New Mexico Acequias: Global Heritage

N e w s & V i e w s f r o m t h e S u s t ai n ab l e S o u t h w e s t

Ancient Trade Routes Keystone Gardens The Columbian Exchange Water and Community Cultural Journalism

February 2015 Northern New Mexico’s Largest Circulation Newspaper Vol. 7 No. 2 SERVICES

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4 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Vol. 7, No. 2 •February 2015 Issue No. 70 Publisher Green Fire Publishing, LLC Skip Whitson News & Views from the Sustainable Southwest Associate Publisher Barbara E. Brown Winner of the Sustainable Santa Fe Award for Outstanding Educational Project Editor-in-chief Contents Seth Roffman The Hermanamiento of the Acequias of Valencia and New Mexico . 6 Art Director Anna C. Hansen, Dakini Design Valencia and New Mexico’s Hermanamiento Ceremony: A Personal Perspective . 7 Copy Editors Heritage Acequias of Spain: The Millenial Huerta of Murcia Stephen Klinger and the Río Segura Valley . . 10 Susan Clair Safeguarding the Global Cultural Heritage of Community Acequias...... 14 Webmaster: Karen Shepherd New Mexico Acequias and World Heritage: A Proposal ...... 15 Contributing Writers Juan Estevan Arellano, José Luís Arumí, Valle de Allende and Aldama: Roots of Acequia Culture in Northern México . 16 Don Bustos, Lina García, Armando Lamadrid, Enrique Lamadrid, Alejandro López, Tlaxcala and Aranjuez: Keystone Gardens of the Columbian Exchange . . . 20 Luís Pablo Martínez, Carlos Ortiz Mayordomo, Ovidio Melo, Katherine Mortimer, Rafaela Bounty of the Columbian Exchange . 21 Retamal, José A. Rivera, Seth Roffman Water Management and Acequias in Chile...... 24 Contributing The Zanjeras of Northern Luzon. 25 Photographers José Luís Arumí, Amado Bimbo, Anna C. Land and Water in the Middle East: the Yemen Connection. 27 Hansen, Grete Howard, Armando Lamadrid, Enrique Lamadrid, Alejandro López, Luís Pablo Juan Estevan Arellano ¡Presente! . 28 Martínez, José Rivera,Seth Roffman Book Review – Enduring Acequias: Wisdom of the Land, Knowledge of Water . 29 PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANTs Azlan White, Cisco Whitson-Brown, Op-Ed: The Almunyah – An Integrated Place for Living ...... 29 Office Assistants Franchette, Brittany Breedlove Sustainable Santa Fe Update. .. 32 ewsbites Advertising Sales N ...... 8, 35 Skip Whitson 505.471.5177 What’s Going On...... 38 [email protected] Anna C. Hansen 505.982.0155 [email protected] Robyn Montoya 505.692.4477 [email protected] Global Acequia Landscapes: Culturally Green Mark Schumann, 505.901.2544 [email protected]. ew Mexico Acequias return to these pages to take their place of honor in a Global Heritage of traditional communities, which have made the arid zones Distribution N Barbara Brown, Susan Clair, Co-op Dist. Services, of our planet bloom. If you encounter a verdant landscape in New Mexico, chances Nick García, Andy Otterstrom (Creative Couriers), are you have entered an Acequia Landscape, which is “culturally green” since water Tony Rapatz, Wuilmer Rivera, Andrew Tafoya, is so scarce. International activists, scholars and irrigators have joined us again to Cynthia Trujillo, Skip Whitson, John Woodie celebrate the spirit of Enduring Acequias: Wisdom of the Land, Knowledge of the Water Circulation: 30,000 copies as the late Juan Estevan Arellano so aptly captured it in the title of his last book. We Printed locally with 100% soy ink on 100% recycled, chlorine-free paper dedicate this issue to his legacy of tireless advocacy and creativity, the qualities it takes to defend the resources of Acequia Culture from the challenges of climate change Green Fire Times and rampant development. c/o The Sun Companies P.O. Box 5588, SF, NM 87502-5588 505.471.5177 • [email protected] Last September, a sizeable New Mexico contingent traveled to Valencia, Spain to

witness an unprecedented event, the Hermanamiento or Ceremony of Brotherhood, © Anna C. H ansen © 2015 Green Fire Publishing, LLC to symbolically reunite us with the taproot of acequia traditions. For resounding Green Fire Times provides useful information for Juan Estevan Arellano was a community members, business people, students and successes over 25 years in grassroots organizing, state legislation and favorable judicial recipient of 2013 Luminaria visitors—anyone interested in discovering the wealth rulings, the New Mexico Acequia Association was awarded the Medal of Honor of the Award from the New Mexico of opportunities and resources in the Southwest. In Tribunal de las Aguas de Valencia, the oldest water court in the world, in continuous Community Foundation. support of a more sustainable planet, topics covered operation since the 10th century. range from green businesses, jobs, products, services, entrepreneurship, investing, design, building and We visited acequia heritage sites across southern Spain before the symposium at the Universitat Politécnica de energy—to native perspectives on history, arts & culture, ecotourism, education, sustainable agriculture, València (papers at http://tglick-irrigation-2014.org/en/publication/papers/). We add our own road stories to the regional cuisine, water issues and the healing arts. To observations of colleagues on New Mexico Acequias as Cultural Heritage of Humanity. our publisher, a more sustainable planet also means maximizing environmental as well as personal health – Armando Lamadrid and Enrique Lamadrid, Guest Editors by minimizing consumption of meat and alcohol. Green Fire Times is widely distributed throughout COVER: Don Bustos, representing the New Mexico Acequia Association, holding the north-central New Mexico. Feedback, announcements, Water Tribunal of Valencia’s Medal of Honor at the Ceremony of Hermanamiento event listings, advertising and article submissions to be considered for publication are welcome. (Brotherhood), Spain, Sept. 2014 Photo by ©Armando Lamadrid www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 5 Noticias Internacionales / Notable Acequia News

The Hermanamiento of the Acequias of Valencia and New Mexico Armando Lamadrid

n unprecedented event in the annals of global acequia culture was celebrated in the ancient botanical gardens of Valencia, Spain, and on the steps of its greatA cathedral last September—an official encounter of acequia irrigators from Spain and New Mexico, after four centuries apart. New Mexican culture is deeply influenced by Spain, despite having been separated politically for centuries and divided by half the globe. Yet, the richly hybrid Iberian legacy is still expressed under New Mexican skies through language, blood and water. Yes, water. And not for the sake of pointing out universal truths—yes, we all need water, just as we all need air!—but to highlight something more subtle and unsuspecting. Something you may not even notice while crossing the stunning semiarid New Mexican or Iberian countrysides, even though you’re staring right at it.

An official encounter of acequia irrigators from © Armando Lamadrid (2) Spain and New Mexico, after four centuries apart Following the resolution of the two disputes, a table was set in the middle of the ring of judges, and the tribunal proceeded to call forth NMAA’s Don Bustos to present At first glance, an acequia might actually look like a small stream blending into him and the NMAA the tribunal’s Medal of Honor. Then, Bustos was invited to sign the culturally green landscape. But, in fact, acequias are the lifelines of agriculture, the tribunal’s own book of honored guests, and he read the elegant message aloud to food security and community that have flourished for centuries in both places. the crowd, conveying respect and gratitude for the medal and the hermanamiento. This common feature of New Mexico and Spain, inherited even further back from Arabs—the word acequia comes from the classical Arabic, al-sāqiya, meaning “the water carrier” or “the one who gives water”—gives a sense of brotherhood, or hermandad, to these disparate places. But, like estranged family members, the irrigation institutions of Spain and New Mexico were alienated over the course of history—until Sept. 24, 2014.

On this date in the warm Spanish autumn, in an auditorium of the tree-canopied Jardí Botànic (Botanical Gardens) of the University of Valencia, representatives from Valencia and New Mexico gathered before a diverse crowd of spectators for a Ceremony of Hermanamiento, or Brotherhood, of their respective acequia institutions. From the Valencian side were officials from the three major irrigation institutions of the huerta (cultivated land) of Valencia—the Tribunal de las Aguas de la Vega de Valencia (the famous medieval water court of Valencia’s main irrigation corporation); the Real Acequia de Moncada (Royal Moncada Acequia); and the Real Acequia del Júcar (Royal Júcar Acequia)—plus colleagues from as far away as Murcia. For New Mexico, Dr. José Rivera, renowned UNM acequia scholar, and Don Bustos, New Mexico Acequia The Water Tribunal’s Association (NMAA) secretary and board Medal of Honor member, participated. The ceremony conveyed the seriousness with which water is treated in Spain.

In 2010, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognized the Tribunal de las Aguas de Valencia and the Consejo de Hombres Buenos de la Huerta de Murcia for enduring contributions to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. They have exercised their leadership for more than a millennium, surviving empires, kingdoms, wars and dictatorships, ribunal de las Aguas la vega Valencia through to the current democratic era. And Spain is fully cognizant of the

6 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Valencia and NM’s Hermanamiento Ceremony A Personal Perspective Don Bustos

n September 2014, along with and Cultural Organization) Intangible other members of the New Mexico Cultural Heritage List and that there AcequiaI Association (NMAA), I was are acequias in Valencia, Spain that invited to Valencia, Spain, to attend a have ties to northern New Mexico’s. symposium entitled “Irrigation, Society, For many years, Dr. Rivera and others and Landscape: Tribute to Thomas H. have been working to strengthen ties Glick,” the pioneer acequia scholar. between the two countries and the Three other major events occurred acequia communities. during the trip that will impact the El Tribunal de las Aguas de la Vega de future of sustainable agriculture, the Valencia and the Consejo de Hombres preservation of traditional people, and Buenos de la Vega de Murcia were added water and land for future generations to the UNESCO list in 2009. With the in New Mexico. knowledge and connections of various © Armando Lamadrid The NMAA has been working with community members and professional L-R: Juan Tovar (Junta de Hacendados de la Huerta de Murcia), Martha Trujillo, James professors from several universities people, the idea of giving New Mexico Maestas and Don Bustos (NMAA), acequia authors José Rivera and Thomas Glick, and and community-based organizations to acequias the same designation is moving Enric Aguilar (president of the Tribunal de las Aguas de la Vega de Valencia) document and articulate the importance forward. As secretary of the NMAA, of traditional ways of governance and along with Martha Trujillo from people who live on arid and semiarid lands. elected judges, who are not lawyers water distribution for the continuance Pojoaque, Santiago Maestas from the It illuminates the common challenges but hombres buenos, or well-respected of using water in a manner that gives South Valley of Albuquerque, as well as we confront in the current context of farmers. The court then makes a voice to the people who use it to benefit other parciantes (landholder-irrigators) globalization of economy and agriculture. decision, unless there is a need for their communities. from New Mexico, we were invited to the The document ends by declaring the further investigation, in which case the alliance and commitment to strengthen decision is made the following week. Recognizing the cultural and environmental our ties and to promote the exchange of All of their decisions regarding uses for experiences and solutions for irrigators water along the river are honored and significance of acequias and the links that unite who share the ancient acequia culture. enforced by all Spanish courts.

people who live on arid and semiarid lands. The second major event which, for me, The tribunal has four guiding principles: was a once-in-a lifetime, life-changing those elected to the tribunal must é I first met Dr. Jos Rivera at a NMAA signing of the Hermanmiento between experience, was when I was presented be in good standing in their acequia conference. His book, Acequia Culture: the two entities from across the Atlantic with the Medalla de Honor of the community; decisions must be made ó Water, Land, and Community in the Ocean. This document represents the Tribunal on the steps of the P rtico of in a timely manner; the process must Southwest, mentions the farm I own, communities of irrigators of the Júcar the Apostles of the ancient Cathedral be made affordable; and, to ensure that Santa Cruz Farm, as an example and Moncada Royal Acequias, the Water of Valencia, where the tribunal has all decisions are fair and just, issues of small, sustainable agriculture in Tribunal of Valencia and the New Mexico convened every Thursday morning are resolved by acequia representatives northern New Mexico. That was the Acequia Association. It recognizes the since Medieval times and earlier. There, from the opposite side of the Turia first time I had heard of the UNESCO cultural and environmental significance of irrigators from seven acequias present river. (United Nations Educational, Scientific the acequias and the links that unite the any issues to be resolved before the continued on page 22 © Seth R offman

Don Bustos delivered the Water Tribunal of Valencia’s Medal of Honor to the New Mexico Acequia Association’s concilio (board of directors) and members in November 2014 at the annual Congreso. L-R: Paula García, Don Bustos, Enrique Lamadrid, José A. Rivera, Harold Trujillo, Stephen Trujillo, Martha Trujillo, Jackie Powell, Gilbert Sandoval, James Maestas, Medardo Sánchez, Yolanda Jaramillo, Sylvia Rodríquez and Antonio Medina www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 7 Hernanamiento continued from page 6 NEWSBITEs the favorable New Mexico Supreme Court decisions, and New Mexico Acequia Commission the groundswell of acequia Meeting February 27 in Santa Fe activism in defense of traditional The New Mexico Acequia Commission (NMAC) serves acequia communities water and land management throughout the state. The 11-member commission, created in 1987, is currently seeking to make itself better known to those communities. The ceremony was conducted Pursuant to Executive Order 88-06, the commission advises the governor, the with the fullest officialdom of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Valencian acequia authorities, Engineers on what criteria should be used to determine priorities for rehabilitating conveying the seriousness with acequias under federal funding programs. The NMAC is also charged with which water is treated in Spain. facilitating communication between local acequia organizations and the state and And the tone struck a palpable federal governments and with reviewing plans or legislation that affect acequias. chord with the rest of The commission presents its findings to the governor and the ISC. the crowd, including the The NMAC will be active during the 2015 legislative session. Legislation the 24 delegates from New commission is working on includes a joint memorial to create an Acequia Interim Mexico who know well the Committee to present acequia issues to legislators and plan legislation. The NMAC vital importance of water to is also seeking a budget increase to support full-time staff and office space. cultural survival. Acequia communities are encouraged to contact the commission by visiting Enric Aguilar, the head of www.nmacequiacommission.state.nm.us or by contacting Chair Ralph A. Vigil the Tribunal de las Aguas, at 505.603.2879 or [email protected]. Agendas are available for the gave the first introduction NMAC’s next meeting on Feb. 27, 10 a.m., in room 238 of the Bataan Memorial Building in Santa Fe. to the Hermanamiento, and then words were Agri-lands Tax Reassessment in Taos © Armando Lamadrid (2) spoken by each of the Top: Hombres Buenos – elected farmer Agricultural status has become a hot topic in Taos County after many residents representatives present. Following, judges of the Water Tribunal of Valencia; received huge property tax increases in 2014. After county staff visited more than the main declaration of brotherhood Alguacil making his announcements 1,000 properties to determine if agriculture was still active, 630 parcels had their was read aloud, filling the auditorium ag status revoked. Once ag status is lost, the taxable value of a property increases with emotion, which culminated in the signing of the main document. Although to match the value of nonresidential land in that area. The tax on a parcel in Des Montes, where some upscale homes are located, went from about $10 a year to brotherhood was declared and the spirits of both Valencia’s and New Mexico’s just over $3,000. acequia water struggles were joined, the main symbolic exchange was yet to come. Many property owners said the reassessment came amid a record-setting On the following day, a crowd of a few hundred spectators gathered outside the Door drought that made agriculture—especially small-scale ranching—impossible or of the Apostles at the Cathedral of Valencia as the clock approached noon, as is usual prohibitively expensive. The increases raised concerns that many old Taos families, every Thursday. The spectacle was the weekly meeting of the Tribunal de las Aguas, who are land rich but cash poor, would be forced to sell their property and that the customary water court of the huerta of Valencia. But quite unusually, right beside changing ag status could affect water rights tied to land. The tax reassessment added the gated circle of nine stately leather chairs emblazoned with titles like “Çequia to mounting pressures against open space and traditional agrarian communities de Tormos” and “Çequia de Mestalla” (çequia is acequia in Valencian Catalan), the with proud, centuries-old acequia culture. New Mexico delegation of scholars and acequieros were in the front row.

