By Annabelle Fleming, Architecture Major, Mentor Sara Fox. New Mexico is at a pivotal moment for water policy. As temperatures rise and demand for water increases statewide, New Mexicans must make critical decisions about how their water will be used in the future. The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission has been pulling together diverse cohorts of community members from the 9 separate water use zones to make decisions about how their water in their zone will be used, but one voice is often missing from these conversations: College students. College students are often unaware of how to engage with water planning, and state officials and the Interstate Stream Commission do not know how to reach them. College students bring a unique and valuable perspective to planning as New Mexico residents, members of the community, and future professionals who may make water policy decisions in their career, but who will certainly be living in a hotter, dryer New Mexico and have a right to determine what that life will look like. It is their water too, and their voice should be heard when making decisions on it. Developing improved communication and engagement toolkits, specialized information pamphlets, and partnerships with student organizations is the key to getting college students engaged in water planning. The project has two sides: giving government officials the tools to understand and reach college students and introducing college students to the idea and opportunity of water planning. The result will be improved communication and understanding between the New Mexico Interstate Stream commission and college students around water planning in New Mexico.
