Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District (DASWCD) is authorized by the Soil and Water Conservation District Act (73-20-25 through 73-20-48 NMSA 1978) www.lawserver.com/law/state/new-mexico/nm-statutes/new_mexico_statutes_73-20-35 to conserve and develop the natural resources of the state, provide for flood control, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of Doña Ana County. DASWCD is a governmental subdivision of the State of New Mexico.
DASWCD was originally created with the name La Union Soil and Water Conservation District on June 17, 1966. The original boundaries did not include the incorporated portions of the City of Las Cruces. In 2010, the boundaries were changed to include the city. The name was also changed to better reflect the jurisdiction of the District.
DASWCD consists of a total of seven Supervisors. The Supervisors are residents and/or landowners of the District or appropriate zone. The Board meets once a month, on the 2nd Thursday, at 9am at the EBID Conference Room, 530 S. Melendres Street in Las Cruces. DASWCD works in partnership with NMDA, other state and federal agencies, and various organizations to advance conservation on private and public lands.
Current 2026 Supervisors (Click for Bios)
Josh Smith is the Manager-Treasurer of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District having filled the position in October of 2024. Prior, he practiced law in Las Cruces for 17 years in the areas of water, business and real estate law and is a partner in the real estate brokerage of Saenz & Smith. A native of southern New Mexico, he grew up on a ranch in the boot heel and graduated from Deming High School. Josh attended NMSU receiving an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business before attending law school at Texas Tech.
In 2023 was appointed to DASWCD. In 2024 was elected to the board of supervisor for 4 years. Being a land owner and living in Chaparral wanting to help the community getting involved in local government
Working with local community activities in 2004 to 2006 on the board of Community Health Care in Pierce County Washington in Tacoma. Working with people that needed Healthcare and Dental care. 2007 to 2008 worked with Teen Challenge of El Paso TX as a fund raiser. In 2021 working with a team of men which started a Men’s Ministry at Bethel Family Ministry in El Paso TX.
*TV and Radio producing in Tacoma WA with a first class license
*Real Estate agent license and Real Estate school in Lakewood WA
*Insurance agent license in Texas and New Mexico
*CDL class A license School bus driver and a charter driver. 2011 winner of the Region #19 TX bus rodeo best driver.
Married to Robbin Nelson. Resides in Chaparral. Father of three children and 7 grandchildren. We enjoy travelling the United States and overseas to visit family. We have taken 3 trips to the Middle East. In 2016 I had a left leg BKA amputation which changed my life.
Let's get involved in local government to help others and tell people the services we offer Dona Ana and the State of New Mexico.
Jeremy Griego is the Treasurer of the DASWCD Board of Supervisors. He retired from the US Navy and graduated from Grand Canyon University. He has a background in Emergency Management in California and is currently a ranch owner in Las Cruces.
NMSU Alumni with a Bachler of Science in Ag Business and Economics, and a Master of Science in Agriculture.
I have been directly involved in the agricultural lending business for the past 21 years. During that time, I’ve worked closely with local farm and ranching operations. I have also developed and maintain quality working relationships with many of the local, state and federal agencies responsible for managing the states natural resources.
My wife and I also own and operate a small commercial cow calf ranching operation. We focus on producing quality beef calves, as well as developing moderate framed heat tolerant desert cattle. The ranching operation is our true passion and has allowed us to develop industry relationships while exposing us to regional and industry challenges.
John Pearson occupies the Position 2 Supervisor seat on the Dona Ana Soil and Water Conservation Board. He is a retired hydrogeologist with over 30 years of experience on environmental projects, covering mainly water resources and groundwater, in New Mexico. John earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in geology from the University of Texas at El Paso and worked over 20 years in Las Cruces at the NASA-White Sands Test Facility as their Senior Hydrogeologist. John’s focus with the Board is on groundwater-related issues in Dona Ana County and on promoting education related to the County’s and New Mexico’s water resources.
Joe Skaggs has been a Supervisor for DASWCD since 2022. He is a third-generation well-drilling contractor with over 25 years of groundwater industry experience. He owns Hydrotech Drilling.
Born and raised in Hastings, Minnesota, and son of an electrical contractor, Gill graduated from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota, with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He taught science at St. Augustine School in Austin, Minnesota. Continuing his pursuit in education, Gill joined the Peace Corps and taught science at Ghana’s Amedzofe Teacher Training College,70-73. There he met and married his wife, Christine A. McConaty, also a science teacher in the Peace Corps. Returning to the United States, he received a Master of Science in Biology at the University of North Dakota.
After employment with the Montana Department of Agriculture as a pesticide specialist, Gill joined his family’s ranch and farm in Wolf Point, Montana, managing and operating the raising angus cattle, and growing hay, alfalfa seed, and grains. In 1998, he moved to New Mexico and was employed with AgriBioTech Seed Company (ABT), as a consultant for growing alfalfa seed.
After his work was done with ABT, he worked several positions and jobs including: Consulting for Zia Engineering and Environmental Consultants, LLC (ZiaEEC), MASSCOM Systems of Virginia, Mountain Plover Nesting Surveys in Colorado (Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory), Raptor Surveys in Colorado, Seasonal employment at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Substitute teacher, TES Plant Species at Fort Bliss, Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) and National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) with Mexican spotted owl (U.S. Air Force/Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute project), and Wildlife Manager for Birdstrike Control Program at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas.
In October 2008 he began working part time for ZiaEEC in Las Cruces as a staff scientist in biology and NEPA. Afterward he was an alfalfa seed production consultant for Pioneer HiBred International Incorporated.
Gill has a daughter Amoreena Joy France, a granddaughter, Angelina France, attending Seattle University, Washington, and a son Andrew Sorg, married to Amanda Duarte of Sao Paulo Br., living in Spokane, WA.
To take available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of soil, water, and related resources.
Adapted from Pete Nowak's "The Conservation District Official: Villain or Victim?"