All of the projects are in the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), many of them on streams that we know. It is my understanding that all of the projects have been budgeted but the dates are tentative as SFNF staff are working out details with contractors and other support staff. Once the dates are set, they will be announced in Constant Contact messages, in our social media communications, and on the NM Trout website.
I will ask volunteers to respond to me by email, and approximately 10 days before the project start, I will reply with information on the meeting time and place. Some projects this year will feature mid-week work because contractors and staff frequently prefer to have their weekend free.
Here is the schedule. All the dates are tentative, except the Rio Guadalupe clean-up, which is
confirmed for April 1, 2023.
The sites are keyed to the accompanying Jemez Ranger District map shown below.
1. APRIL 1: RIO GUADALUPE CLEANUP:
The Guadalupe is our New Mexico Trout home water. We pick up accumulated trash along FR
376 from the Gilman Tunnels to Porter’s Landing. When we have sufficient volunteers, we also
clean up another four miles on FR 376 along the Rio Cebolla.
2. LATE APRIL: POLVADERA CREEK WILLOW PLANTING:
Polvadera Creek is a small stream that drains northward toward Abiquiu from the ridge along
the Valles Caldera northern boundary. The stream holds a population of native Rio Grande
Cutthroat trout (RGCT). The work will support trout habitat improvement.
3. LATE SPRING-EARLY SUMMER: RITO PENAS NEGRAS BEAVER DAM ANALOGS (BDAs):
The Rito Peñas Negras is a tributary of the Rio de las Vacas that originates in the San Pero Parks Wilderness. The BDAs will improve habitat for Rio Grande Cutthroat trout.
4. LATE SUMMER: RIO CEBOLLA ELK/CATTLE EXCLOSURES:
The upper Rio Cebolla above the fish hatchery holds a mixed population of brown and RGCT
trout with the proportion of RGCT increasing as one goes farther upstream. Reducing brown
trout competition with RGCT is a continuing issue. This project addresses a different form of
competition- that from cattle (mostly) and elk grazing that has degraded the stream quality and degraded trout habitat. Stream segments will be fenced to exclude cattle and elk, which will allow the area inside to recover. This has been successful in improving riparian habitat on other streams, for example on the Rio San Antonio downstream of the Valles Caldera boundary.
5. SUMMER-FALL TBD: RIO SAN ANTONIO IN THE VALLES CALDERA EXCLOSURES/ BDAs:
Both Elk exclosures and BDAs are planned for the Rio San Antonio upstream of its border with the SFNF. The timing a specific locations are being negotiated with the Valles Caldera National Preserve staff.
We hope to see you there! These are great times to get out and meet fellow members and have some fun volunteering for conservation efforts.
Ron
