“Seeing tangible impacts on neighbors, local ecosystems, and watersheds is a bright spot, even when federal progress can feel daunting.”
Recent rollbacks in federal clean water protections, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, left up to 96% of New Mexico’s waterways unprotected. Realizing federal inaction put the water communities and wildlife rely on at risk, New Mexico stepped up. In 2025, the legislature established a framework for a state-run surface water quality permitting program, positioning New Mexico as a model for how states can act decisively when federal protections don’t meet the moment.
Throughout its history, New Mexico Wild has largely been a lands-focused advocacy group. Over the years, that has changed as it has become clear how water touches so much in the environmental space, including lands. That overlap and connection led New Mexico Wild to playing a pivotal role in SB 21, advocating alongside partners like Amigos Bravos and the Western Environmental Law Center. “The state recognized that in such an arid place like New Mexico, water is our most precious resource, and we have to step up to protect it,” says Tricia Snyder, rivers and waters program director at New Mexico Wild. “Establishing this program, in partnership with the communities and people who know these waters best and depend on them, is crucial and cannot be overstated.”
State-level work has become especially relevant as federal gridlock limits opportunities for national progress when it comes to water. Relatively small compared to other states’, New Mexico’s water community relies on collaboration and coalition building to add capacity and ensure diverse perspectives are built into policy solutions. State-level policymaking allows advocates, Tribal nations, and local communities to engage directly in discussions that impact their waters, even when opinions differ. For New Mexico Wild, this focus on community is a source of optimism. “Seeing tangible impacts on neighbors, local ecosystems, and watersheds is a bright spot, even when federal progress can feel daunting,” says Tricia.
Recognizing the intrinsic link between water quality and water quantity, New Mexico Wild also works to restore environmental flows to maintain water levels that support wildlife and communities. By coordinating across state agencies and partnering with local communities, the organization approaches water management through a multi-benefit lens, meeting as many needs as possible with each drop of water. Strategic partnerships with a variety of partners have been essential in this work, underscoring how critical it is to work together on water, a resource that runs through so many different lives and ecosystems.
Consulting Tribal sovereigns is a cornerstone of New Mexico Wild’s approach. These efforts resulted in partnerships with multiple Pueblos that proved critical in the passage of SB 21 .and also made the legislation stronger. By listening to Tribes and offering support without overstepping sovereignty, the organization works to ensure Tribal voices are integrated into advocacy and policy design. “In the same way that local or state governments are stretched thin, it’s even more so for Tribal governments,” says Tricia. “I see it as our role and duty to lighten the load whenever we can.” New Mexico Wild strives to engage Tribal sovereigns and uplift the issues and challenges they care about. “Tribes bring a unique perspective to this work, given that they have cared for and depended on these lands and the waters that sustain them since time immemorial. Their engagement makes solutions for the environment better, stronger, and more lasting.”
The throughline for all of New Mexico Wild’s work is adding capacity and strengthening coalitions by advocating for equitable and collaborative water management, making its partnership with the Water Foundation uniquely valuable. “The Water Foundation is not just a grantmaker — they really understand these issues,” says Tricia. “Our work together walks the perfect line of being supportive and involved while also recognizing partners on the ground have the perspective and context to act.”
Looking ahead, New Mexico Wild has big plans for additional protections to incorporate at the state level to ensure the waterways of the Land of Enchantment are around for future generations and to bring together tools to support environmental flows. From advocating for permitting to protecting rivers and collaborating with communities and Tribes, New Mexico is demonstrating how state-level leadership, guided by equity and community engagement, can safeguard water — and inspire hope — and provide a roadmap for how other organizations can face federal uncertainty.