Citizen Conservation

Through science, education, and stewardship, citizen scientists, young and old, are improving understanding of the ecological value of the Rio Grande and its watershed. The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP) is coordinated by the University of New Mexico's Department of Biology and the Bosque School, and is mentioned in the Valle de Oro sequence in CROWD & CLOUD program 3. Research is conducted by volunteers along 350 miles of the Rio Grande and its riparian area, known locally by its Spanish name “bosque”. There are 32 research sites between Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park. Citizen and student groups are gathering long-term data on the overall condition of the forest ecosystem along the river. On top of meeting research needs, volunteers build direct connections with their local environment and increase public understanding through carefully planned data collection. By including the community in citizen science, BEMP is able to gather information about the bosque while allowing students and volunteers to learn about the Rio Grande ecosystem. Their research seeks to inform public policy, and inspire environmental stewardship and ethics.

http://bemp.org/

http://www.bosqueschool.org/bemp.aspx