GRIP is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that draws on local support and private foundations to promote community health and protect our quality of life. Despite our small size, we have taken on some of the largest challenges facing southwestern New Mexico. The High Country News (12/3/01) described us as 'a plucky group of activists' for prodding Phelps Dodge and the state to develop acceptable plans for mine closure and reclamation. We also promote planning, groundwater protection, and free-running rivers in the face of unsustainable development practices. Our approach to these challenges has been to bring technical, policy, and - when necessary - legal expertise to this area and then to combine these resources with an informed and involved public.

Silver City Watershed Keepers Event
May 10th, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at San Vicente Creek

Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP) is holding its spring monitoring event of the Silver City Watershed Keepers (SCWK) in the San Vicente Creek on Thursday, May 10th, 2012, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Volunteers and coordinators will gather at the Silver City Farmers’ Market area between 7th and 8th street along the Big Ditch Park. GRIP’s OSM/VISTA staff member, Claire Catlett will lead local volunteers in testing the water quality of our local stream with guidance from Dave Menzie of the New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau.

The SCWK event is open to the public and will focus on collecting water-quality data at all three sites in the San Vicente Creek.

Volunteers are trained to monitor environmental conditions and parameters, such as temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity, educate community members on environmental issues affecting the watershed and present findings from monitoring efforts.

Monitoring events are held quarterly at three sites along San Vicente Creek at which important data is collected to aid in long-term tracking of environmental quality of the Silver City watershed. Volunteers learn how the quality of surface water is affected by our actions on the land and how we can protect our water resources. Abandoned mine sites, storm water runoff from town, and land management practices in the upper watershed are suspected to impair water quality in the Silver City watershed.

The Silver City Watershed Keepers use their findings to help educate the local community on water quality issues and to foster awareness and stewardship of our water resources. The data is also shared with the New Mexico Environment Department's Surface Water Quality Bureau to aid in long-term management of this stream.

For more information, contact Claire Catlett at the GRIP office at 538-8078 or e-mail claire@gilaresources.info.

1ST ANNUAL SILVER CITY GREENWAYS HIKES
Starting on Saturday, May 5th

In celebration of International Migratory Bird Month, join GRIP and the Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society for the 1st Annual Silver City Greenways Hikes. Local authorities on birding, geology, and ecology will be leading hikes to San Vicente Creek, La Capilla Wetlands, and Boston Hill.

View the Silver City Greenways trails-system map, available as a downloadable pdf brochure.

Check out the schedule below for hike schedules and reservation information if required. For more information or questions, contact Claire Catlett at GRIP claire@gilaresources.info or 575.538.8078.

May 2012 Guided Hikes

• Saturday, May 5th, 7:30am
“Bird Walk” with Brian Dolton along the San Vicente Trail
* Meet-up @ WNMU Fine Arts Parking Lot, Carpool to Trailhead.

• Sunday, May 6th, 12:00pm
“Ecology Hike” with Dave Menzie along the San Vicente Trail
*Meet-up @ Visitors’ Center parking lot on NW corner of Hudson St. & Broadway.

• Saturday, May 12th, 9:00am
“History of Boston Hill” with Joseph Gendron
* Car pool from Spring Street Trailhead parking lot to Market Street trailhead at 8:45 or meet at Market Street trailhead at 9:00.

• Sunday, May 13th, 7:30am
“Bird Walk” with David Beatty at Boston Hill
*By reservation only, call Terry at 575-534-0457.

• Sunday, May 20th, 7:30am
“Nature Walk” with Patricia Taber at La Capilla Wetlands
*Meet-up @ parking lot off Victoria Street behind the Senior Center.

Earth Day at Gough Park
Saturday, April 21st

Some 50 local organizations and businesses joined in for a day of fun and celebration of Mother Earth. Entertainment, food, and activities were all a part of this year's event at Gough Park.

