NMHU Department of Natural Resource Management

09/20/2026

Recent rainfall brought a dramatic change to the Upper Pecos River, restoring flows along stretches of the river in Pecos, NM, that had been low and rocky after a long hot summer.

08/20/2026

Congratulations to our colleague, Will Jaremko-Wright, on his recent honor for “Excellence in Agricultural Awareness and Appreciation” by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) at their 2026 Professional Improvement Conference in Denver, Colorado. The group recognized Will for his work developing “Tierra, Agua y la Gente: A Taoseño Film Series,” a collaborative program celebrating Northern New Mexico's agricultural heritage. Will earned his Graduate GIS Certificate (2013) and M.S. Natural Sciences-Environmental Science & Management (2015) from New Mexico Highlands University. He continues to support the Highlands community as an Instructor of Geology and inspire an ecological conscience at public speaking engagements and in monthly Taos News columns.

08/18/2026

67 years ago, Montana was transformed by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake near West Yellowstone.

On August 17, 1959, the Hebgen Lake earthquake triggered a massive landslide in Madison Canyon that killed 28 people, partially buried the Rock Creek campground, and dammed the Madison River to create Earthquake Lake. The earthquake caused dramatic ground displacement—up to 18-20 feet of fault scarps that remain visible today on the Hebgen Lake and Red Canyon faults.

This event remains a powerful reminder of Montana's seismic activity and the importance of earthquake preparedness.

The image below is from our 2024 calendar; you can view the full text here:https://mbmg.mtech.edu/pdf-calendars/2024calendar.pdf

Learn more about our MBMG Geohazards program here: https://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/MontanaGeology/geohazards/Earthquakes/about.asp .tab=0

Tour Earthquake Lake in virtual reality via our "41 Montana Geosites" series on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zxoy_9PmIHU?si=RleQtN6spee8H35m

04/06/2026

Spring has sprung at New Mexico Highlands University bringing a sense of hope and renewal.
Are you thinking about starting or returning to college studies?
The Natural Resources Management Department offers exciting, stimulating, and relevant degrees in Environmental Science, Geology, GIS, and Water Resources. These highly interdisciplinary programs focus on applying geological principles to address environmental problems. Faculty are available to meet with prospective and continuing students to discuss programs of study, assist with course selection, share opportunities for research engagement, and offer insights into career pathways.
Make your appointment today!
Natural Resources Management Programs - https://www.nmhu.edu/landing-natural-resources-management/programs/

04/04/2026

A secret weapon to fight carbon emissions was just discovered: Beavers

(Image credit: Andyworks via Getty Images)

12/24/2025

Did you know Hawaii grows and sells more commercial Christmas trees than Alaska?

Or that more than 25 million Christmas trees are harvested in the US each year?

This map shows where these trees are grown.

https://www.maps.com/where-christmas-trees-grow/

07/25/2025

The world faces growing water resources challenges related to water availability, quality, and management, which are vital for human survival and ecosystem health. New Mexico Highlands University’s Environmental Geology degree with water science emphasis provides knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in topics like water scarcity, water pollution (post-fire sedimentation, mine drainage, and urban runoff), and the impacts of climate change on water resources. Graduates are equipped to develop sustainable solutions for water management to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for present and future generations. Apply today @ https://apply.nmhu.edu/apply/

Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul has an existential water problem and other cities may also be vulnerable.

06/02/2025

Climate change is making weather more unpredictable and water flows in the Upper Pecos River more unstable. 2025 rates the 7th driest year to date over the past 131 years of record (Drought.gov). Beavers are emerging as a surprising tool to moderate drought. Their dams hold water during dry periods and slow floods when heavy rains hit, allowing water to infiltrate and recharge shallow aquifers. In places where beavers have been reintroduced, scientists have documented more consistent water flow throughout the year. Read more about how beaver reintroduction can support the Upper Pecos Watershed Association’s mission to protect, maintain, and improve the health of the Pecos River Watershed. https://pecoswatershed.org/beaver-reintroduction/

04/02/2025

In an exciting turn of events, a previously undocumented fountain geyser emerged in the Sulphur Springs area of Valles Caldera National Preserve this morning.

Geysers are hot springs that intermittently spout jets of steam and water, resulting from the heating of groundwater by shallow bodies of magma. They are typically found in areas with past volcanic activity, such as Yellowstone National Park and, now, Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Strikingly similar to Yellowstone's Grand Geyser, Valles Caldera's newest volcanic feature has been named "Fool's Geyser" based on the date of emergence. 🙃

Happy April Fool's Day.

Photo description: A geyser shoots water and steam into the air. (NPS/Jacob Frank)

03/30/2025

🌎 SAVE THE DATE: EARTH DAY CLEANUP – APRIL 26 🌿

Celebrate Earth Day with us by giving back to the Pecos Watershed! On Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, we’re hosting our annual Earth Day Cleanup, starting at UPWA’s Office.

This is a great opportunity to come together as a community, make a real impact, and help keep the Pecos River clean, healthy, and beautiful.

🗓️ Mark your calendars—more details coming soon! We can't wait to see you out there making a difference.