Steve Kadas Accepts Chapter Award
Left to right Craig Cox, Steve Kadas, Theo Dillaha
The New Mexico Chapter was nominated for a Chapter Achievement Award for sponsoring the Riparian Restoration in the Southwest Workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to provide training and information on restoring western riparian areas to healthy conditions through planning, control, restoration and management. The goals of the workshop were to build partnerships and encourage collaboration between landowners, organizations, government agencies, and neighboring states to control salt cedar and other invasive plants. Most of the 185 participants were responsible to their organizations for riparian restoration yet had little or no experience or knowledge. This event provided a foundation for their work and introduced them to the experts. Evaluations showed that 85% of the attendees thought the workshop was valuable and want to have a similar workshop in 18 months. Steve accepted the award for the chapter at the 2007 International Conference, which was held in Tampa, Florida.
 

Chapter Wins Award
The Board of Directors of the Soil and Water Conservation Society has named the New Mexico Chapter as recipient of the 2006 Chapter Achievement Award. This award is based on our successful "Ripariarn Restoration in the Southwest Workshop", held in March 2006. This award will be presented at the Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, July 24 at noon during the 2007 Annual Conference, in Tampa, Florida. Steve Kadas, Chapter President will accept the award for the chapter.
 

Riparian Restoration Conference

March 1 - 2, 2006

Corinne Brooks and Ondrea Hummel

Convention Center Ballroom Presentation

Ken Leiting and Brent Bason

Salt Cedar thicket

Treated area

Riparian Workshop Hits a Home Run
By Steve Kadas


The SW Riparian Restoration Workshop, hosted by the NM SWCS Chapter was a winner. The event was held at the Albuquerque Convention Center on March 1-2. 185 people attended, mostly from NM, but many also came from AZ, CO, TX, UT, and WY. Topics addressed native plant re-vegetation, tamarisk control, and riparian management. Attendants received a restoration reference notebook and CD. A tour to the Santo Domingo tamarisk control project was held on February 29.

The workshop was a success due to the dedication of many players. Corinne Brooks, Chapter President and leader of the planning committee said, "The great success of the workshop was due to the commitment of our chapter members, partners and presenters". Chapter members like Jean Foster, Paul Vainio, Linda Scheffe, Ken Leiting, Mike Sporcic and Steve Kadas played key roles. Special thanks to out devoted co-host Ondrea Hummel and Denise Smith of the NM Riparian Council.

Many thanks to our financial sponsors, the NM Association of Conservation Districts, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Their support was a vital and very much appreciated.