Then, through the crowd, the alguacil, or bailiff, of the court, carrying a hooked bronze halberd, parted the crowd for a line of judges clad in black robes to enter the enclosure. They sat in the leather seats, right below the 12 stone apostles peering down from the massive cathedral. At the stroke of noon, the bells of the octagonal Miguelete Tower sounded, and the alguacil began calling, in the Valencian language, to plaintiffs and defendants from each acequia who might be in the crowd: “Denunciats de la sèquia de Tormos!” and so on. Because the irrigation system in the huerta is so well structured and efficient from a thousand years of fine-tuning, disputes are rare. But, today, the crowd was lucky enough to witness two separate trials, which were resolved on the spot, just as has been practiced since Moorish times, when the great Mosque of Valencia stood on the same spot. In fact, the tribunal is held outside, rather than inside, the cathedral in © Seth R offman respect for Jewish and Muslim irrigators and occurs on Thursday in deference to the Farmers and traditional ag advocates met with State Sen. Carlos Cisneros and Rep. respective Sabbaths: Muslims (Friday), Jews (Saturday) and Christians (Sunday). Bobby Gonzales in Taos in December to discuss legislation that would expand The Hermanamiento ceremony and presentation of the tribunal’s Medal of Honor the property tax definition of “agricultural use.” was a truly momentous occasion of unique significance for New Mexico’s acequias The Assessor’s Office maintains that its reviews of ag land are fair and mandated and regantes, reforging the links between New Mexico’s by state law. The state considers legitimate ag-land use as land producing a crop and Spain’s sister traditions of water management and their for personal consumption or sale, although some nontraditional ag uses have been communal and democratic customs. i successfully protested. Three bills are pending in the state Legislature, SB112, SB330 and HB112, sponsored by Senator Cisneros and Representatives Gonzales Armando Lamadrid is an independent researcher and editor from New and O’Neill, that would protect and preserve agricultural properties in Taos County Mexico, based in Oslo, Norway. He has conducted research on acequia and and throughout the state of New Mexico. The bills would allow property owners to climate change issues from Nepal and India to Spain and Perú. armando. “rest” agricultural land during long periods of drought without risking a tax hike. [email protected]

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www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 9 Heritage Acequias of Spain The Millennial Huerta of Murcia and the Río Segura Valley Article and photos by Armando Lamadrid

he morning is still fresh, and this semiarid clime. “Her santuario,” of Europe. Moreover, the landscapes swift and thick with silt washed in from the cloudless sky swallows the he continues, “is in the mountains are ancient. One canal in Murcia was the cloudburst the night before, which Tbrightly gleaming sun into its deep that encircle the city, at the site of a found to date from the Romans (3rd caused flooding in some places. blue expanse. My eye follows the miraculous manantial—a wellspring— century B.C.E. to 5th century A.D.), arching heavens earthwards, meeting which had been venerated since ancient and the acequia system in Valencia Huertas are vast, the edge of Murcia’s monolithic, times, before Christianity, when it was a is thought to have originated during ancient cathedral, which etches elegant, shrine of Demeter, the Roman goddess the Moorish occupation of Spain (8th fertile flood plains fluid lines against the brilliant blue of agriculture. And why would a spring to 15th centuries A.D.). Despite their steeped in history, background. A song by Paul Simon is be holy here in Murcia? Well, because productive, cultural and historical triggered by the image as I see “angels it is dry as a bone most of the year, renown, the huertas today are under crisscrossed with in the architecture… and he says, and water is the most vital element for threat from pressures of speculative acequias. Amen! Hallelujah!” the survival of the huerta and soul of urbanization, improper resource Pedro leads the pack into a less-dense Murcia!” Satisfied with having driven management, modernization and, urban belt of the city. He insists that home his point about the significance increasingly, climate change as well. we are following the old city walls, of water here on the Mediterranean Pedro is not a commercial tourist guide. which doubled as a malecón, or flood coast, he glances at his watch and His light eyes, beneath mid-length wavy barrier, even though they have been says, “All right, let’s go! La huerta nos brown hair, are serious with a touch of redesigned as a recreational corridor espera—the huerta awaits us.” humor, and his articulate language and with benches and paths for walking It’s no mistake that huerta doesn’t sharp intellect are all part of the package and bikes. Eventually, we drive up of a young academic-advocate-activist. beside a construction site in the middle He is fighting for the preservation of a suburban area with roads lined of the Huerta de la Vega del Segura with date palms and oleander bushes (of the Segura Valley) from anyone with marzipan-scented flowers. To who would further degrade it, from my surprise, we’re led right over the myopic politicians to shortsighted urban construction site, where a backhoe developers. As his colleagues, thus allies, has recently wreaked havoc on a patch he eagerly ushers us onwards to see the of land. In the background stands a heritage he is fighting to protect. decrepit adobe building with flaking plaster and crumbling walls. I sense From the cathedral, our group of acequia that it is the backhoe’s next victim. academics, activists and enthusiasts Pedro stops right in the middle of from New Mexico, Valencia, Argentina razed earth, and, as we approach, to our and México piles into a caravan of cars surprise, a partially entombed acequia and starts winding through the streets comes into view! What’s more, it runs of the medieval city, following the right underneath the old crumbling meanders of the Río Segura upstream building. toward the huerta’s main azud, a word The Virgin of Fuensanta, Murcia Cathedral of Arabic origin meaning diversion Pedro explains that this old structure dam. Today, the river is a creamy yellow, was previously a mill run by the flow Pedro Jesús Fernández, our local translate easily to English, which guide, calls us into the cathedral, diminishes it to an overly quaint pulling my attention away from the “garden” or “orchard.” But, in fact, captivating medieval exterior, into a huerta is much more than these the dark, cavernous nave inside. The nuclear notions. In Spain, the huerta intersecting, pointed Gothic arches is a network of gardens, fields and look skeletal, like ribs of a giant whale, fruit orchards on a par with a bread supporting vast domes that lift the basket, and a cultural heartland that spirit to a more heavenly plane—the is more than just a place where food is original psychological effect still at grown. Huertas are vast, fertile flood work. We pass marble and gold-clad plains steeped in history, crisscrossed nichos and side-altars with saints and with acequias channeling water from a old oil paintings as we circle around mother stream to thirsty crops. Murcia the centrally located altar, until we (fed by the Río Segura) and Valencia come to the patrona of Murcia, la (by the Río Turia) are the largest and Virgen de Fuensanta. Pedro explains most well-known of these cultural that the Virgen, as her name suggests, landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula and is at the center of the cult of la Fuente two examples out of only six systems Santa—the Holy Spring. Fitting in of such scale and importance in all Old mill on one of Murcia’s acequias

10 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com of acequia water—a fantastic example Compared to New Mexico, Spain invested in it. This type of local water resources used to the seems to be a bastion of cultural of development is totally fullest for a water-powered, sustainable preservation and tradition. But things inconsistent with people’s agricultural-industrial system, which is are not always as they appear. The behavior and needs. The what the huertas signified to Murcia political and capitalist forces driving money could have instead and Valencia, historically. But, as the urbanization across Spain are also been used to restore and heavy machinery suggested, the old fragmenting the cultural landscapes protect the most important mill was slated for demolition and that have sustained the economy and huerta heritage in the thus destined for oblivion. Another culture since time immemorial. Not area, but there is so much limb of Murcia’s rich huerta heritage surprisingly, they are also responsible resistance to this idea today sacrificed on the altar of modernity. for the construction bubble that caused in Murcia.” But why worry about such an old, Spain’s recent financial collapse. At this, the azud mayor crumbling mill, which has long been For the next stop on what we now of the Segura, also called outpaced by the muscle of carbon- understand is a tour of the invisible the contraparada, came based industrialism and outsourced power structures in the huerta of into view. Built in the to cheaper developing countries a Murcia, we pull off onto a dirt road that Muslim period between world away? For the answer, you need veers toward a thick stand of carrizo 800 and 900 A.D., the not look further than the fire in the reeds—similar to those lining New dam is actually a large eyes of Pedro and countless other Mexico’s own rivers and acequias—also weir stretching across the Murcianos and Valencianos; eyes that called phragmites. Large hydraulic Segura’s channel with a have witnessed the importance of the compuertas, or ditch gates on the v-notched crest, giving it a huerta through their lives in the way acequia mayor (main lateral ditch) tooth-like appearance. The it has sustained individual livelihoods, come into view as we park on the edge broad, dentured structure families and an entire culture—a way of an appealing natural park with a smiled, reflecting the “Rueda de la Ñora” water wheel lifts water to a lateral of living, tasting, thinking, being. grove of giant eucalyptus trees. As intense sun as the rain- acequia in the huerta of Murcia we step out into the midday heat of swollen Segura cascaded Huertas are the late-September day, cicadas buzz over it, fanning out in a single, rapidly of life are where we are made and from within the jungle of carrizo flowing sheet over the drop structure. renewed. The romantic history-book under threat from stretching down to what we know is There is nothing like surging water notion of the cradles of civilization, urbanization, the Río Segura by the muffled roar of to pause the human mind because from Mesopotamia to México, are the swollen river. so few things in nature move with suddenly fleshed out in living color as improper resource I sit beside the roaring waters of the management and Segura. climate change. As we head back to the city, we stop one last time at a large water wheel located “The municipality has no interest right in the middle of an acequia. The in preserving such structures, which large noria, called “Rueda de la Ñora,” inform us of our past and express the is designed to lift tons of water to value of the huerta and the acequias, another canal that starts at its apex in which are so important for Murcia. a masonry Roman-style aqueduct. This The politicians are blind to what they’re noria is still functional, evidence of the destroying for the sake of the short- millennial ingenuity and engineering term gain of urbanization. Without savvy visible in the huerta. This is more acequias, without water, there is no than a rural hinterland, antithetical to huerta. And, with no huerta, where modern, urban capitalist “progress,” Pedro Jesús Fernández (in blue) and the Azud Mayor on the Río Segura does that leave us? Faced with future but the historic economic backbone economic crises, how will we access the of the region. Although it does not earth and the water to sustain us if it such constant, focused unity. Staring We walk along a dusty path toward give spectacular short-term returns, is paved over?” at the river at the center of it, I tried the grumbling stream like pilgrims in as does development, it provides a to understand the contradictions of the desert drawn to an oasis. While long-term, stable basis for agricultural With these words, we continue this profound landscape. First, the my eyes remain fixed on the carrizo production, which, in turn, is important upstream along the Segura toward the wild river was harnessed to give rise stands, waiting for the azud and for food security and the maintenance main azud, and our understanding of to a rich culture whose roots stretch spectacle of water in tumult to come of culture and tradition through the the sense of place of the huerta—or, beyond a millennium. Then, the living into view, Pedro’s interpretation of continuation of agriculture. Through to put it in Nuevomexicano terms, substrate, the huerta, is consumed by the place shakes my attention to his Pedro’s guidance, we learned the its querencia—deepens. It is strange urbanization, which spreads like a words. “This natural park is nice. It’s invaluable and transferable lesson to hear of Murcia’s threats as a New lava flow, cutting the community of pretty. There’s even a large restaurant that the huertas, from Murcia to the Mexican, where the onslaught of people from its vital link to the earth. located over there [gesturing behind Río Grande, are important socio- development and commodification Links exiled to the vast, unpopulated, us]. But try to locate the local people environmental canvases of cultural of the land and water is imposed by mechanized industrial agricultural who it was designed for! There’s nobody renewal, identity and economy through American capitalist culture whose lands. It at once becomes clear that the here despite the fact that millions of deep time; their preservation is thus invasion continues even 160 years huerta and all of humanity’s sources after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. euros from the European Union were essential. i www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 11 Beneficial Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Serving families, farms, and communities since 1994

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12 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 13 Safeguarding the Global Cultural Heritage of Community Acequias Luís Pablo Martínez

cequia cultural landscapes provide knowledge integrated by the best in the truest sense of the impressive testimony on the practices of the Greco-Roman, Berber, word. interdependenceA of cultural and Egyptian, Syrian, Mesopotamian, The Andalusi design has natural heritage, as well as on how Arab and Persian water cultures made left its imprint as much heritage can effectively contribute to possible the extension of agriculture in the physical irrigation the promotion of intercultural dialogue throughout the otherwise arid and networks—the tangible and sustainability. The word acequia semiarid landscape that characterizes side of acequia cultural itself embodies a long and fascinating Mediterranean Spain. landscapes—as in the history of cultural transfer from Arab The subtle design of the irrigation institutional arrangements to Iberian and, later, to American systems of Al-Andalus allowed a devised for guaranteeing contexts. the proper conservation and operation of the whole hydraulic system— the intangible side of acequia landscapes. Far from relying on state- controlled, despotic institutional frameworks, Andalusi acequia systems Irrigation in Elche (Spain)

