Harvey Jones Bioswale before and after restoration.
Restoring Wetlands, Protecting the Rio Grande
The Harvey Jones Bioswale is a powerful example of how green infrastructure can work with nature to protect our waterways. This innovative project filters stormwater runoff before it reaches the Rio Grande, capturing pollutants and improving water quality, all while restoring vibrant wetland habitat.
Located in an arroyo that drains to the river, the bioswale supports over 10 acres of thriving wetlands, complete with public trails and wildlife viewing areas. In 2022, Rio Grande Return led an ambitious restoration effort, removing invasive plant species and planting more than 35,000 willows and 100 cottonwoods along the channel. These native species now form a dynamic mosaic of wetland habitat, providing vital resources for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
The Harvey Jones Bioswale is a model of what’s possible when communities and agencies work together. The project brought together a wide range of partners, including: The Nature Conservancy, Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority, Village of Corrales, City of Rio Rancho, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Ancestral Lands Program of Conservation Legacy, AMREP, and Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority. Rio Grande Return served as an influential liaison – coordinating partners, aligning efforts, and helping ensure a unified and successful project from planning through implementation.
The Harvey Jones Bioswale has received widespread praise and media attention, with all partners recognized for their vital contributions. See the transformation:
- A beautifully produced PBS video, showcasing aerial and on-the-ground views during the restoration. Watch the PBS video here.
- Feature stories in the Albuquerque Journal and the Santa Fe Reporter, capturing the project’s ecological and community impact. Read the full stories here: Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe Reporter.
Thanks to the Albuquerque Journal and to the Santa Fe Reporter for sharing lovely articles on our recent planting project along the Harvey Jones Channel in Corrales.
Thanks also to PBS for the video below showing what implementation looks like (and showing neat aerial footage of the site!). Finally, thanks to Sarah Hurteau and The Nature Conservancy for bringing us on for this unique project, and to our friends with the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps for laboring with us on it.