Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announced $2.3 million in grants were awarded to improve access to the outdoors and boost economic opportunity across 14 counties.
We’re delighted to announce that Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project was selected to be one of the 15 grant recipients to support our La Mancha Wetlands Restoration Project. These funds will help protect La Mancha’s ecosystem, restore trails, enhance public access to the wetlands, and provide community programs focused on conservation education.
EDD’s Outdoor Recreation Division is closing out FY25 with a fourth and final round of Trails+ Grant funding that will create an estimated 169 jobs and support a diverse range of projects statewide.
Thank you to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Economic Development Department for continuing to invest in community-driven conservation projects all across New Mexico.
“Since stewardship of La Mancha was passed to Nuestra Tierra in 2022, our dream has always been to create both a community gathering place and a living classroom where everyone from elementary school students to NMSU doctoral researchers can connect with and learn from nature. This funding helps us create a space where we can nurture the next generation of environmental stewards who will protect our precious wetlands for decades to come."
— Ángel Peña, Executive Director of Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project
About La Mancha Restoration Project:
La Mancha Wetlands Restoration Project is a four-acre man made wetland ecosystem in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Its stewardship was passed on to Nuestra Tierra by Southwest Environmental Center (SWEC) in 2022. Over the years, community efforts transformed La Mancha into a sanctuary for countless species including birds, fish, bats, and humans.
About the Trails+ Grant:
The Trails+ Grant enhances outdoor access while promoting stewardship of New Mexico’s natural resources. Since its inception in 2019, the program has invested $28.7 million across 30 counties and 11 Tribal communities.