Click the blue links to view Story Maps about the Wetland Jewels we identified in the following areas:
– Carson National Forest Wetland Jewels
– Gila National Forest Wetland Jewels
– San Juan Basin Wetland Jewels
– Santa Fe National Forest Wetland Jewels
One of the best ways to create resilience in the face of climate change is to protect and restore mountain wetlands. Our wetlands are the sponges of our watersheds. They store water naturally, then release clean water over time that nourishes communities.
Working with wetland and GIS specialists and with input from watershed stakeholders, Amigos Bravos has identified Wetland Jewels in the Carson National Forest, Santa Fe National Forest, Gila National Forest, and the San Juan Watershed. We have implemented large-scale wetland restoration projects at two of the Jewels and are actively planning restoration work in additional areas. In partnership with Western Environmental Law Center and other partners, we have been successful in advocating for special protections of these areas under the corresponding agency’s Management Plans and continue to pursue additional opportunities to highlight the critical function these areas play for the watersheds of New Mexico.
By protecting Wetland Jewels across north-central New Mexico’s national forests, we do some the following:
- Wetlands create habitat for wildlife
- Wetlands provide clean water for downstream communities
- Wetlands mitigate the risk of flooding
- Wetlands maintain stream flow essential for irrigation along with wildlife and livestock forage
In the process, we reduce climate impacts such as drought, decreased snow pack, earlier runoff, and wildfire. Wetland Jewels are a keystone element of action to foster resilient, interconnected, landscape-scale ecological and community systems in New Mexico.
Click the blue links to view Interactive Story Maps of the New Mexico Wetland Jewels in the Carson National Forest, Santa Fe National Forest, Gila National Forest, and San Juan Watershed.
Visit our Photo Gallery to see more images of these magnificent Wetland Jewels.