Santa Clara Pueblo Wetland Restoration Project: Making a Difference for Conservation

Audubon New Mexico, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Toyota’s TogetherGreen are working together to shape tomorrow through conservation action.

Empowerment Through EducationAudubon New Mexico implements its popular Birds of Feather Explore Together programs with classes at the Santa Clara Day School. Using birds as the focal point, Birds of a Feather Explore Together students learn about bird behaviors and habitats, with an emphasis on riparian and local bird species, in addition to considering other animals and plants located in the region.

These programs emphasize Audubon’s conservation mission and include both indoor and outdoor ac-tivities. Classroom activities focus on developing the students’ awareness of birds through the use of scientific skills. We conduct a hands-on examination of the four types of bird feathers and establish various stations in each classroom that included nests, eggs, beaks, bones, talons, and real bird specimens.

The investigation of these items, along with guided questions and exploration in their own Bosque along the Rio Grande, enabled students to better understand the adaptive characteristics of birds and how they survive in their habitats.

For more information please contact:

Audubon New Mexico Santa Clara Pueblohttp://nm.audubon.org Forestry Division (505) 983-4609 (505) 753-7326

Santa Clara CreekSanta Clara Pueblo includes diverse natural and cultural resources, including mountains, rivers, farm-lands and historic sites.

Fires in June 1998 and May 2000 damaged over 8,500 acres of Santa Clara Pueblo land. As a result, the water-shed was significantly degraded and half of the Pueblo’s forests were destroyed, negatively impacting one of the most important Pueblo resources: the Santa Clara Creek.

Restoration and ConservationSanta Clara Pueblo has diligently worked on wetland habitat restoration. The cumulative effect of pollution, channelization, and the growth of non-native plants has deeply affected the biodiversity, species habitat and water quality of the Santa Clara Creek. Partnerships with other pueblos, local, state and federal agencies, and groups like Audubon New Mexico help bring healthy habitats back to the Rio Grande and its tributaries.

Progress Along the Rio GrandeThe keystone species: BeaverThe restoration of a riparian environment has the potential to return balance to the ecosystem. In establishing this balance the environmental health of an entire area can depend on the presence of one species. For the Rio Grande habitat this species is the beaver. Beaver dams and ponds raise groundwater levels, filter sediment and toxins, and create habitats for many other plants and animals. Beavers (called Ojo in Tewa) were once plentiful in the Santa Clara Creek. This restoration project aims to bring back beavers and ensure the health of the environment.

Coming TogetherTogetherGreen, a dynamic Audubon initiative funded by Toyota, provides support to communities nationwide in their conservation efforts. This initiative encourages local hands-on environmental action and education and empowerment of the next generation of conservation leaders.