Protecting Our Land and Heritage
Northern New Mexico’s agricultural lands are under threat from increased development, the out-migration of youth from farming families, and the growing impacts of climate change. As properties are subdivided and traditional knowledge is lost, the risk of land abandonment and ecological decline grows. The Working Lands Resiliency Initiative (WLRI) addresses these challenges by supporting land-based livelihoods, preserving cultural heritage, and building resilience against environmental and economic pressures.
WLRI is a collaborative project designed to share conservation and agricultural equipment, resources, expertise, and labor among community organizations and individual members in the Taos region. By pooling tools and knowledge, WLRI aims to strengthen local agriculture, promote sustainable land use, and reinforce the deep-rooted farming traditions of our home.
Harvesting Hope
WLRI seeks to achieve several interconnected outcomes:
- Increase community agricultural knowledge through workshops and mentorship
- Restore and expand healthy, arable land
- Lower barriers to entry for new and beginning farmers
- Reduce costs for land stewards through shared resources and equipment
- Foster greater community engagement, responsibility, and reliability in land stewardship
The initiative directly impacts both the land and the people who care for it. This includes current landowners, farmers, and their families, as well as future generations who will inherit the region’s agricultural legacy. The broader Taos community also benefits from preserved open spaces, a resilient local food system, and the protection of a 400+ year-old acequia irrigation tradition.
Helping Hands
One of the most important aspects of WLRI is the Equipment Rental Program. In an effort to nourish community agriculture, food sovereignty and food security, the Taos Land Trust offers our equipment rental program at a sliding scale fee for use. We ask that all members of our community who are able to pay full price do so, in an effort to support those who lack capital access. We accept donations for this program here (please include a note that your donation is for this program). Each donation helps bring down the cost of the program for all.
Rio Fernando Park
Rio Fernando Park is central to the Working Lands Resiliency Initiative, as a demonstration site and educational hub. At Rio Fernando Park, we are already applying healthy soil practices and traditional flood-irrigation to great success. TLT is committed to increasing our own knowledge of these practices, and sharing this knowledge with our community by offering educational workshops and trainings for community members, especially young people, in traditional and sustainable methods including acequia irrigation and climate resilient agricultural practices. We are humbled to learn from the agricultural communities of Taos.
Get Involved!
- Reach Out: Reach out to the Taos Land Trust or any of the partner organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities, equipment rental, or upcoming workshops.
- Show Up: Join educational events, community meetings, or stewardship projects.
- Share Your Story: WLRI values the experiences of local members and participants. Sharing your story helps build community and inspire others to get involved.
- Support Our Work: Contribute funds or equipment to help sustain the Equipment Rental Program and other WLRI activities. Donations help lower costs for those with limited access to capital.
Working Together
WLRI is a partnership among dedicated individuals and organizations who care deeply about this land, including:
- Tobias Duncan
- Earth L.A.W.S.
- Taos Land Trust
The initiative is generously supported by LOR Foundation, Thornburg Foundation, and The Taos Ski Valley Foundation, an affiliate of The Moore Charitable Foundation.