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On December 2, 2016, at the New Mexico Joint Stockmen’s Convention, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) presented both Cliff Waide and Jim Ross Caviness the 2016 BLM Restore New Mexico Land Stewardship Award.  They received their awards for their work to improve range conditions on their ranches and public land.  The annual award recognizes exemplary efforts to restore New Mexico’s landscapes to a healthy and productive condition. 

Mr. Waide, the owner of Waide Irrigation bought the Wiggins Ranch in February 2014.  The over 21,000 acre Ranch is made up of deeded, State, BLM, and uncontrolled land.  He has signed up with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to begin conservation projects, and partnered with the BLM as well to expand the extent of the work to get more of the watershed treated.  To date, Cliff has installed 14 new rubber tire drinkers, 7 fiberglass storages, 17 miles of pipeline, one livestock water well, and 4 solar pumps.  In addition, he has treated invading brush species on the Ranch, including 7,462 acres of mesquite and 3,220 acres of creosote.  All the treated acres have been rested every growing season, at a minimum, since treatment began.  

Mr. Caviness is a third generation rancher in southeastern New Mexico whose family has been ranching in the area for more than 40 years.  Recently, he assumed more direct management of the Caviness grazing allotments which include State, Federal, and private land.  In the last several years Jim Ross and his father have worked with the BLM on proposed projects to improve their allotments, which are about 30 miles northeast of Carlsbad in Eddy and Lea counties.  He has signed a Certificate of Participation in the Candidate Conservation Agreement for the Lesser Prairie Chicken and Sand Dune Lizard.  In 2014, the BLM and Jim Ross began aerial herbicide treatments for invasive areas of mesquite on his allotment, and to date he has treated more than 15,000 acres of public, State, and private land.  In addition, he has developed voluntary reduction of livestock during dry periods, as well as pasture rotation and rest.  This, combined with the creation of additional pastures, the labor for the reconstruction of nearly all of the interior pasture and boundary fences, the installation of nearly 4 miles of water pipeline, and labor and maintenance of 9 additional water developments, has improved livestock distribution and helped to maintain the results of the Restore New Mexico projects.  

“It is a pleasure to present both Mr. Waide and Mr. Caviness with the Restore New Mexico Award.  Their efforts not only improve the grazing capabilities of their individual allotments, but improve overall wildlife habitat.  These projects will help protect the landscape for the use and enjoyment of future generations,” said Amy Lueders, BLM New Mexico State Director.  

Since 2005, participants in the Restore New Mexico initiative have treated over three million acres of public, State, and private land, making the Restore New Mexico initiative a model for rangeland conservation in the western United States.  Over 300 partners, have participated in Restore New Mexico, including ranchers and other landowners, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, New Mexico State Land Office, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, several Soil and Water Conservation Districts, New Mexico State University, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the BLM.