La Mancha Wetlands Restoration Project
History
The Southwest Environmental Center (SWEC) first began digging the pond for La Mancha Restoration Project (La Mancha for short) in 2010, after years of fighting to secure state legislature funding and land access alongside the Rio Grande. SWEC’s original intention was to restore habitat for wildlife, especially fish, whose populations were suffering due to water diversion for agriculture. When the irrigation season ends and the Rio Grande runs dry in southern New Mexico, fish have no place to go. SWEC was able to purchase a small property and began digging the pond. Upon digging, they realized they were dealing with a concrete dump site! Over a decade of community preservation has made La Mancha a haven for countless species—birds, bats, fish, and humans alike. SWEC handed the baton off to Nuestra Tierra in 2022, and we became the non-profit stewards of this project.
Learn about the history of La Mancha from the youtube video and story map on the right!
“La Mancha Project” by Sergio Delgado.
Visit
La Mancha Wetlands Restoration Project is located in Dona Aña County, and bordered by private land and federal land managed by the International Boundary and Water Commission - U.S. Section (IBWC). The Wetlands are on the west side of the Rio Grande between I-10 and Calle del Norte Bridges.
To visit search “La Mancha Wetlands Restoration” in google maps!
La Mancha Wildlife
La Mancha Wildlife
Thank you James VonLoh for the photos!
Want to Volunteer at La Mancha?
La Mancha Wetlands Restoration Project is run by volunteers! Whether its irrigating trees, developing native plant gardens, making signage, or helping with a clean up event, La Mancha needs volunteers. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out the form below and we will contact you with more information on how to get involved.
