Dona Ana Soil and Water Conservation District

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Las Cruces Bulletin - 9-18-2026

Conservation takes root

Doña Ana district seeks stability beyond grant-funded work

Newly planted trees line the grounds at Sierra Middle School as part of DASWCD’s NeighborWoods program. The district plants drought-tolerant trees and later monitors their growth and condition.
Newly planted trees line the grounds at Sierra Middle School as part of DASWCD’s NeighborWoods program. The district plants drought-tolerant trees and later monitors their growth and condition.
COURTESY JENNIFER KLEITZ
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Posted Friday, September 18, 2026 1:49 pm
Elijah Rey Reyes
Las Cruces Bulletin
Trees appearing in neighborhoods across Las Cruces are part of a conservation effort reaching well beyond city streets.

The Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District works with residents, farmers and ranchers on projects ranging from urban tree planting to soil and water conservation. District Manager Jennifer Kleitz said the work centers on protecting the area’s land and water resources.

Soil and water conservation districts are local government entities with roots stretching back to the Dust Bowl era. Kleitz said DASWCD serves agricultural producers throughout the county while also working with residents in urban communities. One of its most visible efforts is NeighborWoods, a five-year grant-funded program providing drought-tolerant trees to neighborhoods in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.

“We go into city neighborhoods, and we ask homeowners if they would like to have a free tree in their front yard, or maybe two if they have room,” Kleitz said.

Staff use GIS mapping and tree-canopy data to identify areas where more trees are needed. Residents choose from available species before a contractor prepares the planting sites and teams of volunteers put the trees in the ground.

Planting events typically involve either 50 or 100 trees. The district provides 15-gallon trees for volunteers to plant at participating homes and distributes smaller 5-gallon trees for residents to take home and plant themselves. Volunteers work in teams of four to six people, with experienced team leaders guiding the process.

The effort continues after planting day. Homeowners receive care instructions, while staff return to monitor the trees, measure their growth, and update local canopy data. Residents can also request a tree through the program, helping the district identify potential locations for future plantings.

Beyond NeighborWoods, DASWCD works with farmers and ranchers on soil and water conservation, including cover crops, groundwater conservation and invasive-plant treatment.

Much of the district’s work, however, relies on grants. Kleitz said DASWCD received about $28,000 in state funding for operations this year, while outside funding allows it to hire staff and carry out individual projects.

That structure can make it difficult to maintain programs and employees over time. Kleitz said the five-year NeighborWoods grant provided more stability by supporting a program coordinator and part-time administrative position for a longer period, but those positions remain tied to the life of the grant.

“You can’t build a sustainable program operating that way,” Kleitz said.

The district is now looking for a proposed property-tax mill levy for a more consistent source of revenue. Kleitz said the proposed rate is 0.25 mills, which she estimated would cost the average homeowner about $27 per year.

Revenue could support operating expenses and staff while allowing programs to continue after individual grants expire. NeighborWoods, whose current federal funding eventually ends, is one example.

“The dollars from the mill levy can help us be able to pay rent. It can help us have an office,” Kleitz said. “It can help us get a part-time bookkeeper, or other field techs who can support our farmers and ranchers.”

For Kleitz, more stable funding would give DASWCD greater flexibility to pursue conservation work as needs arise across the county.

“We want to make sure that when there is funding out there and there are projects that are going to help create soil and water conservation on the ground for the betterment of all of our community,” Kleitz said, “we want to do whatever we can to do that.” ... See MoreSee Less

Dona Ana Soil and Water Conservation District

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