Music by the Fiddling Club, Greg Renfro, The Silver City String Beans, and Andrew Dahl-Bredine's African Drummers, as well as emcee Kyle Johnson of Gila Mimbres Community Radio, kept the atmosphere lively and fun; with a special appearance by Safe Route To School's Jamie Thomson and Andrew Teagarden.

A special thanks is deserved to all of the community members who made it out to celebrate with us in the park!

Also, congratulations to our very own Allyson Siwik, who was named the Great Old Broads Woman of Wilderness (WOW) for 2012.

Earth Day E-Waste Collection
Saturday, April 21st, 2012

The third annual Earth Day electronic waste collection was held on April 21, 2012. The Town of Silver City Office of Sustainability and Gila Resources Information Project sponsored the annual celebration of Earth Day in the downtown Gough Park and collected electronics and other recyclable items in an adjacent parking lot. The recycling was also sponsored by Southwest Solid Waste Authority and Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold, Inc.

Over 200 residents of Grant County took the opportunity to safely dispose of all their old electronic equipment which will be processed by UNICOR and reused or recycled. This also provided an opportunity for several local institutions including the Town of Silver City, Cobre School District, and Gila Regional Medical Center to recycle their old electronics. A total of about 50,000 pounds of electronics was transported to Tucson for processing and included 439 CRT monitors and TVs.

GROUNDWATER RESTORATION PROJECTS MOVE AHEAD: San Vicente Creek Tailings to be disposed of at FMI’s Tyrone mine
by Allyson Siwik, Executive Director
4/11/12

In January, the New Mexico Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) released its final restoration plan for groundwater damages at the Freeport-McMoRan (FMI) Chino, Cobre and Tyrone mines. It includes full removal and clean up of the San Vicente Mill tailings, a priority restoration project for which GRIP has long advocated.

Because of the high cost of transportation and disposal of the material to an out-of-state disposal site, GRIP encouraged FMI and federal and state regulatory authorities to work together to develop a plan to allow for disposal of San Vicente tailings material at one of the local FMI mines, thus significantly cutting down on the total costs of the clean up. At press time, Freeport was working through the final details for accepting San Vicente material at the Tyrone mine.

“This is great news,” stated GRIP Executive Director Allyson Siwik. “We’re very pleased that Freeport has agreed to accept tailings material at their mine site. This will save a significant amount of money and allow for that funding to be spent on other important groundwater restoration projects here in Grant County.” It is unclear at present what the costs savings will be. According to the Groundwater Restoration Plan, the Bayard Wastewater Treatment Plant Reuse Project and Hurley Sewer Line Replacement are on the ONRT’s Tier 1 list for the second round of funding and will be considered once the first-round projects are implemented. Minimizing the costs for round one means that there will be funds left over for round-two projects.

In addition to the San Vicente Tailing Clean-up under the Tier 1 list for the first round of funding, the Office of the Natural Resource Trustee is moving ahead with intergovernmental agreements for the Silver City North/Blackhawk Sewer Line Replacement and two projects with Santa Clara for wellhead protection and sewer improvements.

COURT APPROVES SETTLEMENT OF MINERELATED WILDLIFE, ECOSYSTEM DAMAGE: FMI must pay $5.5-million, transfer land to city of rocks
By Allyson Siwik, Executive Director
4/11/12

After more than ten years of discussions with state and federal officials to keep the pressure on regarding the natural resource damage claim against Freeport-McMoRan (FMI), a settlement was reached between the company and state and federal governments on compensation for wildlife and ecosystem damages caused by mining activities at the FMI-owned Chino, Cobre, and Tyrone mines. Terms require FMI to pay $5.5-million in damages, transfer 715 acres of grassland to the City of Rocks State Park, and pay $59,750.99 to the Department of Interior (DOI) for related assessment costs. This settlement is in addition to the $13-million paid by the company in 2011 to settle groundwater damages caused by its mines. The consent decree was approved in U.S. District Court in February.

