Claunch-Pinto News Spring 2013

Abo Canyon: Coyote Willow Planting

On March 27-28, Aaron Kauffman of Southwest Urban Hydrology, LLC., worked with the Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District staff to plant nearly 500 coyote willow whips on railroad right of way in the Abo cut. The coyote willows will quickly establish root systems and populate the areas along streams adjacent to the planting area. As part of a riparian restoration project for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, these willows will help reduce soil erosion from flood waters and help establish vegetation that will be a food source for wildlife.
Aaron Kauffman uses an auger to dig planting holes for the coyote willows

Inside this issue:

Hoop House Workshop Community Garden Conservation Building Invasive Weed Team Thistle Identification Energy Saving Tips 2 2 3 4 4 5

Wildfire Mitigation

6-7

Gardening Workshop
Free gardening workshop series for Mountainair will be occurring the first Monday of every month. Sponsored by Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District and New Mexico State University-Torrance Extension, the workshops consist of hands-on and classroom presentations that educate participants in home gardening techniques. For more information or questions, please feel free to email either Claunch-Pinto volunteer Carla Cope at cb2Qoal@yahoo.com, District Manager Dierdre Tarr at Dierdre.Tarr@nm.nacdnet.net, or give us a call at 505-847-2243 Look out for postings and listen to 88.7KXNM Radio for upcoming gardening workshops. For composting, shredded paper is available without charge here at our office.

Hoop House Workshop Teaches Conservation Gardening Techniques

The Claunch-Pinto Hoop House is a type of semicircle, low-cost greenhouse, that is built from bent PVC pipe, lumber, polyethylene film, and is anchored to the ground by rebar. The Hoop House is located on the property of the future Claunch-Pinto and Natural Resources Conservation Service building, just South of Mountainair. This hoop house will contain multiple garden beds to serve as examples of conservation and gardening techniques. On February 26, 2013, a workshop on how to build raised garden beds and install watering systems was held at the hoop house. Participants were instructed by Agricultural Specialists Del Jimenez and Agriculture 4/H Extension Agent Gene Winn, of the New Mexico State University.

Hoop House

Participants learning how to install a watering system

Mountainair Community Garden on Broadway

The sun is warming the earth and frost days are almost over, so the Mountainair Community Gardeners have planned a new season of gardening at the garden next to the Manzano Mountain Arts Council building on Broadway. Every Saturday morning, the garden sheds will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. for people who need to use the community tools, and one or more of the gardeners will be there to help new gardeners. Four special gardening events are planned for the gardeners and the garden's supportive friends in the community. Information on these events, the first scheduled for June 8, will be made available in flyers and emails as the plans develop.
Mountainair Community Garden
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The garden is available daily for anyone who'd like to adopt a garden spot and join the digging and planting. The other three special events are tentatively scheduled for July 6, August 3, and September 21. The September event will be the annual "Harvest Fair," featuring entertainment and food from the garden. This year, the gardeners will be planting and testing sunflower varieties to see which might be best as a moneymaking crop for area gardeners. They will also be growing sunflowers just for fun and for Mountainair's annual Sunflower Festival in August. For information on the garden and how to participate, contact Tomas Wolff at (505) 847-2444 or wolff.clayworks@gmail.com or Lenora Romero at (505) 847-2419.

Construction of Conservation Building Moving Forward

Development on the Claunch-Pinto Soil & Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service new building, located south of Mountainair, is steadily moving forward. The soon-to-be building is now a standing shell. Windows, power lines, and interior construction are still lacking but will be installed on the next phase of construction.
Interior during construction

