New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Organization of the Year Award to
"Taos Soil and Water Conservation District"
Acequias have been a top priority for TSWCD since their inception in 1941. In the 1990's, the District began funding the engineering and construction of community acequia infrastructure projects. The District has put in over a million dollars into acequia infrastructure, helping hundreds of acequia associations and thousands of parciantes in the many communities throughout Taos County. TSWCD understands the importance of preserving northern NM's natural and cultural landscape, which lies at the core of our distinctive rural character and special quality of life.
New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Ben Luján Leadership Award to
"Carlos Cisneros" has represented District 6 in northern New Mexico and is one of the most senior members of the state Senate. During his tenure as a legislator, Senator Cisneros has served as Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Conservation Committee, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Along with the late Speaker Ben Lujan, Senator Cisneros sponsored and passed bills strengthening acequia governance and protecting acequia water rights. He has been a champion for acequias and sponsored historic legislation in 2003 that authorized acequias to regulate water transfers and to operate water banking, two policies empowering acequias to protect historic water rights.
New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Ben Luján Leadership Award to
"Peter Wirth has served in the New Mexico Senate for 11 years and currently represents Senate District 25.In 2013 he successfully sponsored two bills which limit domestic well "double-dipping." In 2015, working with the NMAA, he sponsored Senate Bill 493 which clarified that New Mexico law requires the state engineer provide due process before approving water leases. He is the Chair of the Senate Conservation Committee, Chair of the Interim Water and Natural Resources Committee and serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and a voting member of the Tax Committee. When he is not working at the legislature, Senator Wirth is a lawyer and mediator in Santa Fe.
New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Acequia Farmer of the Year Award to
"Ernest Chavez"of Atrisco is a former State Representative and a parciante on the Armijo Ranchos de Atrisco Acequia. Ernesto has shared his mother's 2 acres of land with La Plazita Institute (LPI) for the past 4years, and recently extended the agreement for 5 more years. With Ernest's support, LPI restored water rights that the State Engineer had declared abandoned, and provides organic food and employment for adjudicated youth and adults in the community.
New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Mayordomo of the Year Award to
"José Maestas was born in Las Vegas to Leo and Rebbeca Maestas as one of eight children. Just like his father, Leo, and his grandfather, Ezequiel, José has always been an advocate and promoter of the acequia system. He has served as Mayordomo of Acequia de los Romeros, which originates in San Antonio and diverts from the Rio Gallinas. José continues the planting traditions he was raised with, and has often offered his personal land for the community to use for gardening. This year he also opened his garden to Veterans who want to plant there. José has always felt that water belongs to the land, and not to
people, and that water rights should stay connected to the land for growing food.
New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Acequia Advocate of the Year Award to
"Dr. Virginia Necochea" is proud to be the current director of the Center for Social Sustainable Systems (CESOSS), a community-driven and community-led organization that works to preserve and protect ways of life and traditions in the South Valley. Virginia has been working in the field of education for over 15 years and is committed to all forms of justice.
New Mexico Acequia Association proudly presents the
Acequia Lifetime Achievement Award to
"Hector Gonzales"was born in the Alameda Land grant. He grew up honoring acequia culture. He served on the Board of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. He is an advocate and a supporter of reestablishing acequias as a life form for our community. Don Hector is one of the few people in the South Valley who still recalls much of the history of acequias. Don Hector is an inspiration to many of us who are supporting acequias in the communities of Atrisco, Armijo, Pajarito, Arenal, and Los Padillas.
