UNM and New Mexico Water News
Explore archived news stories here.
New research explores agricultural water users’ preferences for water conservation in the Middle Rio Grande
August 2026
A team of researchers at the University of New Mexico, led by Water Resources affiliated faculty Jingjing Wang, Caroline Scruggs, and Robert Berrens, have released the results of a survey designed to understand agricultural water users' preference for alternative water conservation programs in the Middle Rio Grande Conservation District. The results provide key insights into how local farmers experience water scarcity and perceptions of water-saving strategies. Find more information about the projecthere.
Water Resources-affiliated faculty promoted to Distinguished Professor
July 2026
Robert Berrens, economics professor and UNM Water Resources affiliated faculty, was recently promoted to Distinguished Professor, the highest faculty title the University bestows. Dr. Berrens’ work focuses on environmental and resource economics, including the areas of water resources, wildfire, public lands management, and endangered species. He is widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of non-market valuation. Read the news releasehere.
New book from UNM Water Resources faculty explores how the Rio Grande shaped Albuquerque
June 2026
“Ribbons of Green: The Rio Grande and the Making of Modern Albuquerque,” a new book from Water Resources faculty John Fleck and Robert Berrens, examines how collective water management decisions helped shape Albuquerque and its iconic bosque. Learn more about the book and purchase it here.
WR Graduate Student Awarded Research Grant to Study Conservation Efforts in the Middle Rio Grande Bosque
June 2026
Mackenzie Stamey, a Master’s student in Water Resources at UNM, was awarded a NM Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) Student Water Research Grant for her project titled Creation of a Conservation Prioritization Geospatial Model for the Middle Rio Grande Bosque.
Mackenzie's project seeks to develop science-based decision-support tools to help land and water managers identify and prioritize conservation and restoration efforts throughout New Mexico’s Middle Rio Grande Valley. Read more here.
UNM researchers examine agricultural water use in New Mexico’s Middle Rio Grande Basin
May 2026
A new study led by Tosin Olofinsao, Ph.D., in the Department of Economics, alongside Water Resources-affiliated faculty Jingjing Wang and Robert Berrens, explores how agricultural water use varies across farms in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. The research provides new insight into the roles of small farms and large commercial operations, information that could help shape future water management and conservation strategies in New Mexico. Read more here.
UNM researchers tackle drought impacts through national conservation grant
April 14, 2026
Backed by a nearly $1.6 million investment from Allen Family Philanthropies and the National Science Foundation, a team of researchers including Water Resources Program Director Rebecca Bixby and Water Resource-affiliated faculty Tom Turner, Kim Eichhorst, Marisa Repasch, Alex Webster and Senior Program Manager Debbie Lee from the Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands institute, will help refine and implement an advanced model of environmental flows designed to strengthen resilience along the Rio Grande in New Mexico.
The five-year project, Reconnecting water, land, and life: Enhancing environmental flow models and actions for river corridor ecosystem resilience, is part of the Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice (PACSP) — a national collaboration that bridges basic scientific research with on-the-ground conservation. Read the full story here.
WR Graduate Student Awarded Research Grant to Study Impacts of Wildfires on Critical Freshwater Ecosystems
July 2025
Rhett Sanders-Spencer, a Master’s student in Water Resources at UNM, was awarded a New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) Student Water Research Grant for his research focused on understanding wildfire affects on benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Advised by Dr. Rebecca Bixby, Rhett will build upon previous efforts by processing and analyzing invertebrate samples collected five+ years after the Las Conchas Fire in the Jemez Mountains. This work aims to enhance our understanding of short-term resistance and resilience of macroinvertebrate communities following disturbance. Read more here.
WR Graduate Student Awarded Research Grant to Study Harmful Algal Blooms in the Middle Rio Grande
March 2025
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern affecting freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Tyler Clayshulte, a Master’s student in Water Resources at UNM, seeks to establish a baseline understanding of HABs as a preventative measure in the Middle Rio Grande. Tyler received a Student Water Research Grant from the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) under his advisor, Dr. Rebecca Bixby, to help identify the key environmental drivers that influence the occurrence of HABs within the Middle Rio Grande. Read more here.
Remembering Dr. Michael Campana (1948-2024)
August 25, 2024
The University of New Mexico’s Water Resources Program is saddened to share the passing of former Director Michael Campana, whose leadership and dedication to the field of water resources left a lasting mark on the University community.
As Director of the Water Resources program from 1997-2006, Dr. Campana helped build the program into what it is today. Professor Emeritus of Earth & Planetary Sciences at UNM, he was also a distinguished leader in the field of sustainable water management in the US and internationally.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to work alongside him for many years. Read remembrances here.
Affiliated Water Resources faculty awarded water-related NSF funding
July 23, 2024
Dr. Jingjing Wang, associate professor (Economics) and Associate Director (Water Resources Program), is leading a $6 million NSF-funded project to explore the impacts of controlled environment agriculture (i.e., indoor farming) on climate resilience, food security, and economic growth, particularly in disadvantaged and tribal communities.
Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, assistant professor (Community and Regional Planning) is heading up a $4 million NSF-funded program to integrate Indigenous knowledge with Western science. The project aims to enhance Indigenous community resilience to climate change by co-developing adaptation strategies and fostering research partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Congratulations to Jingjing Wang and Lani Tsinnajinnie on their professional accomplishments! Full link
New Associate Director, Water Resources, announced
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Jingjing Wang as the new Water Resources Associate Director. She comes to the program with a wealth of experience in environmental and natural resource economics focused on policy research centered on water resources management, nutrient pollution, and clean energy. Dr. Wang is no stranger to the Water Resources Program and has served on a number of Water Resource graduate student committees and co-taught WR 572 Models class. She is a member of the leadership team for the university-wide Sustainable Water Grand Challenge and received the UNM New Teacher of the Year Award in 2021-2022. She is also a member of the Technical Customer Advisory Committee for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.
Our thanks to Dr. Bruce Thomson for his work as Interim Associate Director. His experience and enthusiasm have been invaluable for the Program.