Early construction

Finished building shell

Invasive Weed Surveys: Summer 2012

During the summer of 2012, Claunch-Pinto worked with private land owners and the United States Forest Service (USFS) in the Central New Mexico Cooperative Weed Management Area (CNMCWMA) to survey for invasive weed species. This Noxious Weed Monitoring project was funded through New Mexico State Forestry, and in the first year was a success thanks to private landowners cooperating with the Soil & Water Conservation districts. From May 15 through August 15, 2012, two college students: Lesley Kingston, Gabriel Ramirez; two recent high school graduates: Elaine Chavez, Kallye Martin; and one high school sophomore: Erin Autrey were employed with Claunch-Pinto to survey for invasive weeds in the Manzano Mountains, Gallinas Mountains, and portions of the Estancia Basin. The Claunch-Pinto Invasive Weed Team surveyed 1925.5 acres of private and USFS land. Various private landowners within the CNMCWMA were contacted by the Claunch-Pinto Invasive Weed Team for permission to survey their land for invasive weed species. With cooperation from these private land owners, Claunch-Pinto surveyed a total of 740.5 acres of private land in the Estancia Basin and Manzano Mountains. The Claunch-Pinto SWCD would like to thank all private landowners who allowed the invasive weed team to survey their property.

Left to Right: Elaine C., Lesley K., Gabriel R., Erin A. and Kaylle M.
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Invasive Weed Team and Youth Conservation Corps

The Claunch-Pinto Invasive Weed Team worked with the USFS Mountainair Ranger District summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) during the week of July 16 July 20, 2012. Coordinating this effort were Alan Warren, Range Specialist, USFS Mountainair Ranger District, and Gabriel Ramirez, Claunch-Pinto Lead Weed Team Coordinator. Claunch-Pinto shared invasive weed identification, monitoring techniques, and data input with the YCC. The YCC monitored 256 acres of Priest Canyon in the USFS Manzano Mountains. Priest Canyon arroyos were surveyed due to known Salt Cedar and Russian Knapweed occurrences.
Claunch-Pinto Invasive Weed Team with the Mountainair Ranger District Youth Conservation Corps

Thistle Species
Identifying the different types of thistles can be quite confusing without any knowledge of what key features determine each weed. Four common species of thistles that have been identified in the region are Yellow Spined, Musk, Bull, and Scotch Thistle. Three out of the four are considered invasive weed species that are non-native to the area. Yellow Spine Thistle is the only native here pictured, and is very commonly seen and mistaken for other thistles. Below are pictures of the three invasive thistle species and are focused in on features that are the helpful in identifying the plant in its bloom stage.
Prickly Winged Leaves

Yellow Spine Thistle (Native Species)

Broad Bracts

Lobed Leaves
Musk Thistle (Invasive Species) Bull Thistle (Invasive Species) Scotch Thistle (Invasive Species)

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Claunch-Pinto News Spring 2013

Energy Star Saving Tips

1. Seal air leaks and properly insulate are always the first steps for reducing energy waste, sav. ing up to 20% on heating and cooling bills and increasing home comfort. 2. Turn off all lights, appliances and electronics not in use. Sometimes the simplest things are really effective! 3. Use your windows shades. Close blinds on the sunny side in summer and open them in winter. 4. Install new & improved light bulbs. Reduce energy use from about a third to as much as 80% with todays increasing number of energy-efficient halogen incandescent 5. Clean or change furnace filters regularly. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm. 6. Reduce water heater temperature to 130 F. Save energy and money on heating water, and wrap the water storage tank in a specially designed blanket to retain the heat. 7. Wash clothes in cold water. Save up to $63 a year. . 8. Look for the Energy Star label, the governments symbol of energy efficiency on a wide range of consumer products to save up to 30% on related electricity bills.

With the exception of holidays and inclement weather, the Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors will meet on the first Friday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the Alpine Alley. July 12, 2013 August 2, 2013 September 6, 2013 October 4, 2013 Scheduled Meetings: November 1, 2013 December 6, 2013 January 3, 2014 February 7, 2014 March 7, 2014 April 4, 2014

CURRENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

TERM EXPIRES SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Felipe Lovato Jr., Chairman . 2015 William Caster, Vice Chairman . 2015 Richard Shovelin, Secretary/Treasurer.. Appointed Jerry Melaragno 2017 Dan Williams.. Appointed LeRoy Candelaria ... 2015 J. Brian Greene . 2017 DISTRICT STAFF: Dierdre Tarr, District Manager Vernon Kohler, Field Technician Kaisa Jones, Bookkeeper STUDENT STAFF: Gabriel Ramirez VOLUNTEER STAFF: Katheryn Taylor Kim Kostelnik .. Carla Cope..Nancy Lockridge.. NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE Kenneth Lujan, District Conservationist April Luna, Soil Conservationist