Al Ain Oasis (UAE) is inscribed on the World Hertiage List

When the Iberian Peninsula was single canal to serve a wide range incorporated into the Muslim World of uses, from providing drinking with the name of Al-Andalus (711 water for human consumption and A.D.), the Arab and Berber newcomers livestock to supplying water for local found a land that was in deep decline traditional crops—wheat, vineyards since the times of the late Roman and olive trees, to name a few—and Empire, centuries earlier. The situation new crops imported from as far as lndia was brilliantly reversed in a few and China—rice, sugar cane, orange centuries, as the breathtaking sites trees and more. Besides agriculture, ribunal de las Aguas de la vega de Valencia; Amado B imbo ribunal de las Aguas la vega Valencia; of the Mosque of Córdoba and the acequias drove water wheels and © T Alhambra of Granada demonstrate. mills, fed tanneries and dye works, Irrigation in the Huerta of Valencia (Spain) The splendor of Al-Andalus was supplied public baths and permitted indeed an effect of the agrarian waste disposal for village and urban were governed in an autonomous, Between the 13th and 15th centuries, the revolution promoted by Muslim rulers communities. Water was used and democratic and bottom-up process by superb acequia landscapes of Valencia, and farmers. A wise and innovative reused to the fullest in Andalusi its users, organized in communities of Murcia and Granada in Spain fell into synthesis of local and foreign irrigation acequias, representing sustainability irrigators. Acequia water was viewed the hands of the Christian kings of as common property, and the users’ Aragón and Castile. Far from rejecting annual cooperative work required for them for cultural or religious reasons, keeping the system operational was the Christian newcomers committed essential for cohesion and identity in themselves to their preservation and local communities. even enlargement. And between the th th The value of acequia systems is not only 16 and 18 centuries, the Spanish cultural but also environmental. The colonists made use of acequias to ditches—often simple trenches dug consolidate new settlements throughout in the earth—promoted the extension arid and semiarid parts of the Americas of riparian habitats far beyond natural and even to the northern Philippines. streams to which acequia waters, driven Despite its great historic, cultural © Anna C. H ansen ( by gravity, returned after having met and environmental significance, © Luís Pablo M artíne (3) Pablo © Luís the needs of irrigation. Acequia systems acequia heritage has received little Palmeral of Elche (Spain) is inscribed on the World Hertiage List replicated the natural cycle of water. continued on page 32

14 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com NM Acequias and World Heritage: A Proposal Carlos Ortiz Mayordomo and Lina Gracia

he nomination of Acequias of dissemination of these techniques, emphasized, according New Mexico to the UNESCO perfected in the Arab world during to UNESCO T(United Nations Educational, the Middle Ages. The tradition took criterion iv, “to Scientific and Cultural Organization) root in the Iberian Peninsula and be an outstanding list of Intangible Cultural Heritage was transmitted to the Americas by example of a type of of Humanity has been proposed by Spain. The creation of these communal building, architectural various groups worldwide, with the goal systems in a new setting is the final or technological of promoting validation, conservation stage in their transmission. A system ensemble or landscape and transmission of traditional already recognized by UNESCO that which illustrates knowledge and practice. Acequias have shares many traits with the Acequias significant stages in always enabled the sustainable and of New Mexico is the Palmeral de human history.” But productive use of community lands. Elche, a millennial oasis community the documentation The landscape created by traditional in southern Spain, crisscrossed by of pueblo culture, agricultural systems over time has acequias and groves of date palms, which emphasized the become part of a regional identity. citrus and gardens. The UNESCO buildings and their The acequias of New Mexico are an criteria applied there would be the protection, was not immense cultural heritage, sustained same ones deployed for New Mexico. profound. Today, the over many generations. Today, they pueblo community are subdivisions of the state. A great would perhaps be body of research and practice already Acequia heritage offers interested in revising exists that documents the social and a wealth of knowledge. and broadening the institutional functions of acequias. scope to include But which specific acequias would be The proposed nomination is so fully criterion ii, “to nominated? Several years ago, the New substantiated that the next strategic exhibit an important

Mexico Acequia Association voted for © Seth R offman (2) steps will involve coordination and interchange of human recognition of the tradition itself, rather A canoa, hollowed-out logs over an intermittent stream; a reflection rather than more research. values, over a span than a particular place or example. But once common structure that is still part of the Las Trampas of time or within a The character of each tradition on the selection of such a place might be acequia system in northern New Mexico cultural area of the the World Heritage List, and the necessary for the nomination process. world, on developments in architecture align with criterion vi. It is one of the authenticity of each, is based on its Inclusion on the list is not easy. In or technology, monumental arts, most important Catholic pilgrimage Universal Exceptional Value. The recent years, UNESCO has considered town planning or landscape design.” destinations in the United States, the process of identifying these aspects countries with less influence and little Addressing criterion vi, “to be directly center of social, cultural and spiritual is described in the Operational representation. It would be advisable to or tangibly associated with events or life and a depository of a valuable Guidelines of UNESCO, with 10 build upon a place already recognized, living traditions, with ideas, or with Intangible Heritage. Criteria of Recognized Value (http:// such as Taos Pueblo, which has been a beliefs, with artistic and literary works whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/). For a World Heritage site since 1992. An ideal collaboration between the of outstanding universal significance” heritage tradition to be listed requires Acequias and the Pueblo of Taos Since 1992, the multidimensionality of would recognize the sacred character that it meet at least one of these. The could meet the UNESCO criteria and the values that constitute Heritage has of Blue Lake and the buffalo pasture acequias of the Americas, of which expand the geographical definition of evolved a lot. The architectural character near the pueblo. those of New Mexico are notable the “Pueblo of Taos” so that: of Taos Pueblo and its continuity were examples, represent the Western An example of the difficult but positive • It be included with the TVAA with relationship between the pueblo and the name “Pueblo and Acequias of the Acequias of Taos valley can be What Are Acequias? Taos Valley” found in the Abeyta Accords of 2012, Acequias are the age-old, hand-dug, • The criteria of inscription for the in which the pueblo and the Taos gravity-fed irrigation ditches in northern “Pueblo and Acequias of Taos Valley” New Mexico that make possible the Valley Acequia Association (TVAA) be related to the recognition of the cultivation of locally grown food. But they participated. This accord establishes Camino Real de Tierra Adentro represent much more than that. As a social the basis for a lasting collaboration (south of the U.S. border and on system implanted into the hydrological between the groups. Abeyta defines cycle for community subsistence, acequias through New Mexico), listed by a clear territorial base that could constitute a place-based knowledge UNESCO in 2010, given its historic tighten the geographic area for the of watershed, intertwined with food linkage with Taos. traditions, community and culture. They UNESCO proposal—the Acequias • The historic collaboration are an instructive example of democratic of Taos, not in and of themselves, but between TVAA and Taos Pueblo self-governance, stewardship and sharing representing, as well, all those acequias be recognized for the creation of resources. They are also the defining in the hemisphere constructed in structure of their ecosystem. The unlined of a territorially defined cultural collaboration with native groups. ditches allow water to seep into and landscape in contiguous spaces that recharge local aquifers, providing a rich Because of its spiritual significance share the same natural resources. riparian zone for wildlife, shade trees and native plants. and link with the acequia world, the • The values inherent in the Acequias An acequia in Embudo, New Mexico Santuario de Chimayó could also be recognized for their importance continued on page 30 www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 15 Valle de Allende and Aldama Roots of Acequia Culture in Northern México

Article and photos by Enrique Lamadrid

he roots of New Mexico’s acequias New Mexico. To slake their thirst, they garlic, beans and melons still may still be traced along the followed the Río Conchos north, even thrive there. They were adapted to Tperennial desert streams that feed the though it added many weeks to the Mesoamerican and northern desert great Conchos River in Chihuahua, journey. Coronado came up the coastal soils and climates by Tlaxcalan the largest tributary of the Río Grande/ route in 1540, and Oñate, in 1598, went Indian horticulturalists, who also Bravo, named after the shell-trading straight north across the deserts to beat brought varieties of corn, chile, natives who lived on its banks. Two the winter snows of New Mexico. As beans and squash that had not yet communities that still practice the old early as 1563, Franciscan friars started come north. Desert-adapted breeds ways of community-managed water a mission in San Bartolomé to serve of sturdy horses, cattle, sheep, are Valle de Allende and Aldama. Both the pecan-gathering Indians who lived goats and pigs also came up the are far removed from the big dams there. The colonists of 1598, who settled Camino Real, spreading behind and conservancy districts that erased the upper Río Grande, spent many them the seeds of the navajita, or traditional acequia culture the same months in the area, waiting for their little razor grass, which grew faster way that Elephant Butte Dam did in permits to head north. than native grasses to feed them. the north. As teachers at the new missions, Well into the 19th the Tlaxcalans shared this bounty century, Valle de with the Pueblo Indians. Side Allende was the by side with other settlers, their An ancestral pecan tree, Valle de Allende aduana, or entry strategic alliance with the Spanish point, into New crown for the conquest of México, in Mexico because 1521, earned them the same rights it is located on the to own land and become hidalgos Camino Real de as other settlers. They helped found Tierra Adentro. new settlements with Spanish and Everyone Basque settlers with names like traveling north or Oñate, Archuleta, Mondragón south checked in and Ulibarrí, whose specialty was here for approval mining. Twin communities were and inspection. the norm, with allied Indians on one Animals had to be side of the river and the Spanish on healthy, and only the other. Like all the cities of the soldiers, officials Camino Real, Santa Fe followed or families with the same design and layout. with papers were permitted Valle de Allende’s acequia system to travel. For also dates to the 16th century and is Valle de San Bartolomé and San Jerónimo, Nueva Vizcaya, became many decades, remarkable for its smooth transition Valle de Allende and Aldama, Chihuahua, in the 19th Century no single men from rural to urban zones. On except soldiers the outskirts, several stretches of In the upper reaches of the feeder were allowed into New Mexico, so as the acequia madre flow through streams of the Conchos flows the Río not to upset the social equilibrium. elegant tunnels chiseled through Florido and the Río del Valle de Allende, Wisely, the government preferred rock outcrops, the handiwork of the oldest Euro-American agricultural married soldiers. Spanish names of the the miners. As it enters town, the complex in northern México. Founded old rosters read like the phone books of water goes underground, flowing in 1569 and originally named San modern Albuquerque, Santa Fe or Taos. through beautiful, arched masonry Bartolomé, this beautiful spring-fed and Roman-style galleries. Then, it In 1825, San Bartolomé was changed valley fed the miners of the Santa channels alongside streets, under to honor one of the four martyred Bárbara mining district, discovered sidewalks, through and even under insurgents of the wars of independence— two years earlier. An 80-mile riparian houses, where precious water is Allende, Jiménez, Aldama and Hidalgo. forest of native pecans is the lush captured in patio fountains and Valle de Allende was the cradle of ecological setting. Some are truly aljibes, or stone water cisterns, the new agriculture of New Mexico giants, have names and are more than before reaching walled gardens and is still home to an astounding three centuries old. My favorite, with and orchards. Acequias need to variety of heritage crops. Four kinds of an 18-foot diameter and 350 rings, was be constantly attended to avoid pears, quinces, two kinds of apricots, named Sixto and was finally blasted by flooding, and footpaths on their several types of apples and plums, lightning a couple of years ago. banks became streets as the town peaches, persimmons, multicolored grew. The acequia official, who This valley was the point of departure pomegranates, figs, grapes, and all of literally does the watching, is the Acequias of Valle de Allende for most of the expeditions that explored the Spanish grains, greens, onions,

16 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com veedor, or seer, and walks the streets their favorite neoclassical style with the and has the keys to all the hobbit-sized name of San Jerónimo. Acequias were doors on all the properties, which open routed down from the Río Chuvíscar, to allow his vigilance. and each was planted with an alameda, or bower of álamos (cottonwoods), the New Mexico has many shade of which slowed evaporation under a scorching desert sun. The three lessons to learn about acequias meet not far from the plaza itself from its historic in a repartidero, a series of masonry canals and gates for measuring out the sister communities water. Ancient trees still preside over to the south. the spot, which has become a municipal park, always fresh with flowing water. Water is apportioned according to Typically, the lower trunk of each giant the kind of crops being grown. Pecan cottonwood is painted white, like a orchards are generously watered by petticoat for a much-loved grandmother. un buey de agua, the measure of water that reaches the belly of an ox standing The old maps in San Jerónimo’s archive Details from San Jerónimo de Aldama Church in the ditch. Other measures are based read like a page torn straight out of the on the diameter of fruits, progressing Nuevas Leyes de Indias, which prescribed in size from limón (lime) to naranja the way towns should ideally be laid (orange) or toronja (grapefruit) up to out to maximize resources, to create melón (melon), depending on the size inviting public spaces, to facilitate civic of the garden plot. Square stones are defense and to celebrate the social perforated to size, set and changed when order. To one side of the plaza is the necessary, at the spot where the water church, to the other the Casas Reales, enters. Measuring stones like these were the residence and office that received found at Rancho de las Golondrinas, visits of royal administrators. After south of Santa Fe, and were only independence, the name was changed recently identified. Careful management to honor the secular hero Aldama, and of water has sustained a lush paradise the same government buildings became in the desert, which the town of 5,000 municipal headquarters. Prominent shares on weekends with the people of Spanish families lived near the plaza. the nearby bustling city of Parral, whose Indian families had their own barrios, people flock to the parks and swimming or neighborhoods. Agricultural plots, holes of Valle de Allende. or suertes, were so named because they were literally chosen by luck in Located on the Río Chuvíscar, a drawing. In the original plan drawn downstream and east of Chihuahua The Partidor that divides the three acequias th by civil engineer Manuel Marcazo, City, Aldama is a much newer 18 - of Aldama, all under the watchful eye of one hundred families each got a suerte century settlement artfully built around the Aguador measuring 200 by 400 varas, a measure water. Early in the century, in 1707, roughly equivalent to a yard. Water the Jesuits encroached on Franciscan the early 20th century and the narco wars rights were measured in time, and each territory to minister to the Chinarras at its close. The datas, or water rights, have suerte was given a data, which was 12 Indians and built the spectacular Santa been inherited, sold and consolidated into hours of use every 14 days. Today, the Ana de Chinarras church in the same fewer and fewer hands. The main cash official who watches the water and massive but ethereal, whitewashed style crop is now pecans because cornfields mediates disputes in Aldama is called as the San Xavier del Bac church in and gardens have diminished. But people the aguador, the waterer. Tucson. Only a few people survived a still harvest their beloved fruit trees, and massive Apache attack in 1769, and the Aldama survived the precipitous growth the quince preserves and wine of Aldama area was abandoned. of Chihuahua City because its access to are famous. Today, new business owners water was preserved by law. Because the in the city of 15,000—three times the Years later, in 1781, the Franciscans river only flows during the rainy season, size of Valle de Allende—have to be Enrique Lamadrid is a cultural historian, took over and built a church nearby in farmers still have reminded not to block the acequias that literary folklorist, and acequia activist who access to a generous still flow along sidewalks. The town is edits the Querencias Series at UNM Press, water table, and the now frequented by city-weary residents of after his retirement as a long-time Spanish professor at UNM. He and Estevan Arellano old acequias are Chihuahua, who escape to enjoy Aldama’s wrote John recharged by pumps. parks, swimming pools and greenery. This the Bear and Aldama also has enlightened vision of a desert paradise, the Water survived successive built around flowing waters, is still intact of Life / social upheavals— and much appreciated, even as it survives La Acequia the Reforma, or into the 21st century. New Mexico has de Juan del Oso, a story modernization many lessons to learn about itself from of the Bear’s period of the 1860s, its historic sister communities to the Son and the history of the Mora Acequias. A field of corn in Valle de Allende a major revolution in south. i [email protected] www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 17 Scottish Rite Center