The settlement of damages is the result of a complaint brought by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the DOI, New Mexico Office of Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT), and New Mexico Attorney General against FMI for natural resource damages to wildlife and wildlife habitat that occurred from hazardous releases from the Chino, Cobre, and Tyrone mines.

The ONRT and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will draft a restoration plan that will outline potential projects to restore wildlife and wildlife habitat. “Since the wildlife resource injuries that occurred as a result of the release of hazardous substances from the mines relate specifically to birds”, explained Rebecca Neri Zagal, Executive Director of the ONRT, “the focus of the restoration effort will be on projects that provide benefits to birds and the habitat that supports them.”

ONRT, in conjunction with USFWS, will facilitate an informal scoping process to solicit potential projects for the restoration plan/environmental assessment. An informational meeting will be held from 9 to 11:30 am on May 30 at the Silver City Annex Building (1203 N. Hudson; do not park in bank lot) to answer questions about this process. If you would like to submit a project for consideration, ideas are due June 30, 2012. More information is posted at http://www.onrt.state.nm.us/ChinoCobreTyrone.html.

VISTA UPDATE: MEET CLAIRE CATLETT, GRIP’S NEWEST STAFFER
by Richard Mahler, Newsletter Editor
4/11/12

It didn’t take long for GRIP’s new VISTA staffer to discover Boston Hill, the mining district turned municipal open space that looms above Silver City.

“I’m a trail runner,” explains Claire Catlett, who arrived in early March to succeed Dan Hintz upon completion of his one-year assignment. (Dan plans to pursue graduate studies in Environmental Economics during fall 2013. We thank him for his service and wish him well.)

Gazing down from the hill, Catlett can trace San Vicente Creek, an important focus of her work in coming months. “We’re looking forward,” she says, “to the removal of tailings from the old mill works along the creek and further upgrading of the San Vicente trail system.” Funds provided under the recent ONRT-directed settlement (see related story on this page) will pay for the longsought remediation.

During her year-long position at GRIP, Catlett expects to build on previous groundwork: promoting environmental education in local schools, coordinating the Silver City Watershed Keepers, and helping to organize July’s Big Ditch Day and September’s Gila River Festival. She hopes to do considerable grant writing so that GRIP can secure funds to continue and expand such endeavors when its three-year VISTA contract expires at the end of next February.

“I’d like to get more support for some of our programs,” she says, “and greater involvement among students at local public schools and WNMU.” In addition, Catlett seeks expanded coordination with area hiking and arts groups as well as government agencies for such projects as trail upgrades, youth education, and habitat restoration.

“I’m a filter for new ideas,” she says. “I want to hear from anyone who has suggestions for things they think we should be working on.”

Catlett grew up in Virginia and graduated from that state’s Roanoke College with a B.A. in International Relations. She went on to earn an M.A. in International Development from Colorado’s University of Denver. Catlett completed a Boulder internship with the Global Greengrants Fund. The latter, she explains, helps funnel money to non-profit grassroots organizations around the world.

Catlett has volunteered in the realm of hunger issues and urban gardening. She describes herself as eager to foster “a bright, more just, and verdant future for local communities and our nation alike.”

And while GRIP’s newest staffer enjoys the trails and open space of Boston Hill, she agrees that “the century of mining activity really took a toll.”

Those interested in volunteering for current GRIP projects under Catlett’s direction, such as the Silver City Watershed Keepers, are invited to contact her at claire@gilaresources. info or by calling 575.538.8078.

"GASLAND" Film at The Silco Theatre
Friday, April 20th, 7:00 p.m.

A special Earth Day film showing of Josh Fox's award-winning documentary, "GASLAND," with an introdution by Tricia Snyder, Las Cruces Coordinator for Food & Water Watch. The film's showing is sponsored by GRIP; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Great Old Broads for Wilderness;and Upper Gila Watershed Alliance. Suggested donation for admission is $5.00.

