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Fall term begins August 29, 2022

Students Learn About Acequias While Protecting Water Quality

Students Learn About Acequias While Protecting Water Quality

November 9, 2016 -- Ten CNM students picked up trash and cleaned areas around an acequia at Matthew Meadows Park, near 12th Street and Menaul in Albuquerque. It was the grand finale to CNM’s “Water in the Desert” educational series. Water in the Desert is a Campus as a Living Lab and Sustainability Curriculum initiative at CNM.
November 09, 2016

The students gathered two giant bags of trash, including plastics, paper, cigarette butts and dog waste in about a half mile of linear drains.

“The purpose of the field trip was to learn about ancient irrigation systems and to help protect our water quality,” said Molly Blumhoefer, CNM’s Campus as a Living Lab and Sustainability Project Manager. “In addition, students earned extra credit, service learning credit or credit towards a sustainability certificate.”

Acequias are community-operated water canals that carry snow runoff or river water to distant fields. They are used throughout New Mexico to irrigate farm lands.

As part of the trip the students were given a “walk and talk” lecture by event organizers Marissa Juarez, an English faculty member who is from the area, and Blumhoefer, who has a master’s degree in water resources from the University of New Mexico.

The students had a variety of majors, including English, Biology, Geography and Sustainability.