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18 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 19 Tlaxcala and Aranjuez Keystone Gardens of the Columbian Exchange Enrique Lamadrid and Armando Lamadrid

he agricultural bounty of the Many, many plants came through the defeat of the despotic Columbian Exchange was such a this system to the rest of Europe and, Aztecs, in 1521, but to the Tbonanza to people on both sides of the eventually, to Asia and Africa. For care and husbandry of the Atlantic that new plants and animals example, life-saving crops like the Eurasian agricultural legacy. immediately began spreading from vitamin-rich tomato went to places On their way to Tenochtitlán, hand to hand to mouth along ancient like Italy, not directly from Mexico, the conquistadors of Hernán and modern trade routes. Realizing the its place of origin, but through Spain Cortés left their stores of seeds strategic importance of the exchange, after acclimatization. Other history- and cuttings in the hands Topografía del Real Sitio de Aranjuez (Domingo de Aguirre,1755), left, and Satellite image of Aranjuez (Google Earth, 2011), right the Spanish Empire did its best to changing crops like potatoes followed of expert Tlaxcalan Indian understand and control the transmission. more informal lines of distribution. horticulturalists. Beginning in th th north, and the Caminos Reales, or royal From the 16 to the 18 centuries, more Ordinary Spanish sailors, who had the jollas, or fertile hollows, just west of roads. In New Mexico, the Tlaxcalans than 50 expeditions were commissioned been to the Andes and fallen in love the grand plaza of the city, crops were became the teachers and what we would to collect plants and animals from an with potatoes, took them to places with carefully tended and acclimatized to a today call the “extension agents” for the increasingly far-flung empire. A network similar climates, the mountainous and variety of soils and moisture levels. Dry missions to the Pueblo Indians. They of jardines de aclimatización, or gardens moist valleys of Galicia, where they farming and irrigated farming were not told them, “We are also people of the of acclimatization, were run by state and thrived. Ireland got them not from Perú the only methods. The chinampas, or corn, but you are going to love the grains church to determine which new species but from Spain. raised-bed farms in wetland areas, also and fruits that we bring.” might benefit agriculture and medicine. played a role. The new grains, vegetables, In New Spain, the alliance between Because most of the Iberian Peninsula and fruits were successfully adapted to On the other side of the Atlantic, the Spanish Crown and the city state is semiarid, acequia technology played a cultivation in Mesoamerica, not only to Spanish ships dutifully unloaded stores of Tlaxcala was the key, not only to key role in this epic story. the fertile valleys of the south but for the of new seeds, cuttings and potted vast arid lands of the north. plants at the port cities of Cádiz and Sevilla, both of which maintained New plants and nearby acclimatization gardens. From there, they were sent out to a network animals began of gardens in different Iberian climates spreading along for propagation and experimentation. Plant samples and seeds were often ancient and modern ruined by seawater on storm-tossed trade routes. voyages, but horticulturalists developed expertise at reviving them. The most In 1591, with a list of generous famous plant doctors were monks from guarantees, or Capitulaciones, which the monasteries of Cataluña, who could included the right to use horses and work wonders. With experience, better arms, the right to found autonomous watertight containers were designed, communities, and exemption from and potted plants survived in protective taxes and personal service, the Crown crates with slings, springs and adjustable invited the Tlaxcalans to participate ventilation. The Royal Navy maintained in the settlement of the north. In a a more specialized garden near the 1591 Capitulaciones de Tlaxcala Plaza of Tlaxcala, 1530s kind of Tlaxcalan Diaspora, 400 young smaller port of Málaga, where medicinal native families headed north from plants were tested. Sailors on long their homeland to co-found new, twin voyages were vulnerable to diseases and settlements all the way to Texas and bad nutrition, and naval doctors were New Mexico. The hybrid agriculture always searching out better strategies they took north supplied the Camino to maintain shipboard health. de la Plata, the militarized road that connected the great silver mines of the The most spectacular and best-preserved

The Columbian Exchange As soon as Christopher Columbus started picking up seeds, plants and animals to take back to Spain, and doing the same thing in the other direction, he started what historians call the “Columbian Exchange.” Since he was interested in spices, he immediately noticed small, round, wild chile berries and took them home, thinking they were a kind of peppercorn, which is why people still call them “chile peppers.” Some scholars who would rather not mention Columbus call the process the “Grand Exchange.” Either way, this widespread relocation of plants, animals, diseases, humans and ideas between the Eurasian and American hemispheres from 1492 forward changed the world forever. Departure for the Northlands, 1591 (mural in Tlaxcala)

20 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com of paths and avenues are still lined with trees from the global Spanish Empire like the Lebanese cedar, the Chinese tree of life, the Virginia tulip, the Louisiana dry ash, the Nive laurel, the Carolina poplar, the New England pine, the Jerusalem and Arcadia pine, the American acacia, the maple and plane tree from Canada. Topografía del Real Sitio de Aranjuez (Domingo de Aguirre,1755), left, and Satellite image of Aranjuez (Google Earth, 2011), right

jardín de aclimatización was developed at © Armando Lamadrid (2) the Real Sitio, or royal site, of Aranjuez, Castañuelas Waterfall along the Ría (grand a former royal hunting preserve not far canal) of the Tajo River next to the Royal south of Madrid in a wooded valley Palace surrounded on all sides by semiarid But the experimental farms and gardens mesas. The 5,000-acre area around remained a part of the foundational the confluence of the Jarama and Tajo vision and purpose. First, a complete rivers features a variety of well-drained inventory and study of native Iberian soils, supplied by an intricate network plants were commissioned to set of acequias and artificial wetlands. a baseline from which to better The visionary Hapsburg king, Felipe understand all the exotic plants II, built a summer residence there in continuously coming in thereafter. the latter half of the 16th century, as The groves of native elms and poplars well as the austere Escorial monastery of Aranjuez were supplemented in the north of Madrid, from which he th latter 16 century with trees from all administered the expanding empire. over Spain, such as blackberry, ash, But Aranjuez was much more than The Ría, or grand acequia diverted from the Río Tajo, flowing over the man-made continued on page 22 a royal retreat. Felipe II had a keen Castañuelas Waterfall next to the Royal Palace interest in botany and deployed the best landscape architects, hydraulic engineers and horticulturalists in Europe. Their plans were systematically built over the Bounty of the Columbian Exchange subsequent four centuries. Enrique Lamadrid and Armando Lamadrid At first, the baroque notion of the ost schoolchildren know that the culinary infrastructure of empires, there was excellent, the key step of lime earthly paradise was the inspiration, but corn comes from México and but it also allowed peasants to survive processing used in México was skipped. along the guidelines of ideal geometry Mpotatoes are from Perú. In history class the destruction of marauding armies. Corn was ground directly into meal and proportion. Reticular, radial and they learn about the potato famine in Soldiers could easily steal away with and consumed as porridge and polenta. orthogonal layouts for fields, orchards Ireland and may have heard about the entire stores of grain from a barn. But Millions of people ate little else. and gardens blended harmoniously perils of monocropping, that is, the they never had time to dig up potatoes, First came persistent diarrhea, then into newer populated areas. Aranjuez planting of only one kind of plant. which stayed safe in the ground for extreme dermatitis. Sun-exposed areas grew from retreat to pleasure palace Fewer realize that tomatoes are not people to use as they needed them. of skin simply peeled off. The sour- and showcase of cultural achievement. from Italy but, rather, from México. skin disease—pellagra in Italian— The improvements of Bourbon monarch And very few have heard that chile did in end stages resulted in dementia. Fernando VII in the early 19th century not originate in México but, instead, Pellagra killed hundreds of thousands. reflected the esthetics and scientific from Bolivia, as recent DNA studies Eighteenth-century scientists in Spain developments of the Enlightenment, have shown. However, México was the and Italy ruled out fungus and spoiling plus a continuous calendar of cultural jumping-off place from which chile as causes, then discovered that the activities. A navigable channel was cut traveled west on the Manila galleons nutrition of corn goes unreleased with between the two rivers where luxurious and took Asia and India by storm. milling alone. It is the chemical action golden barges floated with receptions, The so-called Columbian Exchange of lime that makes the niacin in corn concerts and plays. The beautifully of flora and fauna between Europe digestible to the body. planned towns supplied a larger labor and America after 1492 is more than The tomato story is epic. It is a force to operate the complex. dinner-table trivia. As it spread to Asia Serafina Lombardi digs potatoes with brilliant member of Solanacea, the and Africa, it changed the history of Don Bustos in Santa Cruz, New Mexico same generous nightshade family that In the environs of the palace, every kind the world. of formal garden was laid out to recall The corn story is epic. Three times includes potatoes, chile and eggplants, the four corners of the Holy Roman The potato story is epic. It is such more productive than wheat, it became which were India’s gift to the world. Empire, the Flemish, French, English, a complete food that populations the staple of the poorest parts of Europe regained its health because Italian and Arabic styles. Many miles exploded wherever it went. It became Europe. Since milling technology continued on page 22

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 21 Tlaxcala continued from page 21 Bounty continued from page 21 of the vitamin-laden tomato, and it forever. After Old World plagues like became a life-saving staple in many smallpox and malaria decimated the countries. What it lacked in calories indigenous population, a new labor it made up for in flavor and nutrients. force with enhanced immunity to these diseases was introduced from Africa, Beans and other legumes traveled both and slavery was institutionalized. ways across the Atlantic, increasing When the Spanish conquest extended the ranges in which they could grow through Mesoamerica and the Andes, and bringing more flavors to the table. the Exchange intensified. Rarely included in the legume list because people don’t eat it directly is With the new diversity of domestic alfalfa, with its Arabic name and its flora and fauna, in the next five centuries nitrogen-fixing talent of improving people were able to adapt the bounty soils wherever it goes. The great to the different climates they inhabited, Cucurbitaceae family of squashes also from the tropics to the temperate traveled both ways, and America fell zones, from rainforests to deserts.

© Armando Lamadrid (2) in love instantly with sweet melons, Since the Iberian Peninsula was largely Lateral canal irrigating groves of native and exotic trees in the illustrious Jardín de la Persia’s gift to the world. arid, the Spanish also brought their expertise in the ancient art of irrigation Reina The great Exchange began the moment and added it to the knowledge of the Christopher Columbus landed on walnut, willows and almonds. The old. Scientists eventually noticed that people they encountered. For the one Guanahani island in the Bahaman inventory of Eurasian fruit orchards American tree species that most loved vital source for all life is water. still found there is encyclopedic, with the acequias and hot summer climate of archipelago on Oct. 12, 1492, and was more than 60 types of pear, 30 of Aranjuez were from humid regions of framed for centuries by Eurocentric The impact of American agriculture apple, 11 plums, eight cherries, six Florida, Louisiana and the Mississippi scholars as the “discovery” and conquest was huge in Europe. In the Americas, apricots, two hawthorns, two loquats, Valley. of the Americas. Now, postcolonial European cereals, fruits and legumes 54 apricots and peaches, two figs, two scholars more objectively call it the thrived in temperate climates, but the The landscapes of Aranjuez are a pomegranates and only one type of Euro-American Encounter. Imperial biggest impact was from domestic harmonious blend of the cultivated blackberry tree. politics aside, the flora and fauna of animals, of which there were few in and the built, of nature and culture in the so-called Columbian Exchange the Americas. The horse changed A harmonious blend rational enlightened balance. Today, were globalized. Every voyage to and the political balance, and the other of nature and culture they form the only UNESCO (United from the Americas took plants and grazing animals changed the face of Nations Educational, Scientific and animals—as well as diseases—back and the landscape forever, especially when in rational Cultural Organization) Cultural forth across the Atlantic, eliminating overgrazing began degrading the enlightened balance Landscape in central Spain, a world the watery barrier that had separated land. Politics and empires aside, the heritage site that reminds us of the the continents. bounty of the Columbian Exchange Because vegetable gardens come antiquity and hybridity of our acequia set the stage for the huge increases in In the Caribbean, introduced plants and go, varying from year to year, culture. population that threaten our generous it is the trees of Aranjuez that bear like sugarcane, bananas, coconut palms st In the late summer of 2014, we drove but finite planet in the 21 century. i witness to the centuries of agricultural and rice changed economy and society south from Madrid across the arid experimentation. There are thriving mesas, and the highway dropped cinnamon trees from the Philippines as abruptly into the verdant valleys of the tall as anywhere in their native islands. continued from page 7 Jarama and Tajo. To our delight, the Don Bustos There are groves of pecan trees from the entire complex of groves, orchards and The third and most historic event for me was the signing of the Libro de Oro del upper Mississippi Valley. One specimen palaces was completely surrounded by Tribunal. I was given the responsibility and honor of writing on one page of the nicknamed “El Macho” towers almost cornfields! i tribunal’s book of history, a book that records over 800 years. New Mexico and its 200 feet tall and is more than 350 years acequia association now have a page in the history of Spanish water law. As I write this, my heart races as I think of the importance of using our water responsibly for growing food and to ensure the healthy system that the acequias protect.

I appreciated learning more about the history of farming in this region of Spain, from the conquest by the Romans, when grains were the main crops to feed the troops, to now, where Valencia is the winter garden of Spain, with four harvests to satisfy the tastes of the people. They maintain a strong sense of pride because of their independence and a feeling of being secure in knowing that decisions made are based on a thousand year history. i Don Bustos is secretary and board member of the New Mexico Acequia Association and runs his family’s Santa Cruz Farm as an example of small, sustainable Don Bustos and Enric Aguilar hold agriculture in northern New Mexico. [email protected] El Tribunal de las Aguas

22 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 23 Water Management and Acequias in Chile Ovidio Melo, Rafaela Retamal and José Luís Arumí

f you have enjoyed the excellent in the mountain snowpack and wines of Chile or the delicious fruit groundwater systems that feed andI grapes that brighten the North the rivers. The Andes are so American winter, you have had direct, high in Chile that glaciers also personal contact with the acequias of contribute to the watersheds. Chile. Streamflow is diverted from rivers and delivered to the While Chile is almost as long as the croplands through complex United States is wide, the distance from networks of irrigation canals.

