THE RIO GRANDE BASIN

The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo basin is a mosaic of cities and towns, working lands, public lands, and protected areas. By definition, it is also transboundary, with approximately half the watershed in the US and the other half in Mexico. It includes important wildlife habitats, migration corridors, and rich biodiversity, alongside deep cultural history and diverse human settlements. Throughout the basin, the health of landscapes and communities are deeply intertwined, and the river is crucial to both.

At the same time, the basin is beset by climate change, and its natural resources, ecosystems, and wildlife face a variety of threats. The region is also experiencing rapid population growth and economic development, all of which impact the health of the basin and lead to less water for communities, habitat, and species.

The current reality and future of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo basin pose important challenges and opportunities for innovative approaches to land and water conservation, community health and engagement, and transboundary collaboration.