What a Conservation District Is
New Mexico's soil and water conservation districts, or SWCDs, are local units of government created under the Soil and Water Conservation District Act (NMSA 1978, 73-20-25 through 73-20-48). The New Mexico Department of Agriculture says 47 SWCDs cover most of the state, and each is governed by a board of supervisors drawn from local landowners and residents. Seven watershed districts are also active; they form to conserve or manage water, for example through flood prevention and erosion control, and can span one or more SWCDs.
The Coronado SWCD, which serves eastern Sandoval County, is blunt about the limits: districts advise on conservation and "do not have the authority or capability to enforce laws or regulations." Think of your district as a neighbor with maps, contacts and a seat at the table, not as an inspector.
What Districts Can Do
The statute summaries in a legislative handout say the policy is to control and prevent soil erosion, prevent floodwater and sediment damage, and further the conservation and proper disposal of water. Districts may:
- Conduct research and surveys and publish the findings.
- Demonstrate conservation methods on land, with the landowner's or agency's consent.
- Develop comprehensive natural resource plans.
- Act as agents for state or federal agencies on conservation projects.
- Construct, operate or maintain projects needed for their work.
- Provide tools, equipment, fertilizer and seed to landowners on terms the supervisors set.
In practice, what a district offers depends on its staff, grants and local needs. Nothing in the sources we read promises the same menu in every county, so call before you assume.
An Example: Valencia SWCD
The Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District was formed May 1, 1947 and covers about 1,438,000 acres: all of Valencia County, a small part of northern Socorro County, and Isleta and Laguna Pueblos. Its listed programs include the Healthy Soil Program, a soils testing program, financial assistance for applicants, the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area in Belen, NM Envirothon, a Master Naturalist program, a wildland seed harvesting pilot, an urban garden program and GIS mapping. You can reach it at (505) 864-8914. Not every district is this busy, but it shows how far a locally run district can stretch.
Who Runs Your District
Per Coronado SWCD, a board has five to seven supervisors. Positions 1 through 4 must be resident landowners in the district; position 5 must live in the district but need not own land; positions 6 and 7 are optional and appointed by the board. Supervisors serve four-year terms and are not paid. The Valencia board is a seven-member volunteer board with five elected and two appointed members. Supervisors hire staff, keep records, adopt rules, hold at least one regular meeting each month and send an annual report to the state commission, per the legislative handout.
Districts are public bodies, so meetings are where you can raise a problem, ask about a program or find out how to run for a seat. Ask your district for its election notice, since we did not find a statewide election calendar.
The State Commission and NMDA
Above the districts sits the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. According to NMDA, it has seven members appointed by the governor: six district supervisors, one from each of NMDA's six regions, and one at large. Five ex-officio members without a vote include representatives of NMSU Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station, the NRCS state conservationist and the president of the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts. The commission approves the point-system spreadsheet used to distribute funding and awards annual water quality and conservation grants through a request-for-proposal process. NMDA programs related to districts include the Healthy Soil Program, Noxious Weeds, Rangeland and Grazing Lands, and the Acequia and Community Ditch Fund.
How Districts Are Funded
Money is modest. Coronado SWCD reports that the state provides a small amount of operating funds, enough for a 0.10 FTE district manager, office costs, training and in-state travel. Districts can also receive grants, legislative capital outlays and fundraising income, and some New Mexico districts have a mill levy (Coronado does not). Sandoval County provides Coronado's office and meeting space. Under the statute, a district with annual revenue of $500,000 or more must have an annual audit; smaller ones file a financial report under state auditor rules.
How to Find and Contact Your District
- Start at the NMDA soil and water districts page, which points to a Districts page and a map showing districts and regions.
- If you cannot tell which district covers your land, NMDA's main office in Las Cruces can help: (575) 646-3007, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch 12 to 1.
- Ask the district about meeting dates, grants, soil testing, seed, equipment and any cost-share it knows of.
- Bring a map or legal description of your property and a clear description of the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conservation districts does New Mexico have?
NMDA says 47 soil and water conservation districts cover most of the state, plus seven active watershed districts.
Can a district fine me or enforce rules?
No. Coronado SWCD says districts do not have the authority to enforce laws or regulations.
Are supervisors paid?
No. Coronado SWCD says supervisors serve without monetary pay.
Do I have to own land to serve?
Not for every seat. Position 5 need only live in the district, per Coronado SWCD, though positions 1 through 4 must be resident landowners.