An irrigated valley of central Chile user in central Chile, farmers have been who distributed the resource in areas responsible for water administration, of scarcity. During the first century organized in what we call of independence, water management “Organizaciones de Usuarios de Agua” went through no significant changes. or Water Users Organizations (WUOs). The president of the Republic had the WUOs bring together the tasks of authority to make water grants and extraction, conveyance, distribution delegated this power to intendants and and storage in order to allocate water governors, who appointed the water for its best use. In addition, they act as judges. © Alejandro López A fruit market in Santiago de Chile

the country’s Pacific coast to the eastern Through the 1990s, most of the Andean border averages only 110 miles. irrigation in Chile was done by The irrigated central valley is 620 miles acequias. A traditional person we long, with Santiago in the center. To the used to see at the fields was El Palero, north is the Atacama, the driest desert the counterpart of New Mexico’s on Earth. The Chilean Patagonia to the mayordomo. The introduction of new south is as rainy as coastal Alaska. irrigation technology and the opening of new markets for Chilean fruit have In central Chile, irrigation is needed changed agriculture. Today, El Palero is during summer months because rain is being replaced by technicians operating concentrated during Chile’s winter— pressurized irrigation systems. May to August. As in New Mexico,

agriculture depends on water stored Because irrigation is the main water Arumí (3) © José Luís “El Palero”: Traditional Chilean irrigator in a vineyard

the initial forum for conflict resolution, maintain updated member registries The first written Chilean water and oversee and monitor extractions, regulations date to 1819, during the among other things. In that sense, the administration of President Bernardo Chilean WUOs have many similarities O’Higgins, who issued a Supreme to New Mexico’s acequias, which is not Decree that defined the volume of the a surprise because we share a similar regador as a unit of flow approximately history. half a cubic foot per second, forms of sale, and responsibility for intake structures. Before independence, all areas of Later, in 1855, the first Civil Code Spanish America were characterized by was adopted. It included regulations the same social and political structures. not substantially different from those In Chile, water grants were made by the previously described. Then, various governor, who represented the viceroy municipal ordinances were adopted to of Perú and the president of the Royal solve water-grant distribution conflicts Court. For their part, the governor and in the northern and central zones and Diversion on the Río Cachapoal the council designated water judges, continued on page 26

24 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com The Zanjeras of Northern Luzon José A. Rivera

ost of us associate the Philippine Islands as a wet tropical zone and do not to the ingenuity characteristic of expect to find acequia-irrigated landscapes. However, unlike the verdant the people from Ilocos Norte, Mrice terraces of the Mountain Province in north-central Luzon that are humid these peasants fashioned a bold year-round, agriculture in the Ilocos Norte Province to the northwest requires experiment that would exchange irrigation during a prolonged dry season that extends from late October to May. water for land. Specifically, groups Much of this region is located between the highlands of the Cordillera Central on of aspiring farmers offered to the east and a coastal area north and west toward the South China Sea. The rice build diversions on the major fields in the coastal lowlands in particular require flood irrigation six months of the rivers, dig out zanjas extending year to supplement the wet season when torrential rains are common. Most of the into the properties held by agricultural lands of Ilocos Norte are community-based, similar to the acequias of landowners, and distribute water the upper Río Grande of New Mexico and southern Colorado. And, like the Río from the head to the tail-end Grande acequias, they too operate outside of government as commons property sections of land, all in exchange held by the irrigators themselves, the zanjeros. for land membership shares, or atars, allocated to them by the original landowners. In exchange, each willing landowner would benefit from the water in the system to irrigate larger blocks of

farmland he would retain for his ©José R ivera (2) own production. To structure this Bamboo brush and rock dam unique arrangement, the zanjeros and each landowner formalized a written agreement, or convenio, along with a land-division map indicating more or less equal shares of land to each farmer, often in three or four different sections of the irrigation system to ensure equity of land distribution and access to water from the head to the tail, and larger blocks of land to be retained by the landowner. These land and water arrangements were always local as to proportionality but, in a typical model, un tercio (one-third) would remain with the landowner and dos tercios (two-thirds) with the zanjeros. Once set into place, the atar lands were controlled corporately by the zanjera association. Like the Río Grande acequias, they operate Zanjero Ilocano adjusting headgate outside of government as commons property held by the irrigators themselves. How and when did zanjeras originate? The topography of Ilocos Norte contains limited land along the narrow coastal plains flanked by interspersed mountain Literature about the origins of the zanjeras is sparse, but most historians date spurs that extend inland to the higher slopes of the Cordillera Central to the them to around 1740, with additional ones developed by the late 1890s and into east. Most of these foothill sections and the valley lowlands are drained by the the turn of the century. Once the zanjera model was established, more systems Laoag, Vintar and Abra rivers. To develop a viable farm economy based principally would evolve in response to population growth, surplus labor, reduction in farm on rice production, diversions, canals and other infrastructure would have to be sizes and the limitations of the topography. Eventually, the headcount reached built as the coastal population increased, especially during the Spanish regime about 680 in the Ilocos Norte Province, as recorded by the National Irrigation that introduced new forms of human settlement and cropping patterns. In order Administration, by 1979. Another quandary is whether the zanjeras were of to build projects at this scale, including dams that would contend with typhoon Spanish origin to any significant degree. The dates of construction and when they storms and flooding during the wet season, farmers had to work cooperatively flourished coincide with the Spanish regime that began in the middle 16th century during the initial period of construction and continuously for the operations and and ended in 1898. The first ethnographic report on the zanjera societies did not maintenance of the canals to ensure water delivery across the contiguous parcels of emerge until 1914, but, based on letters and other reports from the Augustinian rice fields. During the monsoon seasons, the traditional dams made from bamboo missions along the Ilocos coast, the friars assigned to Ilocos Norte promoted the stakes, brush, sandbags and rocks were often washed out and had to be rebuilt expansion of irrigated agriculture, including the construction of dikes and canals, and sometimes relocated as the river channels moved. Unlike concrete structures as new settlements arose in the lands surrounding the missions. To date, much of that are permanent but capital-intensive, in the early days the zanjeros preferred the lexicon of zanjeras persists in Castilian Spanish well past the colonial regime to build collapsible dams they could rebuild or relocate with their own labor and that ended in 1898. Many of the irrigation terms and names for water officials local construction materials. were derived from Spanish and incorporated into the native Ilocano. Ethnographic studies as late as the 1960s report that some zanjera documents continued to be Landholdings were small or none at all, as in the case of peasant and tenant farmers. found in the possession of the members, still written in Spanish, even though From this core evolved two types of irrigation societies. Those who owned and by then this language was no longer familiar to the zanjeros. Interestingly, the worked their farmlands provided labor and materials for the construction of their members nonetheless could recite the contents of these documents since the rules zanjera systems, much like was done in colonial New Mexico, and they also devised and regulations along with other agreements were handed down orally. plans for water distribution. These owner-operated systems likely came first, since the landowners could control both land and water resources to suit their needs. Water management practices appear to be modeled from Iberian traditions. Other Ilocanos were not as fortunate, especially those without landholdings. True Along the Ilocos coastal plains, the early churches were built between 1650 and continued on page 30 www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 25 Acequias in Chile continued from page 24

organize the use of water grants through a result, over the years they have brought the creation of vigilance committees. lawsuits against the state. The rights of Consequently, the water judges had these communities are now included in to resolve conflicts, and members of discussions about possible modifications the vigilance committees adjudicated to the current water law. water distribution according to grants Globalization pressures, international given by the state. Those vigilance markets and demands from social committees were the first attempts to sectors seeking a better quality of organize management around water life, environmental protection and demand, a model that has endured to respect for indigenous communities the present day. © José Luís Arumí © José Luís Chilean students on the acequia

The Chilean water management system are changing agriculture and irrigation is similar to the acequia systems of in Chile. The system is evolving to New Mexico in that both stem from respond to new social demands and Spanish tradition at the northern and expanding uses for water for human southern extremes of the American consumption, agriculture and the colonies. Until the early 20th century in environment. New Mexico and the late 20th century The authors wish to express our thanks in Chile, these systems relied on water for the support given by the Chilean management governed by the people Scientific Council (Conicyt) that use the water. through the project Conicyt/ In New Mexico, the 1907 water code Fondap/15130015. i put the Office of the State Engineer in charge of all waters, separated water rights from agricultural lands and gave priority rights to Indian tribes. In Chile in the 1970s, when the Agrarian Reform broke up large estates, centralized management disappeared, and acequias started declining. In the 1980s, Neoliberal programs separated land from water rights, which were privatized with the emergence of agribusiness. But politics aside, across history, the management of water remains with WUOs, with the state still José Luís Arumí is a civil engineer, research in a regulatory role. professor and dean of the School of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Concepción, One major difference is that, in Chile, the Chile, where Ovidio Melo and Rafaela water rights of indigenous communities Retamal (unpictured) are his colleagues. have not yet been taken into account. As [email protected]

26 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Land and Water in the Middle East The Yemen Connection Juan Estevan Arellano

he word acequia seems to have its of the land. Only people with such Other Sabean words that relate to water management and distribution of water. roots in Yemen. Sabaean was the knowledge and wisdom can survive in are As-sirr (as-sarr in Sabeo-Arabic), Contrary to the Romans, famous for Tlanguage spoken by the Yemenis, and this harsh environment. They not only watercourse in the mountains. The word their big hydraulic projects, the Yemenis it seems most of the words related to survived but thrived and, as a result, sierra may actually be derived from this had specialized in micro-engineering of hydrology came from Sabaean, an old found the knowledge and wisdom word. Al-jahl, a rapid watercourse with water for community projects. South Arabian language. Here then embedded in the landscape, which waterfalls. As-sirb, this concept relates Accustomed to having to reclaim land is where our global acequia sojourn became their greatest teacher. to acequias, the user’s turn to use the from the desert in order to cultivate, water for irrigation. Al-jisr, a diversion they brought to Spain their advanced dam with steps to slow down the water. hydraulic knowledge and, from here, it Al-aqm and Al-maqam, partial diversion spread around the globe. From there, dams that direct the flow or establish the the names that came to signify canal, volume amount. An-nahr, channelized torrent, river channel and waterwheel, the torrents of water. Wad is a permanent whose origins in many cases are from watercourse such as a river, for example, Sabaean and Yemeni roots. i the Guadalquivir river in Andalucía. Guadalquivir means the Big River such This article was taken from Estevan Arellano’s book as the Río Grande. The word Guadalupe “Enduring Acequias: Wisdom of the Land, also has its roots in Wad, the river of wolves. Knowledge of the Water.”

Much of the vocabulary used today for Juan Estevan Arellano irrigation, agriculture and construction— (1947-2014) was an esteemed acequia activist, the central elements of the civilization in journalist and novelist southern Arabia—are encountered in from Embudo, NM. © Grete H oward the Sabaean language. The Yemenis also He received hundreds of Harraz Mountains, Yemen made great contributions to the Spanish students and researchers language as shown above in storage, at his almunyah or experimental farm there. begins. The scenery in the Harraz Sabaean was spoken in Yemen before Mountains as seen in the photos is Islam arrived, and it named places and breathtaking: cultivated terraces rolling other things in the peninsula. Many down the fertile slopes, with a backdrop of the words with Arabic roots come, of jagged mountains common to all in reality, from the language of the desert environments. On the ridges, descendants of the Queen of Saba. villages cling to the peaks. Sabaean words related to water are alberca (al-birka), cistern for irrigation; acequia (assaqiya), irrigation canal; zanja Our journey to (az-zanija), channel that is sculpted in understand water and rock; noria (an-naura), water wheel, well. community begins here. The majority of the Yemenis were campesinos from the mountains of On the carefully constructed terraces, coffee eastern Yemen. Even though Arabic plantations flourish. Here, agriculture was becoming more common, Sabaean is practiced more intensively than in continued to be used to name the flora, other parts of North Yemen. The area is fauna and all the vocabulary used for known as the Fertile Mountains because irrigation and agriculture. That still it benefits from bountiful monsoon rains. continues today. Sabaean is a Semitic The terracing, carried out in such a fine and language that flourished about 3,000 impressive manner, has been so carefully years ago, close to the civilization of maintained by farmers that it has survived Southern Arabia, the center of which for thousands of years. In addition to was in Mareb and predominated in coffee, millet, rye, wheat, barley, lentils and what today is Yemen. In the year 628, beans have been grown on these multi- they became part of Islam, and they terraced fields for centuries. adopted more modern Arabic from the Quran. This Arabic, laced with Sabaean, Since the word acequia seems to have or vice versa, was what was spoken by the been born from this type of environment, Yemenis who arrived in Iberia. And with our journey to understand water and this language, they named towns, rivers community begins here, for here we see and mountains. where people definitely understood the knowledge of water and the wisdom

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 27 Juan Estevan Arellano ¡Presente! September 17, 1947 – October 29, 2014

Enrique Lamadrid

t the edge of the Río Grande’s bosque, still resplendent with the golden by the region’s most important bower of the cottonwoods, hundreds of people joined together in Española composers and musicians. toA commemorate the life and celebrate the legacy of Juan Estevan Arellano. We The center hosted community began by acknowledging the antepasados, realizing he is now one of them. He took meetings and symposia, his last breath not long after midnight on Oct. 29, 2014. Once again in northern including historic gatherings of Nuevo México, the “Canción de las acequias” became a hymn: land-grant and acequia activists, who joined together to revitalize La noche está llegando, Night is falling, their movements. yo sigo trabajando I keep on working para mantener to maintain Arellano’s home and ranchito in lo que yo quiero tanto. what I love so much. Embudo, over the years, hosted —García, Montoya, Vigil hundreds of students interested in sustainability and acequia Although the wind has taken his voice, Arellano will continue to speak to us in culture. He liked to call his years to come through his writing and his example. Activist, farmer, builder, poet, gardens his almunyah, an Arabic journalist, sculptor, historian, father, husband, leader, teacher, he was true to his term for the experimental name, Estevan (Stephanos, in Greek), the crown of leaves and flowers given to poets gardens where plants were and champions, for he was both. As one of the preeminent cultural journalists of adapted for desert agriculture. his time, his chronicle and critique of the last half century in New Mexico is spread Many lively seminars were across more than half a dozen newspapers, at least six of which he founded. In the held in the shade of the ancient Taos News alone, more than 500 weekly columns spoke to the issues of the day, apricot tree behind his house. both in English and in El Crepúsculo, the Spanish section, originally founded in He served the Acequia Junta the 1830s by Padre Antonio José Martínez. His last few articles, already written,

y Ciénega his whole life— © Alejandro López will continue the conversation in Green Fire Times even after his passing. True as parciante, comisionado to his other name, Juan (Yohannes, in Greek), there is sometimes a strident tone and mayordomo—and was of prophecy in his voice as he tirelessly defended culture, land and water. Yet the justifiably proud of it. Its banks and easements were always clear of undergrowth. name Juan also means full of grace and recalls the blessing of the waters. Where it ran across an unstable, sandy hillside, he identified and helped install a kind of interlocking brick designed in Afghanistan to stabilize the watercourse. Arellano will continue to speak to us in years to He defended it at every turn. come through his writing and his example. A tireless scholar and spokesman, Arellano was recognized as the conscience of the acequia movement in New Mexico. He approached problems and threats directly, One of his most memorable newspapers was Are Llano, the “arid plain” of his criticizing insiders as readily as outsiders for neglect and mismanagement. Acequia surname, recalling the forebears, the people of the deserts of the Middle East culture is in danger, and Arellano was quick to sound the alarm and educate his and Iberia, of Mesoamerica and New Spain, who sought refuge and the precious, community by example. Acequia landscapes are culturally green, and part of life-giving waters of the mountains, valleys, and canyons of New Mexico. Its cultural literacy is learning how to read the land, its wisdom and its memory. Since pages overflowed with analysis, dialogue, research and art. Another was called periodicals are ephemeral, he wisely chose to inscribe his knowledge in a book, Caminante and chronicled his interest in the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, our published in the UNM Press Querencias Series only weeks before his passing, historic corridor and link to México Enduring Acequias: Wisdom of the Land, Knowledge of the Water. His most lasting and beyond. Caminante also means contribution is in its pages: “The elders, the viejitos, talk about la sabiduría del agua, pilgrim, and Estevan led neighbors, and the juicio de la tierra, but that wisdom is rapidly disappearing as the Spanish students, friends and colleagues language, which is the keeper of our environmental ethics and philosophy...” In his to Spain and México on cultural last paper, delivered to the fall 2014 Acequia Symposium in Valencia via Internet, he pilgrimages to explore their roots. theorized the observation, confirming that there is a “linguistic infrastructure” for Arellano served a number of years the acequias in language itself that must be decoded by much more than translation. as the most dynamic director of the Most people know Arellano as an activist, as a vecino, as a friend. But his legacy is Oñate Center in Alcalde, which also that of a filólogo, a logófilo, a lover of words. As poet, storyteller and novelist, he transformed into a venue for he loved and defended the ancestral language of this land as fiercely as he defended Resolana, the critical community th his cultura. His literary work exemplifies the combative, old 19 -century verse: dialogue that emerged from the sun-drenched corners of the town Nuevo México insolente, Insolent New Mexico plaza. His cultural agenda included entre cíbolos criado, raised among the buffaloes, lectures, theater, art exhibits, regional ¿quién te hizo letrado who taught you to write, food and music. Among the many para cantar entre la gente? to sing among the people? events to honor New Mexico’s Cuartocentenario celebration in Arellano loved folklore, which he considered “el oro del barrio,” full of creative Juan the Bear and the Water of Life by 1998 was a call for commemorative expression, dialogue, and sharp cultural critique. He was a founding member Enrique Lamadrid and Estevan Arellano corrido ballads, which was answered continued on page 30

