with 50.4% of the fire affecting private lands and 49.6% federal (BOR/BLM) land. To deal with these issues, a diverse group  of stakeholders have come together to initiate a large-scale restoration project that will require planning, implementation, and maintenance in order for it to be successful. Current partners include Sierra SWCD, New Mexico State Forestry, private landowners, the SOBTF, BOR, USFWS and BLM.
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74 Salt Cedar Removal

Sierra SWCD mechanically removed 17 acres of Salt Cedar in Monticello Canyon. This Salt Cedar had encroached near the stream that feeds the Monticello Ditch Association irrigation canal. By removing the invasive species which has the potential to use 200 gal/day, more water will travel down the stream to used for irrigation purposes.

Sierra Co. Fair Grounds Rainwater Catchment System

Sierra SWCD installed 6 Polyethylene water storage tanks. The purpose of this project was to turn water that was having a detrimental impact and using it for beneficial use. The issue faced was flooding of the fairgrounds from the water that runs off the two main buildings. To solve this issue, Sierra SWCD installed catchment tanks. Captured rainwater will be used by Sierra SWCD to fill spray tanks to treat state listed noxious weeds around the county. Water will also be utilized by fair exhibitors to fill water buckets for their show animals.