Cost-share Programs Subdivision Reviews Vegetation Identification Licensed Pesticide Applicators Handout Information on:

Rangeland Management Wildfire Risk Reduction Noxious Weed Management Noxious Weed Calendar Childrens Conservation Watershed Health Soil Erosion Control Backyard Composting
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Wood Chipper ( Please call to reserve and rent) $150/Day Buffalo Grass seed -$18.00/lb & Blue Grama grass seed $18.00/lb Mountainair Valley, Southwest wildflower seed & Maximillan Sunflower seed -$2.00/oz Ollas ( Terra cotta jars used for subsurface irrigation systems) 1/2 gallon--$18, Mini Olla- $5.00
Claunch-Pinto News Spring 2013

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WILDFIRE MITIGATION IN TORRANCE COUNTY, SPRING 2013

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY: Cut back the vegetation and remove all fuel sources around the home by protecting a 100-foot perimeter surrounding the home and eliminating all flammable vegetation 30 feet around it. This doesnt imply a barren landscape, but it is important to avoid the accumulation of dry leaves, overgrown vines, shrubs, and tall grasses. The existence of flammable pines, pion, and junipers within this 100-foot perimeter should also be managed carefully, and the tops of trees should never be allowed to make contact with buildings. Also, it is important to note that most fires start low and move upward; therefore, it is critical that trees within a 100-foot perimeter of the home with low hanging branches be removed up to six feet from ground-level. For information on cost-share programs that assist qualifying residents with the cost of maintaining fire safe properties under the Estancia Basin Watershed Restoration, Health, and Planning Committee, please contact your local Soil & Water Conservation District: Claunch/Pinto SWCD, (505) 847-2941; East Torrance SWCD, (505) 384-2272, ext. 3; Edgewood SWCD, (505) 832-1111. PROTECT YOUR HOME: Protect the home itself by keeping gutters clean, placing non-flammable mesh screens over chimneys and stovepipes, as well as choosing fire-proof building materials such as sheet metal, brick, stone, tile, slate, and aluminum for construction or remodeling. Woodpiles should be outside the 100-foot defensible space and it is advisable for people to store kindling in a fire-resistant shed or barn well distanced from the home. Also, it is important to make sure that all outside faucets work and to keep a fire extinguisher, flashlight, bucket, shovel, garden hose, and rake handy for fighting fires. Please note that it is common for power failures or turnoffs to occur during a fire which can make well pumps inoperable. In order to offset this obstacle, it is highly recommended for residents to plan accordingly by having a backup generator available. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY: Write a family plan that includes escape routes and contact numbers, and conduct drills to practice. It is important to keep cell phones charged and fuel in vehicles; and have a well stocked first aid kit. Taking CPR and first aid classes as a family in addition to learning how to use a fire extinguisher is highly recommended. Also, it is advisable to create a survival kit that includes a three -day supply of food and water and other necessities in the event of a situation requiring evacuation or sheltering elsewhere. In addition to following the safety tips mentioned it is important for county residents to strictly observe all fire danger warning advisories and refrain from potentially dangerous activities such as grilling, sawing, grinding, welding, etc. on dry, windy days. If you have any questions regarding wildfire mitigation or any of the contents of this article, please feel free to contact the Torrance County Office of Emergency Management at (505) 246-4748 or call Javier E. Snchez, the Torrance County Emergency Manager directly at (505) 705-0836. Lets make it a safe and manageable fire season by minimizing the impact of human error in the generation of wildfires in Torrance County and remember that in the event
Page 6 Claunch-Pinto News Spring 2013

