Conservation Update – Spring 2020

Ron Loehman, Conservation Chair

New Mexico Trout will have an active 2020 volunteer program … but the dates have not yet been set.

Many of you know that Phyllis Martinez, who was our main contact for volunteer projects in the Jemez, retired from the Forest Service last July.   Her replacement, Brett Flaharty, has been learning about the Jemez Ranger District and working on priority projects for 2020 since being hired last November. We now have a list of projects but the schedule isn’t set because planning for the needed construction equipment and supplies isn’t complete and repairs of major damage to FR 376 have been delayed.

Below are the projects and our estimates of when they will take place.

  1. Cleanup of the Rio Guadalupe corridor along FR 376. Traditionally we do the cleanup the weekend before the April 15 opening of the FR 376 gate above the Gilman Tunnels. That date seems unlikely this year because of the difficulty the contractor has experienced in repairing the road.
    Estimated Date: late April or May
  2. Rio Chama willow planting: The New Mexico Game and Fish Department is doing a major fish habitat improvement project on the Chama below Abiquiu Dam. The have asked for volunteers to help plant willows on the banks.
    Estimated Date: April or May
  3. Vehicle barriers on lower Jemez creek: Help construct barriers on day use areas.
    Estimated Date: June – July
  4. Vehicle barriers on Rio San Antonio near La Cueva: Help with construction.
    Estimated Date: June-July

The scheduled dates will be posted on our website as we get them. We will also send out notices via Constant Contact with reminders about 3-4 weeks before each scheduled date. Following our custom, New Mexico Trout will provide lunches to volunteers who RSVP (no later than) the week before the event.