The photo shows a depleted Rio Puerco. Cottonwood and [Willow]] trees once grew lush along it's banks, but most are gone - the result of centuries of livestock grazing and destructive land management. Known in times past as "The Breadbasket of Northern New Mexico", the Puerco today lacks native stream side vegetation necessary to hold it's banks. Over 50% of the sediment flowing into the Rio Grande comes from this river system.
The Rio Puerco Preserve protects over 1200 acres along a three mile stretch of this river. With the exclusion of livestock, and Forest Guardians restoration efforts, the Preserve is being reclaimed. Cottonwoods and willows now provide a native seed source for the Rio Puerco and support wildlife habitat, showing what this river once looked like - and could be again.
Now, with our efforts, a young streamside forest is thriving, providing habitat for neotropical migratory songbirds and native fish. With a little continued care and help balance will return to this riparian ecosystem.