Students from 12 Northern New Mexico schools learn skills and meet professionals in natural resource management.
Growing the next generation of natural resource leaders and conservationists is more critical than ever as climate-driven wildfires, hurricanes and tornados reshape our forests, rivers and townships. For two weeks during the 8th Annual STEM Showdown in September, 284 high- and middle-school aged students from 12 schools spanning five counties (San Miguel, Mora, Guadalupe, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe) cored trees, identified grasses and birds, learned about healthy soils and pollutants in our waterways, and the attributes of healthy habitats for both wildlife and people. Additionally, students met and conversed with a diverse suite of STEM professionals to learn about academic pathways, college majors, role of mentors, and challenges faced from each professional’s personal STEM journey.
This annual science immersion event by NMFWRI’s Conservation Science Center was hosted in partnership with NM MESA and Storrie Lake State Park, and was supported by community organizations (Quivira Coalition, Audubon NM, Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance, Arid Land Innovations), county (Tierra y Montes SWCD), state (NM Forestry Division, NM Acequia Association, NM Dept Game and Fish), and federal (Natural Resource Conservation Service, Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey) agencies; plus NMHU’s Natural Resources Management and Forestry departments, HU Cares, and ARMAS.