Silver City Greenways Guide Available
2/24/12

Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society has published a “Greenways” brochure describing the hiking trails, history and bird life in three Silver City walking trails. These “Greenways” are San Vicente Creek, Boston Hill and La Capilla Wetlands.

In addition to maps of the trails for each area, the full-color brochure is also graced with photographs and interesting information about each area. The brochure also lists some of the more commonly sighted birds that may be seen along the trails.

The “Greenways” brochure will be available at Audubon meetings at Harlan Hall on the campus of WNMU the first Friday of every month. Copies can also be obtained at the GRIP office at 305A N. Cooper, the Silver City Visitor’s Center, Museum and Library. It is also available as a downloadable PDF.

The brochure was produced by local members of Audubon and Gila Resources Information Project and made possible with funding from National Audubon Society.

ONRT Budget Update
2/17/12

Thanks to all of you who contacted Senator Howie Morales and Representative Rudy Martinez to encourage them to work with the legislature this session to restore $1.5M in funding to the Office of the Natural Resources Trustee budget for groundwater restoration projects.

As you recall, in 2011 the legislature inappropriately diverted $1.5M of the $13M in funding from a settlement of mine-related groundwater damages between Freeport-McMoRan and the state. Instead of funding important groundwater restoration projects here in Grant County, such as much needed sewer infrastructure in North Hurley, Hanover-Fierro and Silver City, the money went to the Attorney General's office for water rights litigation on the Lower Rio Grande in the Las Cruces area.

GRIP worked closely throughout the session with Senator Morales to include restoration of these funds in the state budget. Our attempts were unsuccessful, however, despite the merits of our case.

GRIP is assessing other avenues for getting this money back so that it can be used for its intended purpose -- restoration of groundwater in Grant County to compensate the public for groundwater damages caused by the mines.

We will continue to inform you of our progress.

Thanks so much for your support on this issue. We aren't giving up!

Development of Water Quality Regulation for Copper Mining Industry
1/25/12

The NM Environment Department kicked off today the first meeting of the Copper Regulation Advisory Committee, a multi-stakeholder group that will be advising the Department on water quality regulations for the copper mining industry. GRIP President and director of Responsible Mining, Sally Smith, and Rachel Conn of Amigos Bravos are representing the environmental community on this committee.

NMED has set up a website for the regulatory development process. The current schedule plans for public meetings in Albuquerque and Silver City the latter part of August 2012 with a public hearing before the Water Quality Control Commission in September and adoption of the regulation by the end of the year.

Action Alert!
Help us restore $1.5 million for Grant County groundwater restoration projects
1/24/12

We need your help to get $1.5 million in groundwater damage settlement funding restored to the Office of the Natural Resources Trustee that was improperly appropriated by the legislature to the Attorney General's office for Rio Grande water rights litigation, taking money away from needed groundwater projects here in Grant County.

GRIP's guest commentary on Heath Haussamen's nmpolitics.net explains how important wastewater and sewer projects in the Mining District and Silver City could have been funded had this money not been diverted elsewhere. The text of the article is included below.

Please contact Senator Howie Morales and Representative Rudy Martinez to encourage them to work with the legislature this session to restore $1.5M to the Office of the Natural Resources Trustee budget for needed groundwater projects in Grant County.

Points you could make:

• Legislature improperly directed settlement funding outside of Grant County, the location in which the groundwater damages occurred from mining activity;
• Grant County will forever be dealing with the legacy of mining and should be fully compensated for the groundwater damages caused by mining activities;
• $9.5 million in wastewater and sewer projects have been approved in the final groundwater restoration plan and could be partially funded if this $1.5 million were restored.

Senator Howie Morales - email capitol phone (505) 986-4863
Representative Rudy Martinez - email capitol phone (505) 986-4235

NMpolitics.net Guest Commentary: Restore funding for groundwater projects in Grant County
by Allyson Siwik 1/23/12

For more than a century, hard-rock mining has been a driver of economic development in Southwestern New Mexico, but not without significant environmental impact to the area's landscapes, water and air quality, wildlife and ecosystems. Since a chance inspection back in 2000 turned up 200 bird carcasses in the acidic waters of tailings ponds at the Tyrone open pit copper mine outside Silver City, state and federal agencies have pursued a natural-resource damage claim against Freeport-McMoRan (formerly Phelps Dodge), the largest publicly-traded copper company in the world.

