Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District
Grants Awarded
The Valencia and Soil and Water Conservation District will collaborate with local wildlife refuges, Friends’ groups, and youth employment agencies to implement a six-month program that immerses youth in environmental exploration within local conservation areas and national wildlife refuge sites. Participants will engage in field trips and hands-on lessons about plant and animal habitats, ultimately contributing to a restoration planting project and creating interpretive placards to reflect their learning. This initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of local ecosystems, empowering youth to recognize their roles in environmental stewardship and benefiting the broader community.
The Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District (District) was formed on May 1, 1947, and is a unit of New Mexico Government being a political subdivision of the State. The District operates under the Soil and Water Conservation District law of the 27th legislature of New Mexico and was revised by the Soil and Water Resources Act of 1978. The District encompasses 1,438,000 acres, including all of Valencia County, a small portion of northern Socorro County, Isleta Pueblo, and Laguna Pueblo. Under New Mexico law, the District is responsible for the conservation and sustainability of natural resources such as agriculture, soils, water, plants, and animals. The District is overseen by a seven-member volunteer Board of Supervisors (five elected, two appointed) who provide leadership and management expertise.