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Despite intensive efforts to reintroduce beavers into areas where they are severely reduced in numbers or eliminated due to over-harvesting in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, beavers remain sparse or or missing from many stream reaches. In this study, beaver dams mostly occurred at sites that were not grazed or where there was some alternative grazing management, but were mostly absent at sites within Forest Service cattle allotments. Results indicated that cattle grazing influenced the relation between vegetation variables and beaver presence. We recommend that beaver restoration will require changes to current livestock management practices.

At Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge there has been considerable decrease in water storage within the soil, a lower water table, and the loss of critical riparian and ephemeral wetlands due to extensive alterations to the river which accomodated agricultural needs of the past.

River otters have been successfully reintroduced to other NM rivers. If the Mora River is similar to these systems, then the biomass & production rate of fish and crayfish will sustain the min. river otter dietary requirements.

Plan to Increase American Beaver Populations at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, NM Goals: Grow beaver population in Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge to 20; Improve and expand habitat; Deter bison from beaver habitat

Environmental Conditions of the Animas and San Juan Watersheds: Past, Present and Future. NM Water Resources Research Institute.

The Rio Grande Water Fund is announcing the 2018 RGWF Request for Proposals (RFP). The Rio Grande Water Fund is seeking proposal for three, potentially overlapping, categories: 1. Forest Restoration Treatments 2. Stream, Wetland, and Aquatic Restoration Projects 3. Capacity Building (New for 2018) The RFP is open to both public and private lands. There is no match required, but leveraged or matched funding is encouraged. With this RFP, we aim to build on the vast experience the RGWF partners have in planning and implementing restoration treatments in the focal areas of the RGWF, and we encourage all to apply. We also hope to attract new partners, including groups looking to develop new collaboratives, stand up fire and fuels crews, or build innovative tools to tackle tough problems. Deadline for submission is January 22, 2018. Applicants should use the online form available at riograndewaterfund.org to submit their proposal. If you have any questions, please email RioGrandeWF@tnc.org or call Collin Haffey at 505-946-2637.

new video about people working to protect wildlife-friendly farmland in the Middle Rio Grande

Story and photos by Sarah Keller for the Intermountain West Joint Venture, March 2017

Video from Intermountain West Joint Venture

The Middle Rio Grande is a precious thread of water through the desert. Here, the migratory bird flyway narrows into a small corridor along this river because it becomes practically the only water source for thousands of miles, east and west. Conservation partners in the Middle Rio Grande know that every square mile of the river is important for wildlife, especially birds. Landowners, non-governmental organizations, federal and state agencies, tribes, and others are all crucial advocates here. Watch this short video to hear directly from a diverse coalition of people who are working together to keep the Middle Rio Grand intact.