Extending across 20,743 acres, groundwater contamination at Freeport's three mines, Chino, Cobre and Tyrone, will need to be pumped and treated forever to contain the existing plumes of heavy metals, sulfates, and other pollutants and prevent migration of contamination to aquifers and drinking water wells that would pose a health and safety risk for Grant County residents. Soils and creeks in the vicinity of the mines also have been contaminated, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

The New Mexico Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) and Freeport reached a $13 million settlement in December 2010 for groundwater damages caused by the mines. According to the consent decree, settlement funds are to be used by ONRT "to plan and implement projects designed to restore, replace, rehabilitate, and/or acquire the equivalent of ground water resources allegedly injured, destroyed, or lost as a result of the release of hazardous substances and non-hazardous substances at or from the Sites."

In signing the consent decree, the ONRT also agreed "to solicit public review and comment on the Restoration Plan and in no event will any project proceed without the publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the vicinity of the Sites of the opportunity to review the proposed project and submit comments on the proposal to the Trustee."

To read the rest of this article, click here.

US Department of Justice, NM Office of Natural Resources Trustee and Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. Reach Settlement on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Damages Caused by Chino, Cobre and Tyrone Mines
Company to pay $5.5M in damages and transfer 715 acres of grassland to City of Rocks State Park

1/9/12

The NM Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) announced the availability of a draft consent decree that settles a complaint brought by the US Department of Justice on behalf of the Department of Interior, NM ONRT, and NM Attorney General against Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. (FMI) for natural resource damages to wildlife and wildlife habitat that occurred from hazardous releases from the Chino, Cobre and Tyrone mines. Once approved by the US District Court for the District of New Mexico after a 30-day public comment period, the settlement requires FMI to pay the US Department of Interior (DOI) $5.5 million in natural resource damages, transfer 715 acres of grassland owned by Chino mines to the City of Rocks State Park, and pay $59,750.99 to the DOI for related assessment costs.

GRIP Board President and Director of Responsible Mining, Sally Smith, stated "GRIP is pleased with this long-awaited settlement of ecosystem and wildlife damages caused by releases of hazardous materials from the Chino, Cobre and Tyrone mines. We look forward to working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and ONRT to develop a restoration plan to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of natural resources that were damaged by FMI mining activities since 1981. This is a major opportunity to achieve significant ecological benefit in southwestern New Mexico and compensate the public for these extensive wildlife and ecological losses."

According to the consent decree, the complaint alleges that "natural resources, including, but not limited to, surface waters, ground water, terrestrial habitat and terrestrial receptors, and migratory birds, have been injured as a result of releases of hazardous substances at and from the Sites; as a result thereof, the public has suffered the loss of natural resources and associated services; and Plaintiffs have incurred costs in connection with the assessment of such injuries, destruction or losses."

"This settlement follows an investigation by the Trustees of alleged natural resource injuries related to the release of hazardous substances into the environment at and from the Sites, due at least in part from acid rock drainage, process solutions, smelter emissions, windblown materials, wastes, non-waste materials, and from other areas, sources, and operations at and in the vicinity of the Sites. The Trustees have evaluated potential impacts to natural resources....These included geological (e.g.,terrestrial and riparian soils, aquatic sediments), biological (e.g., aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial ecosystems), and hydrological resources..."

The 30-day public comment period began January 6 and ends February 6. The public may submit comments to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and either emailed to pubcomment-ees-enrd@usdoj.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611, and should refer to United States and State of New Mexico v. Freeport-McMoran Corp. et al., Case No.1:11-cv-1140 (D. N.M.), D.J. Ref. 90-11-3-08069.

