Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Photo: Nina Anthony
Amigos Bravos Builds Bridges to Connect People to Land and Water
Amigos Bravos provides assistance to a wide range of groups working on natural resources, legislative policy, science, health, and education, as well as with representatives from regional and national conservation organizations. Below is a listing of some of the groups that we’re currently working with on Upper Rio Grande projects.
- Questa to Red River Trail: The vision of this group is to create a multiuse, sustainable recreation trail that connects the communities of Questa and Red River to the land, the water, and the people. Amigos Bravos advocates for environmental education and land/water-use stewardship for development and design, as a well as guidance on trail sustainability in reference to water quality.
- Red River Roads: This project focuses on advocating for a sustainable Red River road system in collaboration with diverse community members working closely through consensus and action. Amigos Bravos represents the interests of water protection and environmental stewardship including watershed protection, erosion control, litter control and cleanup, prevention of disallowed off-road use, minimal wildlife and ecological impacts, and water crossings.
- Taos Valley Watershed Coalition (TVWC) and County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Team: Amigos Bravos is part of these two collaborative groups that consist of public agencies, municipalities, private landowners, and NGO’s working to protect the Taos Valley watershed from devastating wildfires and restore the forest and rivers.
- Taos Ski Valley Source Water Protection: This project involves reviewing documents and participating in stakeholder meetings associated with TSV SWP. Amigos Bravos serves as an active voice for watershed protection and water quality during these discussions.
- Taos Ski Valley Clean Water Act Oversight: This project consists of oversight of Taos Ski Valley (both the Village and the Corporation) activities and discharges to ensure compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and the protection of the Rio Hondo. Amigos Bravos engages in site visits, village hearings, NEPA actions, and NPDES permit activities.
- Taos County Cooperative Weed Management Area (Invasive Plant Collaborative): A newly formed collaborative including Amigos Bravos, Taos Soil and Water Conservation District, Town of Taos, the Native Plant Society, Taos Land Trust, Ace Hardware, Forest Service, and Rocky Mountain Youth Corp. Our goal is to combat invasive plants throughout Taos County. Invasive plants affect water quality and aquatic ecosystem health due to the ways they affect bank stability, water movement, and pollution levels in runoff.
- Miranda Canyon Project: Amigos Bravos participates in a collaborative group made up of USFS, Taos Pueblo, Taos County, Enchanted Circle Trails Association that is working to develop a community management plan for Miranda Canyon and the surrounding area. This includes community outreach, stewardship activities, and recommendations for restoration such as closure for watershed protection.