Albuquerque, Yuma Focus on Water Conservation, Gardening Skills

As the growing season begins in Albuquerque, the Community Garden Week highlights resources available for both amateur and seasoned gardeners through a master gardener program at the Albuquerque Area Extension Office. The program, which has seen high demand since its inception in the 1960s, provides training on gardening in New Mexico's unique desert environment, focusing on native plants that thrive in the region's alkaline soil. Meanwhile, in Yuma, Arizona, experts emphasize the importance of wastewater recycling as a crucial strategy to address the anticipated shortage of 2 to 4 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River. With Arizona leading in wastewater recycling efforts, the city of Yuma is positioned as a model for water conservation, demonstrating that reusing treated water can significantly bolster local water supplies. These initiatives reflect broader efforts to manage water resources responsibly amid ongoing drought conditions affecting the western United States.