Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance

The most significant education project was to employ train and guide eleven 14-25 year olds in post-fire watershed restoration for the summer of 2025. This education and workforce development was done with support from the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission. This was our third year in carrying out this YCC project. With state funding from the Outdoor Equity Program we conducted youth nature appreciation and outdoor recreation programs for a group of middle school students. Education included birding macroinvertebrate identification and ecology and flyfishing. Other education programs featured the development and distribution of a series of videos on Post-Fire Restoration techniques including erosion control reforestation and reseeding with herbaceous plants. These are available to the public.

Seven private landowners were assisted with post-fire land restoration work with private contracts. Very few contractors exist in our area to assist private landowners with watershed restoration needs. We began providing this service in 2024.