PREVENCIN CONTRA FUEGOS FORESTALES EN EL CONDADO DE TORRANCE, PRIMAVERA DE 2013

PROTEJA SU PROPIEDAD: Recortar la vegetacin y remover todo tipo de alimento de fuego para formar un permetro de 100 pies alrededor del hogar es recomendable tanto como mantener un permetro de 30 pies sin vegetacin inflamable cualquiera. Esto no significa la existencia de un paisaje aburrido, tan solo da importancia a la removacin de hojas cadas, arbustos secos y hierbas altas. Pinos y rboles de pion y sabina deben ser manejados con el cuidado de las ramas no hagan contacto con ninguna estructura. Adems, la mayora de los incendios empiezan desde abajo, as que es crtico que sean recortados hasta una altura de seis pies desde la tierra los racimos de rboles que existen dentro la distancia defensora alrededor del hogar. Para informacin sobre programas que ofrecen ayuda financiera al pblico para la removacin de alimentos de fuego del hogar, favor de consultar a su perteneciente distrito de Soil & Water Conservation: Claunch/Pinto SWCD, (505) 847-2941; East Torrance SWCD, (505) 384-2272, ext. 3; Edgewood SWCD, (505) 832-1111. PROTEJA SU CASA: Proteja su casa limpiando las lneas de desage y trate de usar mallas inflamables para cubrir chimeneas y chiflones. Tambin si esta pensando en renovar su casa, trate de usar material inflamable, tales como; lmina y hojalata, ladrillo, piedra, azulejo, y aluminio. Adems, cualquier pila de lea debe ser guardada afuera de 100 pies de distancia defensora aconsejable. Adems, es muy importante asegurarse que todas las llaves de agua afuera de su hogar funcionen bien y mantenga a la mano un extinguidor de fuegos, una lmpara, cubeta, pala, manguera, y rastrillo. Recuerde que es muy comn que al momento de haber un incendio, puedan ocurrir fallas de electricidad y apagones que podran a casar problemas con las pompas de agua, as que se le recomienda tener un generador de reserva para este tipo de situaciones. PROTEJA A SU FAMILIA: Hagan un plan para su familia que incluya nmeros de telfono y rutas de salida que deben ser practicadas con frecuencia. Es muy importante tener siempre sus telfonos celulares cargados y sus automviles con suficiente gasolina para conducirse a un lugar ms seguro. Tambin mantenga un kit de primeros auxilios en su automvil y tomar clases de CPR y para el uso de un extinguidor de fuegos como familia es una idea recomendable. Tambin es aconsejable crear un kit de sobre vivencia con comida, agua, y otro tipo de necesidades que por lo menos dure tres das en cualquier caso que tenga que evacuar su casa. Aparte de los tips de seguridad mencionados es muy importante que la gente observe todo anuncio de peligro y dejar de embragarse en actividades potencialmente peligrosas tales como soldar, serrar, amolar, asar a la parrilla, etc. En das ventosos y secos, Favor de comunicarse con cualquier pregunta sobre lo contenido con Javier E. Snchez, administrador de emergencias del condado, al (505) 246-4748 (505) 705-0836. Favor de hacer frente al peligro de fuegos forestales al condado demostrado por esta temporada con minimizar el impacto del error humano en la creacin de incendios y recuerde que en caso de emergencia siempre marque el 911.
Page 7 Claunch-Pinto News Spring 2013

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Claunch-Pinto Soil & Water Conservation District District

P.O. Box 129 121 West Broadway, Suite 108 Mountainair, NM 87036

MOUNTAINAIR, NM

PERMIT NO. 7

Phone: 505-847-2243 Fax: 505-847-0615 E-Mail: Dierdre.Tarr@nm.nacdnet.net

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

WE ARE ON THE WEB @ claunchpinto.org

Contributing writers in this quarters newsletter: Carla Cope, Gabriel Ramirez, and Javier Sanchez Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District Vision Statement: Provide leadership and administer programs to help people wisely use, conserve, consistently improve, and perpetually sustain our natural resources and physical environment.

CURRENT BOX HOLDER

For The Kids

Find spring words in this fun puzzle. Leaf, warm, bug, bunny, bee, frog, bird