Watch on YouTube. New Mexicans are concerned about the future of the state's water. Whether we're talking about ecology, economy, agriculture, outdoor recreation, or culture & spirituality, diverse voices from across the state have united to urge legislators to make water a top priority.
Watch on YouTube. Eastern New Mexicans are shining a light on immediate concerns about the water supply of the Ogallala Aquifer which supports rural communities and cities including Portales and Clovis. New Mexicans from this part of the state often don't feel seen and heard by the legislature in Santa Fe. They have stepped up to lend their voices to the Water Can't Wait campaign.
Watch on YouTube. Aaron Lowden and Theresa Pasqual of Acoma Pueblo know that water is fundamental to every issue that is faced by not only New Mexico's tribal communities, but the statewide community. While they recognize the challenges of navigating bureaucracies at the state level, they emphasize that the legislature must devote more resources to tribal and other rural communities for water projects.
Watch on YouTube. The ecological diversity of Southwestern New Mexico is clearly revered by those who reside in Silver City and surrounding areas. This is a community that greatly values its natural environment and recognizes that water is a critical resource needed to support that environment. From the upper watershed of the Gila River all the way down to the riparian corridor in downtown Silver City, this community is sending a clear message: "Water Can't Wait."
Watch on YouTube. Our rural areas, tribes, pueblos and acequia communities are especially vulnerable to climate change and the water crisis right now. Miguel Santistevan is a multi-generational acequia farmer and ecologist in Taos who's been engaged in land and water stewardship and sustainability for many years. He asserts that New Mexico's water resources have reached a tipping point and that the state urgently needs to address water issues in more radical and innovative ways.
Watch on YouTube. The Rio Grande once flowed year-round throughout the state. Drought, climate change, and an increase in consumptive uses by extractive industries has impacted perennial river flows. The Rio Grande now remains dry for the majority of the year in Las Cruces. In summer 2023 a Rio Grande Float community event hosted by Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project helped emphasize the importance of water in Southern New Mexico. Addressing water-related issues is critical for the well-being of southern New Mexico's frontera/borderland communities and environment. Video courtesy of Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project
New Mexicans are saying, "Water can't wait!"
Miguel Santistevan
Taos, NM
"Everything that we do - economically, culturally, spiritually - has a basis in our water resources. If we don't respect, appreciate, and prioritize the most fundamental element that sustains us all, nature will have the last word."
Kasey Hovden
Las Cruces, NM
"Water issues should be more of a priority because we are the most downstream on the Rio Grande. All the decisions made up north impact us even though we don't see that water year round. Life really erupts in the desert when water comes around."
Emily Gomez
Las Cruces, NM
"While the State has made small gains on tackling water issues, the crisis requires us to take more immediate action. Water issues affect every New Mexican, yet without making this a top priority, the long term effects will be costly and more devastating."
NEW MEXICO IS IN A WATER CRISIS
While the state has taken important steps, they are too small to meet the moment we are in. We need our elected officials to take bigger, bolder, and more immediate actions and implement more serious long-term plans to secure our state’s water future. With record budget surpluses, there is no excuse not to act now.
POLICY PRIORITIES