NMACD Conservation Officers Leadership Training (COLT)
NMACD is very proud to have developed and be administering the “first” NACD Leadership Program.
NMACD has a new initiative and funding from an NACD grant through NRCS to administer a new Leadership Development Program. The goal is to locate "next Generation, younger Supervisors" who have an interest in broadening their horizons to assume greater conservation leadership roles. The grant pays for travel and per diem for these younger Supervisors and a few (maybe 5) younger district employees to attend and participate in designated meetings/ events throughout the year. A COLT member is required to attend and participate in at least half of the meetings or training opportunities. We are proud to report that the program for leaders for the “next generation” is going very well! We have added a few new members and invited the others to continue in the program. We have 13 members who have taken the challenge to be “engaged” and prepare to be the next generation leadership for NM!
COLT Leaders gathered in Raton
Boe Lopez, Camille Graham, Chance Bradley, Kandy Hutchins, Tanya Duncan and Melissa May
Not Pictured: Jimbo Williams, Dee Wear and Jennie Bierner
Some COLT Leaders with NRCS Chief in DC
Casey Spradley, Kendal Wilson, Chief Matt Lohr, Camille Graham, Kandy Hutchins, Josh Smith, Melissa May and Marcos Valdez
Not Pictured: Jimbo Williams, Dee Wear and Jennie Bierner
NEW MEXICO DISTRICT SUPERVISOR
& EMPLOYEE TRAINING
The New Mexico District Supervisor Certification Training Program (Revised 2022) consists of six modules that are relevant to all forty-seven soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), a Training Evaluation form, a list of references with links, and a Glossary of Acronyms. In addition, there are two separate modules, Subdivisions and Watershed Districts, which may not be relevant to all SWCDs but are included as part of the training to take as appropriate.
The training may be taken in an instructor-led class-room style, a Zoom session, or online. The requirements to take the online version are a browser, i.e., Edge (previously known as Internet Explorer, IE, or Google Chrome, a .pdf reader and MS Word.
Each training module includes links that allow the user to review specific information relevant to that module, i.e., New Mexico Soil & Water Conservation District Act, etc. To access a link (shown in blue), place the cursor on the link and press Ctrl+click with the left mouse button. Upon completion of the training, the participant should complete the Training Evaluation form and send it to Linda Hood via email (Linda.Hood@q.com) or by regular mail to her at 1102 Villa Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. If you have any problems accessing the on-line training version, using the links, or have any other questions, contact Linda Hood (505-681-9675) or email her.
ENVIROTHON
The Scat Cats, Hot Springs High’s Envirothon team, has again taken the New Mexico state championship for the 12th straight year and represent New Mexico at the annual international competition.
THE 2024 CURRENT EVENT TOPIC:
Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future
https://envirothon.org/the-competition/current-competition/
WHO IS IT FOR?
This hands-on environmental problem solving competition is for high school students in New Mexico​
Congratulations to the first place winning Scat Cats from Truth or Consequences!!
The 17th Annual NM Envirothon took place in Cloudcroft, NM, April 12th-14th, 2024. Nestled in the Lincoln National Forest,10 teams applied the 5 topics (aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife) to this year's Special Topic, "Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future."
Top 5 NM Teams Overall
1st: Scat Cats, Hot Springs HS
2nd: Earthworms, Navajo Prep
3rd: Los Lobos, Aldo Leopold CS
4th: Camo Creed, Penasco HS
5th: Ranch'd Up, Penasco HS
​Congratulations to the 100+ students, coaches, and volunteers who made this another great year for NM Envirothon.
The 2024 NCF-Envirothon Competition was held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY,
July 28 - August 3. 2024. CONGRATULATIONS to the Scat Cats who took 9th in this
International Competition!!
ROLLING RIVERS TRAILERS
The Rolling Rivers help to teach watershed health and erosion control. These great tools are shown all over the state at fairs, water festivals and school functions. The water trailers enable the teaching of the function of a river system and how drought affects everyone. This hands-on tool allows us to stress conservation, riparian restoration, & river health.
For a list of locations and contacts, click on the Rolling Rivers Water Trailers Brochure link below.