Ciudad SWCD is proud to offer Watershed Stewards, a program designed to educate adults and senior citizen residents in Southern Sandoval County about the all-encompassing importance of local watershed health and engage residents in stewardship opportunities that in turn support a healthy watershed.

In Spring of 2025, Ciudad SWCD, Albuquerque Backyard Refuge Program and Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful provided a series of classes to support residents in creating wildlife friendly yards.

 Ready to start your own backyard refuge  journey at home? Check out these resources!

1. Friends of Valle De Oro ABQ Backyard Refuge Program: https://friendsofvalledeoro.org/abq-backyard-refuge/
2. BernCo Rainwater Harvesting Guide:  https://www.bernco.gov/public-works/public-works-services/water-wastewater-stormwater/residential-rainwater-harvesting-training/residential-rainwater-harvesting-overview/
3. Climate ready trees for Albuquerque and surrounding areas: https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/Climate-Ready-Trees-Report-Nov2020.pdf
4. Brad Lancaster’s site for rainwater harvesting info:   https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/
5.  ABCWUA Xeriscaping:The Complete How-To Guide https://www.abcwua.org/wp-content/uploads/Conservation_Rebates/XeriscapeHowTo_2020_06122020-1.pdf
6. ABCWUA Desert Friendly Landscaping and Irrigation Page  https://www.505outside.com/plants/ 
7. Arid LID Coalition page dedicated to rainwater harvesting for wildlife habitat friendly landscapes https://aridlidcoalition.org/
8. Residential Rainwater Harvesting in the Middle Rio Grande Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559530661603

For questions, comments or suggestions about Watershed Stewards, please contact the program coordinator: erin@ciudadswcd.org

Thank you to our sponsors at the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo and Flood Control Authority and partners!