Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
Mission
The mission of the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance is to foster land stewardship to ensure the long-term vitality of the human and natural communities of the Hermit’s Peak region, specifically the Gallinas, Sapello and Tecolote watersheds.
Vision
Our vision is of a land-community that:
- Recognize that our well being depends upon the well-being of the ecosystem of which we are a part,
- Is attentive to the condition of our ecosystem,
- Understands and competently manages human impacts on our ecosystem, through thoughtful individual and community decision-making, and
- Thrives economically, ecologically and culturally now and into the future.
Values
Stewardship over Regulation: Individual awareness and grass roots community engagement are the best tools to achieve our mission and vision. HPWA believes that when individuals are aware of, understand and value the needs of the natural and human community, they will take action to support the vitality of those communities. When a community is involved as an active steward of its ecosystem, a sense of ownership and responsibility for the ecosystem develops.
In contrast, while regulation can effectively define, in technical terms, what actions will sustain both human and natural communities, regulation by itself can divide communities and create a burden of authority and enforcement. HPWA believes regulation is a necessary component to safeguard our communities and ecosystems, but regulation does not, by itself, enable our mission or vision.
Value Indigenous Knowledge. Northern New Mexico is home to a tradition of land stewardship, developed over hundreds of years by Native American, Hispanic and Anglo farmers, foresters and ranchers. Our community includes many individuals and families that maintain land-based lifestyles, and whose well-being is intimately tied to the health of the landscape. We honor and value this heritage of local knowledge, and see it as the foundation of our efforts.
Sound Science and Ecological Principles. In order to take full advantage of current knowledge and provide a sound basis for our actions, we strive to use the best scientifically credible information available in our education, monitoring, assessment, land management and restoration work. Principles of ecology that recognize the interrelated nature and importance of all components of our ecosystems will be applied to our work. Furthermore, we seek the potentially complimentary perspectives of local indigenous knowledge and scientific information to offer a more complete and holistic approach to watershed stewardship.
Goals
Cultivate a Local Land Ethic by:
- Bringing the community together with facilitated watershed conversations
- Education Programs:
· Nature Observation Program & Naturalist Night
· Field Trips for local Schools
· Nature Observation After School Program
· Summer Camps/workshops for young people
· Adult Education on land stewardship practices
"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." – Aldo Leopold
Support Decision making by:
- Monitoring the health of our watersheds:
- Long-term Watershed Monitoring
- Contract Services to do Ecological Monitoring
- Statewide Monitoring – Water Quality Monitoring
- National Monitoring – e.g. Christmas Bird Count, International Migratory Bird Day Count, North American Butterfly Association Count
- Performing Land Condition Assessments for public and private lands
- Providing Information on recommended land management and restoration methods
- Maintaining open communication with public land management organizations
Empower Active Stewardship by:
- Obtaining funding for watershed management and restoration projects
- Maintaining a Directory of Resources (funding, programs, information)
- Provide Planning and Coordination Assistance for watershed management and restoration projects