New Mexico Listings Covered by This Guide
- Caballo Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the Caballo reservoir area of Sierra County, the Caballo SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District
Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering Carlsbad in the Pecos Valley and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Carrizozo Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the Carrizozo area of the Tularosa and Three Rivers country, the Carrizozo SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Central Curry Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, Central Curry SWCD serves landowners in central Curry County on the high plains on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - Chaves Soil and Water Conservation District
The Chaves district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in the Roswell and Pecos Valley area with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the Claunch and Pinto basin of Torrance County, the Claunch-Pinto SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Colfax Soil and Water Conservation District
Colfax Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering Colfax County in the northern mountains and plains and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Coronado Soil and Water Conservation District
Coronado Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering the Coronado area of Sandoval County and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Cuba Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the Cuba area of the San Pedro and Jemez region, the Cuba SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - De Baca Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, De Baca SWCD serves landowners in De Baca County around Fort Sumner on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - Deming Soil and Water Conservation District
The Deming district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in the Deming and Mimbres Basin area with soil and water stewardship.
NM - East Rio Arriba Soil and Water Conservation District
East Rio Arriba Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering the eastern part of Rio Arriba County and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering eastern Torrance County, the East Torrance SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, Edgewood SWCD serves landowners in the Edgewood area east of the Sandia Mountains on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - Grant Soil and Water Conservation District
The Grant district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in Grant County near Silver City with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Guadalupe Soil and Water Conservation District
Guadalupe Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering Guadalupe County and the Santa Rosa area and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Hagerman Dexter Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district covering Hagerman and Dexter in the Pecos Valley, one of the 47 soil and water conservation districts that blanket most of New Mexico's land area and work with local landowners on stewardship.
NM - Hagerman-Dexter Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the Hagerman and Dexter communities of the Pecos Valley, the Hagerman-Dexter SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Hidalgo Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, Hidalgo SWCD serves landowners in Hidalgo County in the bootheel on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - La Union Soil and Water Conservation District
La Union Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering the La Union area of southern Dona Ana County and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Lava Soil and Water Conservation District
The Lava district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in the Lava lands area of Cibola County with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Lea Soil and Water Conservation District
The Lea district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in Lea County on the southeastern plains with soil and water stewardship.
NM - McKinley Soil and Water Conservation District
McKinley Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering McKinley County around Gallup and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Mora Wagon Mound Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district covering Mora and Wagon Mound, one of the 47 soil and water conservation districts that blanket most of New Mexico's land area and work with local landowners on stewardship.
NM - Mora-Wagon Mound Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the Wagon Mound area of Mora County, the Mora-Wagon Mound SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Northeastern Soil and Water Conservation District
The Northeastern district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in northeastern New Mexico in Union County with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Otero Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, Otero SWCD serves landowners in Otero County and the Tularosa Basin on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - Penasco Soil and Water Conservation District
The Penasco district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in the Penasco valley of southern Taos County with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Quemado Soil and Water Conservation District
Quemado Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering the Quemado area of Catron County and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering Roosevelt County near Portales, the Roosevelt SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Salado Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, Salado SWCD serves landowners in the Salado area of Socorro County on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - San Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, San Francisco SWCD serves landowners in the San Francisco River valley of Catron County on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District
The San Juan district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in San Juan County in the Four Corners with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Santa Fe Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district covering Santa Fe and Pojoaque, one of the 47 soil and water conservation districts that blanket most of New Mexico's land area and work with local landowners on stewardship.
NM - Santa Fe-Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation District
Santa Fe-Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering the Santa Fe and Pojoaque valley area and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Sierra Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering Sierra County near Truth or Consequences, the Sierra SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM - Socorro Soil and Water Conservation District
One of New Mexico's 47 soil and water conservation districts, Socorro SWCD serves landowners in Socorro County along the Rio Grande on conservation and watershed projects.
NM - Southwest Quay Soil and Water Conservation District
The Southwest Quay district is part of New Mexico's 47-district conservation network, helping farmers and ranchers in southwestern Quay County with soil and water stewardship.
NM - Taos Soil and Water Conservation District
Taos Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 47 districts in New Mexico, covering the Taos valley area and working on local soil, water and range conservation.
NM - Upper Chama Soil and Water Conservation District
Covering the upper Chama River area of Rio Arriba County, the Upper Chama SWCD is a local conservation district, one of 47 statewide that partner with the NM Department of Agriculture.
NM
Plus 3 more. Find yours on your county's page in the New Mexico directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.