Acequias, communally-managed gravity-fed irrigation systems found across the state and in southern Colorado, have nourished our working lands and communities for centuries. A leading example of a regenerative system that builds social and ecological resilience, acequias are one of our greatest teachers.

Join us to be inspired by acequia systems and collaborative land stewardship at the 9th annual New Mexico Working Lands Summit June 11-12, 2026. Farmers, ranchers, community members, and conservationists will share about cooperative decision-making when it comes to managing waterways, fields, and forests. You’ll learn about  acequia history, and how the ethos of acequia management is being embraced as we protect and care for our agrarian communities. This summit is a space rich with peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and celebrating experiences and resiliency.

Schedule overview:

Thursday, June 11

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Talpa Community Center

4 Archuleta Rd, Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557

Join us for panel discussions, presentations, and peer-to-peer conversations on:

  • The history and multi-functionality of acequias
  • How to apply the collaborative ethos of acequia systems to your own working lands
  • Protecting and supporting small-scale, regenerative agriculture
  • Resilience in the face of development and disaster

4:30 p.m. – Happy hour at Taos Mesa Brewing 

201 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571

 

Friday, June 12

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Carson National Forest

Meet at San José de Gracia Church in Las Trampas

2377-2381 NM-76, Chamisal, NM 87521

Our field day will include getting outside and learning about the Forest Mayordomos: A Collaborative Forest Management Strategy. Learn how leaders in watershed and forest management have adopted acequia management systems to increase wildfire mitigation, improve native grass populations, and increase access to firewood.

Lunch is included on both days.