Santa Fe Watershed Association

Santa Fe Watershed Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the Santa Fe River and its watershed. The organization works to improve the health of the river, engage the community in stewardship, and promote a sustainable relationship between the city and its primary waterway, which has historically been central to Santa Fe's existence yet often runs dry.

The association engages in river restoration efforts, water quality monitoring, and habitat improvement along the Santa Fe River, working to revive a waterway that has been heavily affected by diversion, development, and drought. Its efforts aim to restore flows, improve riparian habitat, and reconnect the community with the river as a living natural resource.

Education and community engagement are central to the organization's mission. Santa Fe Watershed Association offers programs for students and the public that teach about the watershed, water conservation, and the ecology of the river, fostering an ethic of stewardship. Volunteer events such as cleanups and plantings give community members hands-on opportunities to contribute to the river's health.

The organization also engages in advocacy and partnership work, collaborating with the city, agencies, and other stakeholders on policies and projects affecting the river and watershed. In a region where water is scarce and precious, the health of the Santa Fe River carries both ecological and cultural significance, and the association works to ensure that the river is valued and protected.

By combining restoration, education, advocacy, and community engagement, Santa Fe Watershed Association addresses the many facets of watershed health. Supported by donations, grants, and volunteers, the organization works to ensure that the Santa Fe River and its watershed are healthy, resilient, and able to support both the natural environment and the community that depends on them.