In February, 1968, Howard Harkey reported to the RC&D Steering
Committee the following: "During the past five months, the South
Central Mountain RC&D District has come into existence. What was
just an idea in the minds of the supervisors of the three Soil and
Water Conservation Districts (Carrizozo, Otero and Upper Hondo) is
now a reality."
The South Central Mountain RC&D was formed on September 21, 1967 and
officially authorized on January 8, 1976. The office was established
in Carrizozo, New Mexico and a "Project Conservationist", Howard (Harve)
Abercrombie, was assigned in June,1970.
The South Central Mountain RC&D Council is officially recognized by
the State of New Mexico as a nonprofit corporation and has been
granted federal tax exempt status(501(c)(3)) by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS).
The South Central Mountain RC&D is led by a: local eight member, all
volunteer council which represent sponsors consisting of soil and
water conservation districts (SWCD's),
towns, counties, and other units of government. They team up with
other agencies and groups to adopt a project proposal, procure
funding for it, and carry it through to completion to solve local
problems and satisfy local needs as a team effort through
partnerships. The area covered by the South Central Mountain RC&D
today is as it was in the late 1960's, including Lincoln and Otero
Counties. Sponsoring organizations pay nominal annual dues for
membership and voting privileges.
Project proposal initiation must be presented by a sponsoring
organization, which then presents it at a regular scheduled Council
meeting. In this way, the South Central Mountain RC&D addresses
local needs by uniting local community developers, various units of
government, and grassroots organizations to collaborate on projects
to attain sustainability and wise use of our local water, land,
community and environmental resources.
2010 Annual Report
Costshare Program
A council that is financially stable and is comprised of motivated volunteers who provide leadership to the Council and their communities to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations through the development of human, natural and economic resources.
A non-profit organization that utilizes the resourcefulness and skills of its members to improve the natural resources, educational opportunities and socio-economics of our citizens and communities.