About Us

Rio Grande Return restores riverscapes and ecosystems unique to the arid Southwest using low-tech and process-based methods to foster resilience, adaptive capacity and stewardship in these important land and water resources.

Founded in 2007, Rio Grande Return has been advocating for the protection of the unique waters, wetlands, and wildlife of the Southwest. Additionally, we have been involved in the development and management of many on-the-ground projects resulting in the protection and restoration of thousands of acres of wetlands throughout New Mexico.

RGR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization registered with the New Mexico Attorney General’s office. Our Federal EIN number is 20-8434393, our NM identification number is 03-132049-00-0 and our UIE with Sam.gov is MQ5PYN5LRRZ1.

To date, RGR has planted more than 500,000 willows and cottonwoods, 2,500 native riparian container plants and 55,000 salt grass plugs; cultivated more than 3,500 lbs of wetland plant seed on hundreds of acres; cleared invasive trees from 400 acres of wetlands; constructed exclosures to protect riparian plantings from cattle and elk browse on 150 acres; erected/repaired 45 miles of wildlife friendly fence; constructed and maintained 4,000 in-stream structures on 20 miles of streams; hosted 200 volunteers/year; installed pond levelers in rural communities to promote beaver co-existence strategies; engaged in erosion control activities to support post-fire restoration; established a native seed propagation farm; focused on strategies for development of native wildlife habitats and refuges on formerly agricultural lands; and administered intern, seasonal and Youth Conservation Corps program offering field work experience to young people. RGR is engaged in or has completed more than 50 projects statewide and currently manages over $6 million in cumulative investments continuing through 2029 as part of an expanding network of federal, state and local organizations. Current efforts reflect our prioritization to scale up restoration practices to achieve functionally impactful landscape-scale outcomes and encourage restorative, ecologically centered uses attuned to climate adaptation and water security.