New Mexico Land Conservation Incentive Act Policy Reform
RGALT is leading a collaborative effort on reforming the New Mexico Land Conservation Incentive Act (LCIA) to better support landowners, leverage agency conservation programs and expand conservation across the state.
2025 Newsletter and 2024 Annual Report
In this issue, we highlight water scarcity in the middle Rio Grande and discuss how RGALT and conservation partners are working collaboratively to support farms and the river ecosystem. We also share inspiring stories from our conservation easement landowners in Bernalillo and Socorro County, welcome new staff, and honor a legacy gift from one of RGALT’s long-time supporters.
Spring Migration Birding Tour Photos
Our Spring Migration Birding Tour at La Joya Farms was a great success! It was a joy to share such a beautiful spring day with all of our guests – a day of great weather, beautiful birds, inspiring conversations, and delicious food.
NRCS Easement Newsletter May 2025
Read the May issue.
May The Circle Be Unbroken – Navigating Troubling Times
A message from our Executive Director
I don’t know about you, but I have been at a loss for words. Each day we are bombarded with “breaking news” one after another, I’m left feeling overwhelmed with many emotions – anxiety, frustration, anger, fear, and grief.
Spring Migration Bird Tour
Join the Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust for a special Spring Migration Birding Celebration at La Joya Farms, home to over 250 bird species!
2024 Agricultural Land Easement Workshop Recommendations
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MRG Farms Under Threat
For 25 years RGALT has been working to protect farmland in the middle Rio Grande, the most populated area of NM, including Albuquerque, NM’s largest metropolitan area. The MRG landscape is being threatened due to increasing urbanization, loss of agricultural water...
The Common Thread: People and the Rio Grande
A new video by our partners at the Intermountain West Joint Ventures featuring RGALT’s CE landowner Ray Garcia – his farm, his family. Video production by Christi Bode.
Conservation Hero: Hank Taliaferro
Hank Taliaferro has been selected as the 2018 Intermountain West Joint Venture private landowner conservation champion award winner! This award recognizes and honors private landowners for their contributions to natural resource conservation and management in the...
Conservation Heroes: The Gonzales’
Ernest Gonzales adored the section of the Rio Grande that passes through what used to be his 46-acre piece of property in Socorro County, New Mexico. Located on the east side of the Rio Grande floodplain just outside of San Antonio, New Mexico, this land provided him...
Conservation Heroes: The Mitchell’s conserve and restore the Rio Grande bosque
Matthew and Stephanie Mitchell live on 18 acres of land alongside the banks of the Rio Grande in Socorro County, New Mexico. Stepping onto the front porch of their small passive solar home, you are greeted by the sounds of a healthy Cottonwood-Willow gallery forest:...
Remembering 20 years of Conservation
During NM Governor Bill Richardson’s first term in office, I was director of policy and issues, and I dealt with matters concerning water. During that time, Cecilia Rosacker and several colleagues approached the Governor’s office about the possibility of obtaining...
Conservation Easements & Restoration Help Protect Landowners from Wildfire
From her Socorro County farm, RGALT’s director, Cecilia Rosacker, saw the black cloud billowing in the distance. The culprit was a fire in the Escondida area of the Rio Grande Bosque—a place near 4 of RGALT’s conservation easements. The following morning, with smoke...
Creating a String of Pearls
Conservation easements, land trusts, restoration projects—these tools of land and natural resource protection can seem a bit abstract and complex. However, once you meet the people behind them, the value of these tools paired with the passion and amazing synergy among...
Accreditation!
RGALT today announced it has achieved accreditation – a mark of honor in land conservation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that RGALT lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts across the country...
Conservation Easements 101
A conservation easement (CE) is a voluntary and legally binding land protection agreement between a landowner (grantor) and a qualified conservation organization (grantee). Grantor and grantee work together to customize a CE appropriate to the land, as well as in...