Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance

Mora 319 1B - The organization continued work under a grant from the NM Environment Department to help reduce water quality impairments in the Mora River just west of Watrous, NM. Work focused on a major river restoration project of approximately 1 mile of river within the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. Gallinas 319 III & IV - In the beginning of the year the organization finished up a 3-year, Phase III project with a grant from the NM Environment Department to do watershed restoration aimed at reducing water quality impairments in the Gallinas Watershed. We then began work on the Phase IV project just as the Hermit's Peak - Calf Canyon Fire started. We quickly amended that grant goals and approaches to focus on post-fire restoration work which we began in July.

Sapello & Wolf Cr. WBP finalize - With NM Environment Department funding, HPWA developed and finished producing two Watershed Based Plans, one for the Sapello Watershed and one for the Wolf Creek Watershed. Both plans lay out watershed-wide restoration activities that are needed to reduce water quality impairments in those areas.

Gallinas River Park - Continued efforts to revitalize the Gallinas River Park amenities and promote programs to fund and improve management of the park. Donations and small grants were received to buy and install trash cans and interpretive signs. Planning and coordination occurred to develop a Unity Orchard in the park as part of West Las Vegas High School agricultural programs. Outdoor Equity Fund #2 - With a grant from the NM Economic Development Department, HPWA held numerous outdoor education and recreation programs for local, underserved youth and their families. Outdoor events included instruction in birding and flyfishing and were held at the Gallinas River Park. RSP II & III - In 2022 we finished up work on a significant project to restore the Gallinas River in the City of Las Vegas Phase II and immediately began work on the third phase of river restoration. However, the Phase III project was interrupted by the Hermit's Peak - Calf Canyon Fire which severely affected the stretch of river we planned to restore, making the planned budget and approach of the project impractical. So, the project was terminated with hopes of doing it in the future.

Form 990, Part III, L. 4d - Other Program Services. Education and Outreach - Videos were produced to educate the public on various aspects of watershed stewardship and appreciation. Videos included a series about Beaver and an introductory video titled "What is a Watershed". Numerous hands-on events were promoted and held to engage our community in helping victims of the Hermit's Peak - Calf Canyon Fire to begin the recovery process. ($9,597). Fire Response - The Hermit's Peak - Calf Canyon Fire began in April 2022 and burned through much of the summer. This fire, the largest in New Mexico history, burned over 340,000 acres affecting all the watersheds that we work in. HPWA was among the first organizations to respond to the fire, holding many volunteer days to help stabilize soils and reduce flood intensity in the Gallinas Watershed. We started the long process of constructing nature-based, low-tech structures to help our land, water, and communities heal from the devastating fire. ($17,492) Capacity Building - Santa Fe Community Foundation - Working with a grant from the Santa Fe Community Foundation, HPWA carried out several Capacity Building endeavors. We increased our capacity to manage potential donor information, hold fundraising events, and manage and train a fundraising committee. We also increased our staff by engaging and managing interns from NM Highlands University, SOMO STEM program. We then developed grant applications and began building our capacity to hire and train a group of 16 new seasonal hires to help with post-fire restoration in the 2023 field season. ($9,778) Other program expenses include projects with New Mexico State Forestry, Youth Conservation Corps and research and applications made for potential future projects. ($6,025)