OUR IMPACT
Connecting people, protecting rivers, and powering local economies.
Advocacy
And the Bigger Picture
River outfitters across New Mexico are strong advocates for protecting and restoring healthy instream flows, because without water in the river, the foundation of our work, and the broader outdoor recreation economy, collapses. Without immediate, meaningful action, the state risks losing not only river recreation, but also clean water, wildlife habitat, recreational access, tourism revenue, local businesses, and cultural heritage, while undermining critical investments in youth programs and outdoor equity that depend on thriving rivers; we call on leaders and communities to act now to ensure New Mexico’s rivers, and all they support, endure for generations.
EDUCATION
River outfitters across New Mexico are not just recreation providers. They are deeply embedded in education, workforce development, and youth programming statewide. Outfitters regularly partner with public school systems like Albuquerque Public Schools, where thousands of students participate in hands-on outdoor learning programs that connect classroom science to real ecosystems through field-based experiences . They support private schools and charter programs, contribute to statewide outdoor learning initiatives that have already reached thousands of students and dozens of schools, and align with New Mexico’s growing investment in outdoor education as a core part of youth development .
Outfitters also work directly with Tribal communities and Pueblos, as well as programs like YouthWorks, which since 2001 has provided paid environmental training, job skills, and leadership development for young people ages 16–24, building the next generation of land and water stewards . They collaborate with the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD) and other accessibility-focused programs to create inclusive outdoor education, offering ASL-led experiences and adaptive recreation that ensure equitable access to rivers. Across the state, outdoor equity investments have already connected over 106,000 youth to outdoor education and career pathways, demonstrating both the demand and the impact of these experiences .
Beyond formal programs, outfitters provide free community safety clinics, river rescue and water safety trainings, adaptive sports opportunities, behavioral health and therapeutic outdoor experiences, guide schools, internships, and mentorship pipelines into careers in recreation and natural resource management. They support youth camps, conservation corps, fishing education, wildlife programs, and partnerships with state parks that have engaged over 170,000 students in outdoor classrooms .
Together, this work positions river outfitters as a critical force in developing New Mexico’s youth to build confidence, leadership, job skills, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong connection to the outdoors. These programs are not supplemental; they are foundational to education, workforce pathways, and community health across the state—and they all depend on one thing: water in the river.
River Access
The Taos Box, our Class IV+ wilderness run and one of New Mexico’s premier river experiences, requires a minimum of approximately 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to operate safely and sustainably; today, the Rio Grande is experiencing flows below 140 cfs, the lowest water conditions outfitters have witnessed in more than 50 years. This is not only a devastating loss for our businesses, but a loss of access to one of New Mexico’s most powerful natural experiences, the opportunity to connect people with the river, and the cultural, economic, and recreational value that healthy rivers provide to our state.
Our Way of Life
At Risk
Water provides the foundation of our way of life. It sustains New Mexico’s $3.6 billion outdoor recreation economy, where fishing and boating are key drivers, generating over $92 million in tax revenue each year. Healthy, appropriate river flows build community, support local businesses, and sustain more than 31,000 jobs.
Flowing rivers also create opportunity. Outdoor recreation builds confidence, teaches life and job skills, and develops future leaders. We work with youth, behavioral health organizations, underserved communities, and people with disabilities to ensure access to our rivers while fostering stewardship, restoration, and a healthier society.
The enchantment of New Mexico: its waters, lands, people, and wildlife, depends on healthy rivers. Outdoor recreation is not just an industry; it is a pathway to a more connected, resilient, and thriving future.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
We not only provide access to the river for families, travelers, and visitors from around the world, but we also support local businesses by creating opportunities for team building, employee appreciation, and a deeper connection to the places they call home. River outfitters serve as a resource for businesses to experience and celebrate their own backyard, strengthening pride in New Mexico’s landscapes, communities, and shared identity.
The impact of river recreation extends far beyond the canyon, supporting local economies, schools, civic organizations, and community connections. New Mexicans are proud of where they live and who they are, and our industry represents the true diversity that makes New Mexico strong: diverse businesses, diverse landscapes, diverse cultures, and a shared commitment to protecting the rivers that connect us all.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
