Case Study

Restoring Rangelands in Northern New Mexico with Keyline Design

Many factors, including drought, heavy livestock grazing, and mono-crop agriculture, have decreased the infiltration rate of the coarse-loamy soils prevalent in Northern New Mexico. Keyline design uses the natural ridges and contours of a property’s topography to slow, spread, and sink rainwater.

Location New Mexico

Year

2024

Details

Hazards

Assets

Agriculture and Food Supply

Follow this link to read the full case study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Restoring Rangelands in Northern New Mexico with Keyline Design

Funding & Building Capacity

This project was funded by the New Mexico Healthy Soil Program and Seeding Regenerative Agriculture.

Organizations

US Fish & Wildlife Service

Relevant Options

Encourage farmers to update farm technologies to account for seasonal changes and reduce fertilizer and water use. For example, farmers can increase the efficiency of irrigation; make use of weather and Promote resilient land management practices, including range management practices that increase water retention. Increased water retention can enhance soil moisture, ground water and healthy ecosystems. Encourage farmers and foresters to research technological opportunities to use water resources more efficiently. Increasing water use efficiency can prevent or alleviate drought impacts.

Steps to Resilience

Understand Exposure

Assess Vulnerability & Risk

Investigate Options

Prioritize & Plan

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