Download documents:
Consent Decree
Complaint
Federal Register Notice

NM Office of Natural Resources Trustee Releases Final Restoration Plan for Groundwater Damages at Chino, Cobre and Tyrone Mines
Full Removal and Clean Up of San Vicente Tailings Selected for Funding

1/6/12

The New Mexico Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) released its final restoration plan for groundwater damages at the Freeport-McMoRan Chino, Cobre and Tyrone mines. The final plan "identifies those restoration projects which would best compensate the public for injuries to groundwater resources that resulted from the release of hazardous substances from the three mines." The final restoration plan outlines $10.9M in projects: full offsite removal of San Vicente Creek Mill tailings; Santa Clara Wellhead Protection; Santa Clara Gravity Sewer Improvements; and Silver City North/Blackhawk Sewer Line Extension; Bayard Waste Water Treatment Plant Reuse Project; and Hurley Sewer Line Replacement.

Since a chance inspection in 2000 found at least 100 birds had died in and around the Tyrone tailings pond, both the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Mexico ONRT investigated violations by Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc of the Natural Resource Damage provisions of the federal Superfund law.ONRT and Freeport-McMoRan reached a $13M settlement in December 2010 for damages to groundwater resources caused by release of hazardous substances such as copper and heavy metals at the Chino, Cobre and Tyrone mines. The areal extent of groundwater damages at the three mines is a total of 20,743 acres.

The final restoration plan represents "a diverse, regional portfolio of groundwater restoration projects that would yield maximum benefits to regional groundwater resources and are consistent with current approaches to regional water planning in the area," according to the final restoration plan.

"Because full offsite removal of the San Vicente tailings provides the best long-term restoration and protection of groundwater and surface water in San Vicente Creek, GRIP is very excited that this project is slated for restoration plan funding," stated Executive Director Allyson Siwik. "Clean-up of this site has been a priority for citizens concerned with leaching and runoff of heavy metals, contaminating soils, groundwater and surface water. Full removal of tailings materials from the area clears the way for redevelopment of the Silver City River Walk and enhanced recreational opportunities in San Vicente Creek."

Other projects to be funded include sewer line extension and improvements in Silver City and the Mining District, protection of drinking water supplies in Santa Clara and reuse of treated water from the new Bayard Wastewater Treatment Plant that would conserve 155 acre-feet of groundwater annually.

"GRIP remains disappointed that $1.5M of the $13M in ONRT/FMI settlement funds was appropriated by the legislature in 2011 for Rio Grande water rights litigation through the Attorney General's office and is unavailable to fund restoration projects in the area in which groundwater damages occurred," explained Siwik. "While GRIP has no comment on the merits of that case, we believe that this is an inappropriate use of settlement funds under the federal Superfund law. There is $9.5 M in Tier 2 projects identified in the restoration plan that could be partially funded if this money had been available, including the Hanover-Fierro Wastewater Collection and Disposal System, North Hurley Sewer Line Extension, Silver City Indian Hills Sewer Line Extension, and Silver City Ridge Road East Sewer Line Extension."

GetAGRIP NEWSLETTER
Fall '11

Page 1:San Vicente Creek Monitoring and Upgrades Keep Moving Forward; Mining Update: FMI Going Ahead with Plan to Resume Operations at Cobre Mine; $11 - Million Grant County Water Restoration Plan Near Completion
Page 2:Range of Arizona Water Settlement Projects Narrows as Deadline Apporoaches
Page 3:NM 2012 Legislative Session Begins Jan. 12; San Vicente (cont'd from p. 1)
Page 4:Married to the Mines: Global Copper Prices and More; Cobre (cont'd from p.1); Themac Seeks to Reopen Hillsboro's Copper Flat Mine, Despite Protests
Page 5:VVREE Weatherization Survey Confirms Savings of Money and Energy; VVREE by the Numbers; GRIP and GCC are on Facebook
Page 6:New Bilingual Viva Verde Guide Now Available in Hard Copy; Green Jobs Class Introduces Aldo Leopold High School Students to Careers in the Green Economy
Page 7:Gila Wood Products Demonstrates Benefits of 'Zerosion' at Slate Mine; Restoration (cont'd from p.1); Please Renew Your Membership
Page 8:Calendar of Upcoming Events

Introduction to Green Jobs Curriculum: NOW AVAILABLE!