28 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com BOOK REVIEW Op-Ed: The Almunyah Enduring Acequias An Integrated Place for Living Wisdom of the Land, Knowledge of the Water Alejandro López By Estevan Arellano he late New Mexican writer healthy, cultural engagement with one University of New Mexico Press, 220 pages and community leader, Estevan another and with nature that land- For several reasons, Estevan Arellano’s TArellano, left this world while still based activities foster. In the Indo- recent book, Enduring Acequias: Wisdom of in the process of enhancing his 2.5- Hispano community, people used to the Land, Knowledge of the Water, can only acre, garden-like plot of land in La meet in their plazas and homes, where be described as a tour de force. Foremost Junta, the place in Embudo where the news was shared and ties renewed. is the author’s depth of knowledge of Río Embudo joins the Río Grande. They also met in their lush fields and his native watershed. This knowledge He described this special place as gardens, where they might take a break, is centered on the many streams born an “almunyah,” a word derived from eat and tell stories beneath a large of springs and snowmelt, which flow classical Arabic, meaning “desire.” In cottonwood tree. together to comprise the upper Río Embudo watershed and its nearly 40 major acequias. Through the acequias’ diversion and channeling of the río’s waters to fertile bottomlands, they successfully irrigate the traditional agricultural holdings of Arellano’s ancestors in La Junta, near Embudo.

Secondly, Arellano manages to integrate into an already complex tapestry a wealth of knowledge regarding every other aspect of regional northern New Mexican life that has had a bearing on the acequias and local agriculture. As a result, he brings into sharp focus land-settlement patterns, family © Alejandro López histories, legal documents governing the use of the land and water, as well as the relentless tides of history that shape and reshape the landscape and its hydrology. the Iberian Peninsula, where Arab The concept of the almunyah builds and Moorish peoples occupied Spain upon this sort of experience, always One of the preeminent for nearly 800 years, almunyahs in communion with the fullness of were designed as experimental and hearth, land and cosmos. The need for cultural journalists of his time recreational gardens where imported such places emerges from the collective One learns about the Laws of the Indies that prescribed the layout of trees and vegetables could be human need to affirm our humanity “New World” Spanish settlements that, in northern New Mexico, were acclimatized. The almunyah concept amid the plentitude of nature. As a reflection of peninsular Spanish, Criollo (“New World Spanish”) and that Arellano envisioned transplanting a kind of cultural and agricultural Mexican Tlaxcalan Indian components. One also learns about Pueblo to New Mexican soil included a sanctuary with a profusion of plants Indian resistance to the “Spanish” settlement of the Embudo watershed, of protected, garden-like place dedicated and animals, an almunyah could be the two varieties of corn most commonly grown here before the American to learning, relaxation and living fully. a place where one goes to immerse period, together with innumerable other pertinent facts that increase our oneself in life and into the work— Aside from some homes, few such solitary or communal—that makes us understanding and appreciation for this historic place from the point of places exist in our society today. Most view of a critical native thinker. whole. Ideally, it could be located at spaces within our communities have an old family farm, perhaps one that been denatured, commercialized or Thirdly, the book takes on the world and many other outstanding examples has been reclaimed to serve a purpose relegated to serve but a single function; that goes beyond raising food. In an of waterworks akin to acequias, all the way from the Indus Valley of i.e., kindergarten, park or church. India, Jericho and Yemen, where it is thought the agricultural revolution almunyah, there could be opportunities There are few fully integrated spaces for an examination of the forces at work took place nearly 9,000 years ago and where acequias may have had their remaining where food is grown, meals beginnings, all the way to southern Spain, the highlands of Perú and central in nature, in society, as well as within prepared and hospitality shown. It is our own spirit and psyche, all of which México. What is more remarkable is that in the midst of conducting this even harder to find places where, in captivating grand tour of the world’s most impressive, ancient irrigation are undergoing tremendous revolutions community with others, individuals at this time. Whether as a nonprofit or systems, Arellano, like a good New Mexican, invites you into his home, his can pursue creative activities and family and his heart and shares with you not only his most intimate insights as a for-profit entity, each almunyah exchanges, ranging from conversation could serve as a repository for all that regarding the wisdom of the land and his knowledge of the water but also to collective physical work. his own sense of cultural identity as a Chicano. It is clear from all that he is beautiful and valuable in our cultures writes, the late Estevan Arellano was in love not only with the acequias of For a people who, until recently, and which, in the future, might serve northern New Mexico and the water-transmission technologies of other were land-based and had practiced as seeds for the regeneration of our parts of the world but also with the continuously adapting mestizo culture farming for hundreds of years, modern communities. i and people of his país, or homeland, upon which the acequias and their commercial spaces such as fast-food Alejandro López is greening of the world depend if they are to endure. outlets, movie theaters and bars do a writer, photographer not invite substantive exchanges like – Alejandro López and educator. dialogue, storytelling or the kinds of www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 29 Estevan Arellano continued from page 28 NM Acequias continued from page 15 of La Academia de la Nueva Raza, with other in an economy of common good, who can offer their efforts to guarantee Nuevomexicano cultural activists Tomás Atencio, for nurturing an important agro- the future of this extraordinary cultural Facundo Valdez, E.A. Mares, Antonio Medina, biodiversity, the use of multiple landscape. i Alejandro López and many others. In collaboration languages and more. with them, he published Entre Verde y Seco, a collection Carlos Ortiz Mayordomo of Elche, Spain, has a PhD in physical chemistry and a of traditional narrative and poetry compiled from From the perspective of the Acequias, graduate degree in environmental sciences. the case to be made to UNESCO would the landmark oral-history project that the Academia He has conducted conducted in the early 1970s. He also edited El address, as a minimum, criteria ii, iv research on landscape Cuaderno, the journal of the Academia, in whose pages and vi. A possible motto for the project evaluation, heritage could be found their philosophy and manifestos. would be the popular saying used during and chemistry. planting and harvest time: “Una para nos, Now retired, he Arellano’s internationally celebrated literary writing is otra para vos, y otra para los animalitos de keeps active in the study of traditional his novel Inocencio: ni pica ni escardia, pero siempre se come el mejor elote, one of the Dios (One for us, one for you, and another only books written in Nuevomexicano Spanish, which won him the prestigious food production. for God’s little animals).” carlormay@gmail. José Fuentes Márez prize in México. In it, he places his homeland within the com millennial Ibero-American Picaresque tradition, which links ancient Eurasian Towards this goal, I would propose animal fables to Roman satires, to Lazarillo de Tormes in Golden Age Spain, to these ideas to construct an ambitious Lina Gracia of Spain has a PhD in biology. El Periquillo Sarniento of Colonial New Spain, to Pito Pérez of post-revolutionary proposal with profound meaning. She has specialized México. In these writings the pícaro, or trickster hero, lives by his wits, avoiding The incorporation of the Acequias of in environmental work, surviving on the edges. Since he has nothing to lose, his gift to society is New Mexico in the UNESCO List management and natural resources sharp and relentless criticism, delivered through satire. Inocencio is a composite of would give universal recognition to and has conducted their resilience, principles and values characters drawn directly from the plazas of northern New Mexico. research on Elche’s demonstrated during their lengthy palm grove, Estevan Arellano’s most enduring lesson to us can be summed up in the way he history. The memory of Estevan landscape evaluation cultivated and wrote about his Querencia, the folk term for love of place, land, Arellano and other respected leaders and heritage. culture, and people: if we don’t learn to love them, we will never defend them. i calls for the participation of all those

The Zanjeras continued from page 25 1700, with Spanish officials in charge of laying out the town plans. Reportedly, shares are measured to ensure equity in flow distribution. As physical structures, the Spanish friars closely supervised these newly created mission settlements they can be monitored by guards, other water officials and the sectional irrigators and taught the natives how to parcel and clear the lands, plow and sow the fields themselves for their own particular lateral. with newly introduced plants, flowers and garden crop varieties from México and Did the zanjeras derive from the Iberian model of irrigation? Likely, the friars Spain, thresh grain, and store the harvest in order to supply food to a growing built from existing traditions diffused into the Manila region by Chinese and other population. To boost the production of rice within old cultivated and new lands, Asian traders, before the Spanish regime, as was done for wet rice cultivation. parish priests directed the opening of channels starting around the last quarter th Sources for the organization of zanjera societies along the Ilocano coast to the of the 18 century with enlargements and expansions into dozens of towns by th north, however, are not known but, upon close examination, zanjera operations subsequent Augustinians throughout the 19 century. Guided by the friars, the reflect a Spanish influence in locations where the Augustinians created new newly constructed dikes and irrigation systems made for good rice yields, even settlements for Ilocano converts that they organized and resettled. Some of the in times of sparse rainfall. Other crops included wheat, cotton, sugar cane, cocoa names given to the zanjeras are derived from Catholic saints, a few of which are and lucrative indigo for export in both Ilocos Norte and neighboring Ilocos Sur. the Zanjeras San Juan, San Marcelino, San Antonio, San José, San Blas, Santa Rosa, Santa Ana, and Santo Rosario. The strongest resemblance to the Iberian Most historians date the zanjeras to around 1740. model centers on governance and institutional arrangements where the community Operating procedures and water distribution rules in the zanjeras closely resemble of irrigators, in Spain, New Mexico, and Ilocos Norte determine their own rules, the Iberian tradition as transplanted to the New World and perhaps from México establish days for canal cleaning and any repairs, elect a Junta Directiva of officers to the Philippines by way of the friars. As with land shares, water shares are who conduct administrative functions, guard and monitor their systems, impose proportionately distributed and, in times of scarcity, a system of rotating turns per fines (multas), for infractions or when irrigators do not contribute their share of day can be implemented, called barsak in Ilocano, or a share of time allocated for obra (labor), and convene a Junta General (General Assembly). the use of canal water, a concept dating back to the Ilocano ancestors. The rules As a whole, the zanjeras fulfill the criteria as corporate bodies that control and for allocating water in times of scarcity can vary depending on which schedule is allocate resources to its members based on common ownership of the diversion determined at a zanjera meeting that covers duration and the location of water structure, the main canal and, in the case of zanjeras, a kamarine (meetinghouse) distribution activities with much flexibility for these arrangements per canal or as well. This factor alone makes a case for continued investigation of zanjeras and laterals. When rainfall becomes abundant again, the rotation schedule is undone. acequias as comparative irrigation societies. We hope this To ensure equity of water distribution, irrigated land parcels within each zanjera brief essay will stimulate additional work by all of us who are recorded and accounted for in relationship to the names listed in a journal are students of acequia culture. i for each zanjero. Of special interest is the fact that the length and width of each José Rivera is a research scholar at UNM’s Center for Regional parcel is measured in metros, palmas and puntos. To divide the canal water evenly, Studies and professor of planning at the School of Architecture and the larger zanjeras employ a physical divisor called the padila tablon, a traditional Planning, UNM. He is author of Acequia Culture: Land, Water, proportional weir that takes water into laterals in proportion to the sum of water and Community and has done field research on acequias all over the shares owned by gunglos, or section group members, within the zanjera system. world. [email protected] Like the Valencian and New Mexican partidores, these divisors express how water

30 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Eco-Delivery Services • 505.920.6370

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 31 Sustainable Santa Fe Monthly Update 2015 Sustainable Santa Fe Award Nominations Sought Awards Celebrate Community Sustainability Leaders Katherine Mortimer, SSF Programs Manager, City of Santa Fe

he city of Santa Fe is seeking nominations for the 2015 Sustainable Santa • Waste Reduction: SF Public Schools and EcoVim for a pilot project, which Fe Awards to recognize model projects that are helping Santa Fe reduce its helped reduce waste by 28 percent and saved $60,000. EcoVim takes food waste and ecologicalT footprint, mitigate carbon emissions and build resilience in the face dehydrates it, reducing the weight by a factor of 10 and recovering water. They also of climate change. These annual awards are limited to projects or programs with recycled electronic waste and required school contractors to recycle. significant events that occurred during the 2014 calendar year or ongoing programs that haven’t yet been recognized. Award recipients will be recognized at a gala on April • C limate Adaptation – Ecosystem: Surroundings Studio for design and 8. Nominations will be accepted until March 15 and can be made online. A link can construction of El Parque del Río, which follows the SF River through downtown. be found at www.santafenm.gov or at the websites of co-sponsors: Earth Care (www. The park was beset with long-term problems. Incising the river channel has helped earthcarenm.org), Santa Fe Green Chamber (nmgreenchamber.com/santa-fe) and the health and viability of many old trees. Green Fire Times (www.greenfiretimes.com). Separate nominations must be made • R enewable Energy: Consolidated Solar Technologies for their 62.64kW solar for each project, but you may nominate as many as you wish. installation at Amy Beihl Community School, offsetting 125 tons of OC 2. They 2015 Award Categories: Community Outreach or Education, Environmental also started constructing a 192.6kW solar installation at Capital High. School Advocacy, Environmental Justice, Food System Adaptation, Water Adaptation, installations serve as living laboratories for sustainability education. Ecosystem Adaptation, Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency, Affordable Green • Y outh-Led: Global Warming Express, a group of 9- and 10-year-olds working to Building or Building System, Green Economic Development, Triple Bottom Line, raise awareness about climate change and to get kids involved in climate activism. Low Carbon Transportation, Waste Reduction, Youth Led, Other • G reen Building System: Aerolenz, which manufactured the most energy-efficient Last year there were winners in 13 categories: daylighting products on the market, including skylights and translucent curtain-wall systems. • C ommunity Outreach: Desert Academy Outdoor/Sustainability Club for a series of events focused on climate issues. They brought in local experts to speak to youth, • T riple-Bottom-Line: Mark Choyt and his company, Reflective Images, which is had community groups share information and demonstrate their work, and raised working to reform the mining sector through responsible jewelry materials sourcing funds for local climate-related causes. and use of recycled metals.

