Rachel Folk, UPWA
Rachel works as a full-time volunteer for the Upper Pecos Watershed Association, and is involved in all the activities of the Association, from grant-writing to outreach and education in Pecos.
I asked Rachel how she became involved with UPWA.
“I was living on the east coast, and I wanted to move west and get involved in environmental work. I heard about the VISTA program (Volunteers in Service to America), and at their website, found job openings listed for New Mexico and around the country. I applied for a position through the Western Hardrock Watershed Team in Durango, which places VISTAs with watershed associations, particularly in rural and historic mining communities. The year-long commitment offers a modest living stipend, a choice between an education award or end-of-service stipend, and benefits.
“Working and volunteering for UPWA has been an invaluable experience- giving me training in watershed coordination, volunteer coordination, and project management.
I’ve written grants, helped establish the Pecos Canyon Collaboration, and I now write a quarterly email and snail-mail newsletter to inform the public about the work of UPWA. This work led to my joining the steering committee for the 2010 NM Watershed Forum, and also receiving GIS training.
“This experience has been rewarding in so many ways and not only do I feel like I am contributing to this community that in many ways seems to be forgotten economically and environmentally but also I have learned and gained so much respect for Pecos and it’s heritage as it relates to the river.”
Appendix UPWA:The Upper Pecos Watershed Association (UPWA) was formed in 2006 as a grassroots nonprofit organization begun by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to address the water quality impairments and the degradation to stream banks and campgrounds by recreational over-use of the Pecos canyon. UPWA’s mission is to protect, maintain, and improve the health of the Pecos River watershed and its local economy and cultures. Since its formation, UPWA has accomplished many important achievements like lobbying for the creation of Pecos Canyon State Park, beginning on-the-ground river restoration work, and authoring a planning document (Upper Pecos Watershed-Based Plan) to help secure future funding and prioritize projects for river restoration. UPWA organizes semi-annual river clean-ups and works with the local schools to educate youth about the importance of clean water and conserving water in New Mexico. UPWA has also received a grant to educate homeowners about the risk of wildfire and study where forest thinning might be beneficial to reduce wildfires. UPWA serves the Pecos watershed including Cow Creek and Bull Creek and all their tributaries from headwaters to where the Pecos River crosses I-25.
Upper Pecos Watershed Association
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