The emerging green economy represents a tremendous opportunity for economic development and job creation in New Mexico. Given New Mexico’s significant renewable energy resources, range of incentives and progressive laws, the state is well positioned to experience significant job growth in a number of green industry sectors. The American Solar Energy Association estimates that 237,000 new jobs could be created in New Mexico in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors by 2020. How do we develop a well-trained workforce to meet future demand for these jobs, many of which are new and emerging?

Building capacity for green jobs workforce education and training is a prerequisite for development of a green economy in New Mexico. With funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, GRIP developed the Introduction to Green Jobs curriculum to build capacity for green jobs training and education for high school students in environmental justice communities in New Mexico that will equip students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to compete for employment in the growing green jobs sector. The curriculum achieves this goal through creation of a collaborative structure that will support and guide transition from high school to post-secondary training for green jobs for low-income students in New Mexico. The curriculum provides resources to improve access to skills development opportunities in green jobs and overall will strengthen the education pipeline to green careers.

Download the Introduction to Green Jobs Curriculum

Summertime Fun at GRIP!

8/4/2011

July was a busy and exciting month for GRIP. Besides the highly anticipated onset of monsoon season, GRIP was delighted to collaborate on a number of projects and events around Silver City. GRIP VISTA staffer Dan Hintz worked with The Wellness Coalition to host a week long Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) crew focusing on watershed education and stewardship projects in San Vicente Creek. Dan also led a hike for The Wellness Coalition’s Young Leaders Environmental Education day. These events were great opportunities for GRIP to educate the youth in the community about their natural resources.

Dan and the YVC crew spent time conducting water monitoring in San Vicente Creek with GRIP’s new monitoring equipment, visited the Silver City Museum “Flood Season” exhibit, went on a San Vicente Creek scavenger hunt and picked up trash in the Big Ditch in preparation for Big Ditch Day. The crew enjoyed learning about the Silver City Watershed and San Vicente Creek while at the same time putting in work to collect valuable data about their water resources and make sure their creeks and parks remained trash free. The group ended their week together with a reflection activity where they drew pictures displaying their newfound conceptions and appreciation of their water resources.

While the YVC crew was a great example of how kids can play a big part in stewarding our natural resources, GRIP also helped organize a volunteer trash clean up in Silva Creek with seven adult volunteers. The volunteers spent two hours picking up garbage in and around Silva Creek between Highway 180 and 12th Street. Organizers of the event Dan Hintz and Nancy Cliff hope this is the start of regular trash clean up stewardship events in Silva Creek.

Last, but certainly not least, GRIP, along with Silver City MainStreet Project, Gila Conservation Education Center and the Silver City Museum, helped organize and host the first annual Big Ditch Day Festival. Big Ditch Day was held on Saturday, July 23rd in the Big Ditch Park and offered visitors guided hikes, educational stations, vendors, arts and crafts and music. The event celebrated the history of the Big Ditch, emphasizing the park’s connection with historic downtown Silver City. GRIP had a table at the event and showed off its brand new water monitoring equipment and recruited members to the Silver City Watershed Keepers. The first Big Ditch Day was a great success and brought many people down into the park and the ditch itself!

July has wound down, but GRIP hopes to keep this momentum going! If you are interested in future GRIP or Silver City Watershed Keepers stewardship events, please contact Dan Hintz at dan@gilaresources.info or at 575-538-8078. Also, GRIP encourages you to support the continuing efforts of these programs by making a secure, online donation on the GRIP website.

Poodwaddle.com