• E nvironmental Advocacy: Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute for their • G reen Economic Development: SolarLogic, whose mission is to increase Agri-Kids program, which brings sustainable agriculture into the classroom and the adoption of residential and commercial solar hydronic heating systems by schoolyard, and brings students to their farm for hands-on learning. This teaches developing, manufacturing and selling products that couple plumbing design about global warming, climate change, sustainability, organic farming, recycling, standardization with state-of-the-art technology and ease of use. They also conduct green building, vermiculture/composting and traditional agriculture. educational programs and work with local contractors.

• F ood Systems: SF Community College Culinary Arts Garden, a living laboratory that • Low-Carbon Transportation: Santa Fe County for a bike lane retrofit. A road offers volunteer opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Specialty garden beds make between the Tesuque River and US84/285 can now be integrated into “State Bike possible 4-season vegetable production. Environmentally friendly techniques allow Route 9” to make a wonderful non-motorized alternative for local and long-range produce to be grown without pesticides, chemicals or genetically modified plants. travel.

• Climate Adaptation – Water: The Raincatcher, which creates water-wise, beautiful • Innovative Sustainability Research: The U.S. Geological Survey for their Western landscapes and healthy soil. Storing and using rainwater reduces carbon emissions Mountain Initiative to help natural resource managers, planners and policy makers associated with utility-provided water processing and transportation and adapts understand the responses of Western mountain ecosystems to climatic variability residences for the new climate. and change, emphasizing sensitivities, thresholds, resistance and resilience.

Safeguarding continued from page 14 recognition until now. Only a few sites archaeologists are learning how to read Consejo de Hombres Buenos (Council uncertainty and conflict—often over on the UNESCO (United Nations acequia landscapes for their historical of Good Men) and the Valencian water—acequia heritage offers a wealth Educational, Scientific and Cultural content. And, above all, the irrigators Tribunal de las Aguas (Tribunal of of knowledge on the sustainable use of Organization) World Heritage List themselves—such as those in the upper Waters) were inscribed jointly on water, strengthening local communities have been selected because of the Río Grande basin—recognize the UNESCO’s Representative List of and promoting respect and intercultural significance of their traditional acequia importance of their traditional acequias the Intangible Cultural Heritage dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic or acequia-related irrigation systems, in shaping and maintaining their way of of Humanity. These two traditional and, indeed, wherever community canal like the Palmeral of Elche, Spain, life and cultural identity. Small wonder water courts—custodians of the irrigation exists. i the Aflaj of Oman, or the cultural that acequia landscapes count among Andalusi irrigation wisdom—have, Luís Pablo landscape of Bam, Iran. But there is an the Globally Important Agricultural since medieval times, resolved internal Martínez i s increasing interest in the rediscovery Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiative conflicts in a speedy, fair, inexpensive a historian, and promotion of acequia values. promoted since 2002 by another U.N. and effective manner for acequia anthropologist Experts in human development have agency, the FAO (Food and Agriculture farmers from the Segura and Turia and inspector pointed out the role that existing, self- Organization). rivers in Spain. of Cultural Heritage for organized acequia communities play Nowadays, the effort to preserve and For sure, traditional irrigators from the government in the successful introduction of new promote intangible cultural heritage the Americas to Asia will push for of the Region development policies and projects. of Valencia. He under UNESCO’s leadership presents recognition, either for the tangible Likewise, biologists and ecologists cite has coordinated new and promising perspectives for and intangible items of their acequia the contribution of traditional acequias numerous UNESCO nominations for the the preservation and revitalization of culture or for their acequia cultural to biodiversity and the sustainable use cultural heritage of Mediterranean Spain. acequia heritage. In 2009, the Murcian landscapes as a whole. In an age of [email protected] of water. Geographers, historians and

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34 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com NEWSBITEs New Regulations for Methane Emissions According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), human activities are responsible for 60 percent of all methane emissions. According to NASA, a 2,500-square-mile area of the Southwest’s Four Corners region is the nation’s largest emitter of methane, a greenhouse gas 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe. Scientists say excess methane is significantly contributing to global warming and acidifying oceans. Dr. Sandra Steingraber, a biologist, says this is a concern because we have acidified the oceans to a degree 30 percent higher than optimal to fully support life. She says that the ocean’s plankton, which produce half of the oxygen on Earth, are dying. Methane is known to leak during coal production and at all levels of the oil- and gas-drilling production process. Increased drilling and production are expected to increase emissions unless new controls are in place. Last month, the Obama administration announced that it intends to cut methane emissions by nearly half by 2025 through new regulations to be administered by the EPA and the Bureau of Land Management. A spokesman from the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association On Jan. 5, more than 300 people protested PNM’s energy plan. Community groups has said that such rules are burdensome and unnecessary because the industry is from the Navajo Nation led the demonstration. Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales, already working to reduce leakage. (above, right), Rep. Brian Egolf and the Latino group Juntos were among the speakers Piñón Pipeline Would Facilitate calling for clean replacement power. San Juan Basin Oil Boom Three parties that were part of a Stipulation Agreement with PNM—Western The San Juan Basin in the Four Corners region may be on the verge of a shale-oil Resource Advocates (WRA), Renewable Energy Industry Association (REIA), boom. The proposed, 130-mile Piñón Pipeline, capable of carrying 50,000 barrels and New Mexico Independent Power Producers (NMIPP)—have withdrawn their of crude a day, would start out as smaller pipelines that would gather oil at well pads support. WRA cited concerns that PNMR might be negotiating to buy 65 MW. and other points. A larger pipeline would then move the oil south to a distribution REIA and NMIPP withdrew after citing concerns over misestimated coal costs center near Interstate 40. The pipeline would span Navajo, private, state and federal and the plant’s economic viability. The groups were also upset by a new “access fee” land, including an area near Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, PNM wants to charge people who install residential solar panels. On Jan. 27, the a World Heritage Site. Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Authority filed its opposition to the Stipulation. Hundreds of people spoke out at public hearings last month, including Navajos who After the parties file briefs, the hearing examiner will make his Recommended traveled hundreds of miles to ask the Bureau of Land Management to deny a permit Decision to the full PRC. to Saddle Butte San Juan Midstream LLC, a Denver-based corporation. Navajo Santa Fe Higher Education Center Opens activists and a Chaco Canyon archaeologist said that the permanent infrastructure the pipeline would fracture cultural and archaeological heritage, threaten endangered Four New Mexico institutions have joined with Santa Fe Community College to form species, flora and fauna, ruin the recreation economy and bring inevitable oil spills. the Santa Fe Higher Education Center. The Institute of American Indian Arts, New Fracking, they say, is already degrading air and water and negatively impacting local Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico State University and University of New communities. Mexico offer 20 major areas of study. After completing two years at the community college, students can now If the pipeline is constructed, oil and gas wells could quadruple in the San Juan Basin. The obtain a bachelor’s degree industry rationale for the pipeline is that current infrastructure—tanker trucks—can’t through one of the center’s handle the crude being produced and developed and that trucking costs more and is partner institutions. riskier than a pipeline. At one of the hearings, however, an industry executive admitted that increasing drilling to such an extent would mitigate any environmental benefits. The new campus at 1950 Siringo Road The Sierra Club has urged the BLM to conduct a more detailed review, as required features state-of-the-art for an environmental impact statement, to consider the cumulative effects of all oil classrooms, geothermal and gas development in the region and to fund a health assessment, as required by heating and cooling and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. a solar photovoltaic array Record Closed in PNM Replacement Power Case that generates about 80 After more than three weeks of testimony in the case before the New Mexico Public percent of the facility’s Regulation Commission (PRC) over Public Service Company of New Mexico’s energy demand. regional haze plan to retire two of four generating units at the aging coal-fired San Renewable Energy Day at the Roundhouse Juan Generating Station (SJGS), the record is now closed. Some highlights: February 27, 10 am-3 pm PNM executives admitted that, due to errors and omissions, original estimates to With 300 days of sunshine per year, New Mexico has the potential to lead the nation replace power at the SJGS need to be increased by $1 billion. The more-than-$7- in renewable energy (RE) development, creating jobs, improving the economy and billion energy replacement plan would dictate energy resources (or cause further reducing water use. “stranded assets”) for ratepayers over 20 years. PNM began the case stating that its replacement portfolio of coal, nuclear, natural gas and 40 megawatts (MW) of solar On Friday, Feb. 27, the economic, environmental and social benefits of renewable was the “least-cost” and “most cost-effective.” The company’s argument shifted during ® energy and energy efficiency will be celebrated at the state capitol. A diverse array the case, as the utility’s computer modeling (Strategist ) analyzed the plans and four of advocates, including public institutions, RE developers and environmental alternatives, including New Energy Economy’s proposed 400 MW of wind and 260 organizations will have display tables at the event. To encourage a favorable political MW of solar, were shown to be less expensive for ratepayers. climate for expanded clean energy, the Sierra Club will offer citizen lobby training Farmington Electric Utility System—a co-owner of the SJGS plant—announced its and information about current legislation. A press conference at noon will feature intention not to buy additional capacity when the other partners leave in 2017. As a legislators, industry specialists, youth and nonprofits who will share their policies result, Wall Street analyst Jefferies Equity Research downgraded PNM to a “hold,” and plans to help grow the RE industry in New Mexico. Free parking is available rather than a “buy,” stating, “Our economic analysis of the plant makes it unlikely in the facility at 420 Galisteo St. For more information, call 505.310.4425 or email that PNMR (PNM Resources, PNM’s parent company) will find a third party to [email protected] acquire [Farmington’s] 65 MW interest in the plant.”

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Feb. 14, 7-10 pm; Feb. 15, 4-6 pm Through May 31, 2015 Feb. 7, 2 pm Arts, Crafts & Global Fusion El Agua es Vida: Acequias in Dyes in Early Navajo Textiles Fashion Show Northern New Mexico Wheelwright Library VSA North Fourth Art Center Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, UNM 704 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill 4904 Fourth St. NW Groundbreaking, multidisciplinary exhibit. Presented by David Wenger, Ph.D. For Presented by NM Women’s Global Pathways Free. 505.277.4405, maxwellmuseum.unm.edu members only (memberships available). Res- and created by refugee, immigrant and indig- ervation required. 505.982.4636, ext. 110. enous artisans of NM. $10. 505.345.2872 Daily www.wheelwright.org Our Land, Our Culture, Our Story Feb. 15, 7:30 pm Feb. 7-8 Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Buffy Sainte-Marie th Volunteer Weekend ALBUQUERQUE 2401 12 St. NW Feb. 4, 5:30-7 pm Kimo Theater, 423 Central NW Historical overview of the Pueblo world and Ampersand Sustainable Learning Green Drinks $15-$45 adv. 505.866.1251, holdmyticket.com contemporary artwork and craftsmanship Center, Cerrillos, NM of each of the 19 pueblos. Weekend Native Help install a retrofit to a greenhouse from Hotel Andaluz Feb. 18, 5:30 pm dances. 866.855.7902 Zomeworks. RSVP. Also internships avail- 125 Second St. NW Pueblo Women: Inspiring able from May-July in earthen building, land Network with people inter- Change & Preserving Tradition SANTA FE restoration, organic gardening and sustain- ested in doing business local- able food systems. Applications due by March Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Feb. 4, 11:30 am-1 pm ly, clean energy alternatives th 6. Details: www.ampersandproject.org and creating sustainable op- 2401 12 St. NW Green Lunch portunities in our communities. Presenter: Panel discus- SF Area Home Builders Association Feb. 8, 11 am Theresa Cardenas, founder of Nobel Renew- sion of promi- 1409 Luisa Street SAN Augustin Ranch Water ables Group, LLC will speak on Innovative nent Pueblo Topic: The New Rules of Social Media. Presented Rights Permit Update Solutions for a Safe, Sustainable Future. women artists by Kathy Walsh, Carolyn Parrs and Rubina Co- www.greendrinks.org Marla Allison, hen. $15 for SFAHB, $20 others. Sponsored by the Collected Works Bookstore Deborah A. Jo- SF Green Chamber of Commerce. Reservations: 202 Galisteo Feb. 5-6 jola and Glen- 505.982.1774, [email protected] Former NMELC attorney Bruce Frederick. Urban Tree Conference dora Fragua. Moderator: water rights attorney Peter They will talk White. Journeysantafe.com rowne laza lbuquerque Feb. 5 C P A about the role of niversity lvd Water Policy Day 1901 U B . NE Pueblo women Feb. 8, 2 pm tate apitol Updating the basics of tree care. Presenta- and provide an NM S C Santa Fe Reads tions by professionals. $170/$70 students. inside look at a Join New Mexico First to advocate recom- www.thinktreesnm.org/conference.html mendations from the 2014 Statewide Water James A. Little Theater new exhibition. 1060 Cerrillos Rd. www.indianpueblo.org Town Hall. The platform calls for common- feb. 7, 8 am-5 pm sense changes to water funding and plan- Readings and discussions with 5 nation- Advanced Photovoltaic Design Feb. 19-20 ning, watershed restoration including forest ally acclaimed northern NM authors: Sallie Bingham, Natalie Goldberg, Anne Hiller- orkforce raining enter tree thinning, long-range drought planning, CNM W T C Land & Water Summit man, John Nichols and Valerie Plame. $15. agle ock ve resolution of legal issues, protection of envi- 5600 E R A . NE Sheraton ABQ Airport 505.428.1353. Presented by Literacy Volun- Participants will learn to apply National ronmental resources and exploration of new 2910 Yale Blvd. SE teers of SF. Electrical Code standards and industry best water sources. http://nmfirst.org/_blog/ Watershed CPR: Restoring Natural, Built Legislative_Updates/post/water2015/ practices to design the best systems for your and Human Environments. Presented by Feb. 9-March 16, Mondays, 1-4 pm company. $169. 505.224.5200, workforce@ the Xeriscape Council of NM. Sponsored Feb. 5, 5:30-7:30 pm Legacy Writing Workshop cnm.edu, www.cnm.edu by Bernalillo County and many others. Buckman Recycling Tranfer SF Community Foundation Feb. 7, 9 am-12 pm $175/$325. 2/18: Pre-conference workshop Station Community Meeting 501 Halona St. on Flood Control for Watershed Health. Trees & Tree-Pruning Workshop Nancy Rodriguez Center A 6-week life story class with Hollis Walker. $150. 505.843.7000, www.xeriscapenm.com Registration: 505.988.9715, www.santafecf.org ABQ Garden Center, 10120 Lomas NE 1 Prairie Dog Loop Presented by Dr. John Ball. Open to master Feb. 20-21 5:30: Open House; 6:30: Presentation/dis- Feb. 11, 9 am-12 pm gardeners, tree stewards, docents and commu- NM Organic Farming Conference cussion. Learn about the services BuRRT Working Together for a nity volunteers. Free. [email protected], Reg- provides and offer ideas how BuRRT can Marriott ABQ Pyramid North Thriving Community istration: http://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/pruning meet community needs. Written comments The SW’s premier conference for organic may be mailed to Randall Kippenbrock, SF Community Foundation agriculture. Producers and researchers will Through Feb. 9 SFSWMA, 149 Wildlife Way, SF 87506 or 501 Halona St. Art in Public Places Submissions share their experience and expertise. Mark email [email protected] Dreaming a Better World through Collabo- Smallwood, executive director of the Ro- ration. A technical assistance workshop for Central NM Community College dale Institute, is the keynote speaker. $100 Feb. 5-April 16, 1-3 pm nonprofits presented by Valeria Alarcón and Artist or artist team sought to create site- includes Saturday’s luncheon. Organized Renesan Institute for Lifelong specific commission project on the CNM Roberto Aponte. Sliding Scale: $15-$45. Reg- by Farm to Table, the NM Dept. of Agri- Learning Lecture Series istration: 505.988.9715, www.santafecf.org campus, to be completed by January 2016. culture’s Organic Program and NMSU Co- $120,000 available for the project. https:// operative Extension Service. 505.473.1004, St. John’s United Methodist Feb. 11, 10 am www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info. ext. 10, [email protected], www.farmto Church, 1200 Old Pecos Tr. Building the Business Different php?ID=1491&sortby=fair_name&apply=yes tablenm.org/programs/new-mexico-organic- Lectures are held Thursdays. $10 per lecture, $66 farming-conference for all 11. 505.982.9274, [email protected] SF Business Incubator Feb. 12, 7-9:30 am Presentation for startup companies Education for a Changing Feb. 21, 8 am-4 pm Feb. 6 and entrepreneurs about SFBI grants. Workforce Haute Highlights American Indian Day 505.424.1140, [email protected] Marriott Pyramid Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort, NM State Capitol Feb. 12, 7 pm Panel discussion with an array of educa- Bernalillo, NM Exhibits, presentations of state departments Mountainfilm on Tour tion leaders. $35. 505.348.8326, tfenster@ A Festival and Celebration of Startups, Small and agencies. Organized by the NM Indian bizjournals.com, www.bizjournals.com/ Business and Nonprofits in New Mexico. Lo- Affairs Department. The Lensic, 211 W. San Francisco St. albuquerque/event/115861#eventDetails Mix of films, from mountain sports to amaz- cal and national speakers, panel discussions, Feb. 7, 10 am-12 pm exhibitors, gala dinner, live auction. Tickets: ing wild places. $15. Info: 505.988.9126, ext. Feb. 13, 12-1 pm www.hautenightout.eventbrite.com The Future of Libraries 0. Presented by WildEarth Guardians. Global Divestment Day Great Hall, St. John’s College Demonstration March 14-18 Feb. 14, 8 am-12 pm Panel Discussion with Michael Delello, Contemporary Hispanic American Indian Higher Educa- deputy cabinet secretary for Cultural Affairs; UNM Student Union Building Market Jury (outside), Central at Cornell tion Consortium Conference Sarah Heartt, former librarian, SF Pub- Sustainable UNM=Fossil Free UNM endow- Southwestern faculty, college and university lic Schools; Patricia Hodapp, director, SF SF Convention Center ment investments. 350.org NM. Info: www.face presidents from AIHEC member colleges and Public Library, Tomas Jaehn, archivist, NM For prospectus, visit contemporaryhispan book.com/events/428782533946434/?ref=22 universities. Student competitions, meetings, History Museum, Jennifer Sprague, library icmarketinc.com. Market dates: July 25-26. presentations and events. 505.259.8010 director, St. John’s College. Free.

