Jemez Pueblo Resource Management

Jemez Pueblo, NM

October 30th, 2025

We arrived at the Jemez Pueblo to a multitude of welcomes. Clarice, the head of the Jemez Pueblo Natural Resources Department,had brought out her whole staff for us to meet and learn about their work for the Pueblo! The building was quaint, located in the heart of their community. The staff described being about to go home for lunch or go to a family member's house, giving the sense that it was an integral part of the community. The Natural Resources Department is tasked with protecting, preserving, and enhancing the natural and cultural resources for the benefit of the environment and the people of the Pueblo.

There are five main branches in the department: forestry management, cultural resources management, rangeland and wildlife management, environmental monitoring and compliance, and a field team. We spoke with each team and learned about the various projects concerning the tribe. Lots of the projects centered on Los Alamos National Labs, which is a nuclear testing site 50 miles from them. They have funding from the government allowing them to test water from nearby sources, and monitor for pollution from the lab.

They also work to monitor wildlife in the area. They described the recent uptick in cattle on lands that were not supposed to have cattle grazing. Often they said that farmers would just leave their cattle there and with no regulation or predator they were starting to take their toll on the landscape by overgrazing. They are currently unsure of how to deal with the population and are working on a way to address this growing issue.

Getting to meet with the Jemez Pueblo gave us a larger understanding of the greater Middle Rio Grande region, as well as the sense of community on the Pueblo. We appreciate them for spending the time to truly show us the inner workings of the organization and welcoming us into their space.

by Katharine Graham