Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Gabe Vasquez reintroduce Gila Wild and Scenic Legislation
Senators Martin Heinrich and Representatives Gabe Vasquez announced today the reintroduction of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act to protect segments of the Gila and San Francisco rivers and their tributaries as Wild and Scenic.
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) are original cosponsors of the legislation.
GRIP and its partners in the Gila Conservation Coalition commend our New Mexico delegation for their leadership and dedication to long-term protection of New Mexico's last wild river.
“As we struggle to mitigate the ecological impacts of the climate and extinction crises, Wild and Scenic designation will ensure long-term protection of the Gila’s riparian ecosystem and its threatened and endangered species,” said Allyson Siwik, Executive Director of GRIP and the Gila Conservation Coalition.
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Celebrate World Water Day 2023
with panel discussion, field trip
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The Silver City Watershed Keepers will be celebrating World Water Day this month with a panel discussion on March 23 and field trip on March 25 focused on San Vicente Creek stream restoration.
Silver City has been celebrating World Water Day, an international event, for the past 10 years.
World Water Day 2023 is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. This year’s World Water Day is asking people to “be the change they want to see in the world” by changing the way you use, consume, and manage water in your lives.
With funding from the NM Environment Department River Stewardship Program, Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP) and Silver City Watershed Keepers (SCWK), along with the Town of Silver City, Stream Dynamics, Gila WoodNet, and Lone Mountain Natives have been activating change by addressing water quality impairments and threats to riparian habitat in San Vicente Creek through the San Vicente Creek River Stewardship Project.
On Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 PM, you can learn about these improvements by attending a panel discussion on Zoom or Facebook with Van Clothier, Martha Egnal, and Mike Fugagli of Stream Dynamics, Gordon West of Gila WoodNet, and Allyson Siwik of Gila Resources Information Project
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Check out the stream restoration work first-hand on a field trip along the creek on Saturday, March 25 from 10 AM – noon. Meet at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center at 9:30 AM to carpool/caravan to the project site. Plan to wear sturdy walking shoes and a hat and carry water and snacks.
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Volunteer for San Vicente Creek Restoration Project April 15 |
Kick off Earth Week by helping to restore San Vicente Creek!
The Silver City Watershed Keepers is hosting a Volunteer Planting Day on Saturday, April 15 from 9 am - 3 pm along San Vicente Creek.
Volunteers will help plant riparian vegetation, including native trees, shrubs, and succulents, at the site of the San Vicente Creek River Stewardship Project.
Snacks and lunch will be provided.
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and bring hat, water bottle, and garden gloves. Equipment will be provided.
Meet at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center at 8:30am to carpool to the project site.
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Get Connected to GRIP Volunteer Opportunities with New App |
Want to get connected to GRIP volunteer opportunities with the the Silver City Watershed Keepers, Pick It Up - Toss No Mas, San Vicente Creek River Stewardship project and more?
The user-friendly app works on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
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Last Call!
Take the Gila Wetlands Survey
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Gila Resources Information Project and Upper Gila Watershed Alliance are working in partnership with Amigos Bravos to identify “wetland jewels” in the Gila watershed.
This effort will help prioritize wetlands for protection and restoration that serve as keystone areas in the health of the watershed. As part of the project, we are looking for local watershed user’s input on the wetland functions (i.e. habitat creation, groundwater recharge, streamflow maintenance, sediment retention, etc.) that matter most to them and their activities within the watershed.
Once the top wetland functions are identified, the project team will utilize high-detailed mapping analysis to identify the areas that contribute the most to these watershed functions. A map will be created of the analysis and shared with stakeholders, land managers, and restoration professionals so these areas can be prioritized in future restoration activities and management plans.
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Please take 5 minutes to complete the following survey so your opinions can be incorporated into the analysis.
The survey closes at the end of the month, so contribute your input to the prioritization process!
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New Pick It Up - Toss No Mas Website |
Check out the new Pick It Up - Toss No Mas website for information on upcoming cleanups, volunteer registration, the latest cleanup results, volunteer spotlight, and the business pledge program. Follow the program on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
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Reminder!
Reserve Your Booth Space for
Gila Earth Day
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Given last year's successful joint event between Gila Earth Day and Continental Divide Trail Days, we are going to do it again on April 22, 2023 from 10 am - 2 pm in Gough Park!
Fill out the vendor/sponsor form if you'd like to reserve your booth space or become a sponsor.
If you'd like to get involved in Gila Earth Day planning, contact GRIP projects coordinator Candice Baca at gripcoordinator@gmail.com.
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Gila Resources Information Project
305A North Cooper St. Silver City, NM 88061
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