38 Green Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com Feb. 14, 10 am-12 pm Feb. 20-21 March 1, 5-7 pm HERE & THERE SF River Cleanup ARTfeast Santa Fe Food, Music and Stories of Feb. 5, 7 pm Frenchy’s Field Barn, Osage @ Agua Fria A weekend of fine art, food, fashion & homes Community Bag It Screening th 9 annual Love Your River Day. 505.820.1696. tour. Benefits ARTsmartNM youth pro- conic offee oasters ena t I C R , 1600 L S . Reel Deal Theater, Los Alamos, NM RSVP: [email protected] grams. Appetizers, silent and live auctions. Learn about the planned Greenhouse Gro- A film about plastic bags, their effects and Fashion designer Patricia Michaels: 2/20, 6 cery Food Cooperative, local businesses and what we can do about it. Feb. 14, 1-4 pm; 2 pm tour pm at Peters Projects, 1011 Paseo de Peralta. ecological stewardship. $5-$10 suggested Kindred Spirits Valentine’s Day Party Advance tickets: $75. Feb. 21, 6 pm: Gour- donation. 505.466.2665, bj@greenhouse Feb. 8, 2 pm 3749-A Highway 14 met dinner and auction at the SF Convention grocery.coop, www.greenhousegrocery.coop Living in the Ancient Southwest Animal sanctuary offers wellness care and hospice Center. Advance tickets: $175. Artfeast.org biquiú ibrary and ultural to senior animals. 505.471.5366, kindredspir- March 22, 10 am-9 pm A L C enter biquiú [email protected], www.kindredspiritsnm.org Feb. 21-22 World Water Day Celebration C , A , NM David Grant Noble will discuss his latest Book Launch/Workshop l useo ultural E M C book of essays and photography. Feb. 15, 1-4 pm Railyard Performance Center Art exhibition, music, dance, food, informa- Wood-Carving Demonstrations Nina Hart’s new book of prose poems tion tables, children’s activities. Premiere film Feb. 11, 7 pm Museum of International Folk Art and short fiction is called Somewhere in a screening of Last Call at the Oasis, about the The Chama River: A NM Gem amino ejo Town You Never Knew Existed Somewhere. global water crisis, and Gasland II. A fund- 706 C L ajarito nvironmental d enter Wooden Menagerie: Made in NM exhibit with Her book launch party is 2/21 at 7:30 pm raiser for the Santa Fe Global Water Festival. P E E C , os lamos music and refreshments. Free to NM residents ($5-$10.). Her Writing from the Top of By donation. Artists are invited to submit L A , NM and children under 17. 505.476.1200 Your Head workshop is 2/21-22. Details: water-related art. 505.919.8751, www.water Presentation by Noah Parker of Land of 828.254.3586 awarenessgroup.wordpress.com/GWF Enchantment Guides. Free. 505.662.0460, Feb. 15, 1:30-4 pm www.PajaritoEEC.org The Art of David Bradley Feb. 22-March 1 March 27-28 Santa Fe Restaurant Week Municipal Energy Production Feb. 12, 5:30-7 pm Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Green Drinks/NMSEA Meeting 32 paintings, bronze sculptures and mixed- An extravaganza featuring 57 local restau- SF Community College ittle oad ub media works by the Chippewa artist. 1 pm rants; most present a prix-fixe dinner and a Learn from experts about local energy produc- L T P and 2:30 pm: Jemez buffalo dancers; 2-4 pm: specially priced two-course lunch. tion and how to make a “genius” municipal grid 200 N. Bullard St., Silver City Reception; 505.476.1250, 2:30-3 pm: cata- Nmrestaurantweek.com a reality. 3/27, 7-9 pm: lecture ($10); 3/28, 9 Monthly meeting of the SW Chapter of the am-5 pm: workshop ($99). Info: 505.819.3828, SW NM Green Chamber of Commerce and logue signing with David Bradley and Dr. Feb. 24, 6-7:30 pm Suzan Harjo. IndianArtsAndCulture.org Registration: www.carboneconomyseries.com the NM Solar Energy Association-Silver Health Effects of Wireless City Chapter. Held every second Thursday. Feb. 16, 3-4:30 pm Technology Española 575.538.1337, [email protected] Dr. Suzan Shown Harjo La Montañita Co-op Community Feb. 14, 12-4 pm nd Feb. 13 Application Deadline MoCNA 2 Floor Room, 913 W. Alameda Española Rising: Northern Río Grande Reading and book signing of Nation to Na- Free practical solutions and mitigating prod- A Time to Heal Our Youth National Heritage Area Grants tion: Treaties Between the U.S. and Ameri- ucts to combat electronic pollution will be Join communities around the world speaking Grant cycle open to nonprofits inR ío Arriba, can Indian Nations. Feb. 17, 1-2:30 pm: Po- discussed. Free. out against violence towards women. Help etry reading at IAIA campus. Free. Santa Fe and Taos counties. 505.753.0937, Feb. 27, 10 am heal the community from last year’s shooting riograndenha.org Feb. 17-April 2, 6-8 pm NM Acequia Commission Meeting death of one of its children. 10 am: March for Justice for Victor Villalpando begins at Park Landscape for Life Feb. 14, 10 am-2:30 pm Bataan Memorial Building, Rm. 238, & Ride. 11 am: Rally at the Hunter Ford La Resolana: Rural Land Small Annex, SF County Fairgrounds corner Don Gaspar & South Capitol building. 12 pm: Potluck at the Plaza gazebo; & Water Restoration Learn how to create a landscape that uses Info: 505.603.2879 or molinodelaisla@ 12-4 pm: Performances, art contest, poetry less water and flourishes as the climate gmail.com. Agendas: 505.827.4983 or www. slam, Trashyn Show by La Tierra Montes- Edgewood, NM area changes. Six different classes sponsored by nmacequiacommission.state.nm.us. sori at La Mission Convento. Sponsored Work party focused on forest health hosted by the SF Botanical Garden and the SF Master by FBTPI, NNMC, ENIPC Peacekeepers, Permaculture practitioner Christian Mueli Gardener Assn. $125/$150. 505.471.9103, Feb. 27, 10 am-3 pm MalinalCo Nursing, Tewa Women United. with Back Yard Tree Farmers and rainwa- www.santafebotanicalgarden.org Renewable Energy Day Info: 518.332.3156, [email protected], ter harvesting friends. Ends with a potluck. NM State Capitol www.4bridges.org 505.331.0245, [email protected] Feb. 17, 6-9 pm AgFest March 1, 2 pm Feb. 19, 7 pm Camino de Paz Montessori A Thousand Voices SF Convention Center Legislative event showcasing NM farm- and Middle School Open House PBS-TV Network ranch-related organizations and agencies. Santa Cruz, NM (25 min. north of SF) Documentary film about New Mexico’s Na- Presentation of curriculum and Montessori phi- tive American women who are grounded in Feb. 18, 1-5 pm losophy followed by Q&A with staff and par- traditional values. Produced by Silver Bullet The 4Cs of Marketing Celebrate the economic, environmental and ents. Student-led tours. Come see why Camino Productions. SF Community Foundation social benefits of renewable energy and energy de Paz received Edible Magazine’s “Local Hero efficiency.E cological art table, electric cars, so- Feb. 21-22 501 Halona St. Award.” 505.231.2819, www.caminodepaz.net Las Cruces Spanish Market A technical assistance workshop for nonprofits lar ovens and hands-on demonstrations. Noon on the 4Cs (Connection, Collaboration, Cre- press conference featuring legislators, non- TAOS Hotel Encanto, Las Cruces, NM ativity and Consistency). Presented by Rubina profits and industry specialists who will share Presented by the Spanish Colonial Arts So- policies and plans to grow the RE industry in Feb. 20, 8-10:30 pm ciety. 45 artists. Tinwork, colcha embroidery, Cohen. Sliding Scale: $15-$45; Registration: Indigenous 505.988.9715, www.santafecf.org NM. 505.310.4425, [email protected] retablos, straw appliqué, weaving, jewelry, filigree, pottery, ironwork, carving. Admis- March 2015 KTAOS Solar Center, 9 State Rd. Feb. 19 Application Deadline 150, El Prado, NM sion: $5/person;$8/couple AIA Canstruction Design and DIY Santa Fe: 2015 Native American Music Award win- Feb. 26, 7 pm Build Competition A Creative Tourism Journey ners (Artist of the Year, Best Blues Record- Solar Power for Los Alamos? American Institute of Architects open call for An immersive cultural arts experience; ing) from the Yankton Sioux Reservation in design teams to create structures made entire- month-long celebration of workshops and So. Dakota. $12. http://holdmyticket.com/ Downtown venue TBA, Los Alamos, NM ly from canned goods for an April 11 exhibit events offered through Santa Fe Creative event/192561 What would it take to move off of fossil held at SF Place Mall. Winners in five catego- Tourism, a program of the SF Arts Com- fuels entirely? A presentation by Karen mission. An opportunity for visitors to learn Through Feb. 28, 2015 Paramanandam of Positive Energy. Free. ries entered in an international competition. Art through the Loom Entry fee: $100. Benefits the Food Depot. from experienced artists and artisans while 505.662.0460, www.PajaritoEEC.org Santafe.canstruction.org/design-teams enjoying world-class restaurants, sites and ac- Weaving Guild Show commodations. 505.792.5746, santafecreative april 10 deadline Old Martina’s Hall, Ranchos de Taos Feb. 18 Reservation Deadline [email protected], www.diysantafe.org www.artthroughtheloom.com Earth USA 2015 WorldQuest 2015 8th Annual International Conference on Ar- March 1 Application Deadline Feb. 17 Application Deadline SF Community College Jemez Room chitecture and Construction with Earthen Feb. 20, 5:45-9:15 pm: College Bowl-style Lodgers Tax Event Funds Paid Conservation Positions Materials. Abstract submission form online game of international trivia, played in teams 2015 special event funding for nonprofit orga- Looking for young adults 18-25 to join a closes April 10. Conference will be held at of eight. Prizes will be awarded. Presented by nizations. Tourism support and community nonprofit in Albuquerque and Taos as an the NM Museum of Art in Santa Fe, Oct. the SF Council on International Relations. involvement are key. Does not include events AmeriCorps volunteer. Earn a college schol- 2-4. Organized by Adobe in Action. General Admission: $40 includes buffet. June-August. 505.955.6211, www.santafenm. arship and make a difference conserving nat- Earthusa.org Registration: 505.982.4931, www.sfcir.org gov/document_center/document/2739 ural lands. Application: 575.751-1420, ext. 34, www.youthcorps.org www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • February 2015 39 Green40 Fire Times • February 2015 www.GreenFireTimes.com