Acequias are the lifeline of the South Valley, bringing water to fields and nourishing community relationships, wildlife, and agriculture. Rooted in place, common values, traditions, and a shared future, these waterways have a deep global history and have shaped the South Valley for centuries.
The exhibit featured both indoor and outdoor components and a wide range of complementary programming. Visitors explored the complex history of agricultural irrigation systems, the sacred nature of water and growing in New Mexico, and ways to support a thriving acequia system! Sign up for programs throughout the run of the exhibit that will deepen your knowledge and provide fun ways to engage with our agricultural heritage.
Nuestras Acequias was a collaboration of Bernalillo County Open Space, CESOSS, American Friends Service Committee, South Valley Regional Association of Acequias, and Gutiérrez Hubbell House.
Nuestras Acequias: Remembering our History, Irrigating our Crops, and Nourishing the Future of our Community was on view at Gutiérrez Hubbell House from April 22 – July 9, 2022.
All programs were free.
School fields trips and group tours were also available.
PROGRAMS
GHH Interpretive Team Training
Thursday, April 21 • 4 p.m.
This program is open to anyone interested in learning more about volunteering as museum guide for the Nuestras Acequias exhibit.
Exhibit Opening Reception
Friday, April 22 • 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Please join us for a special reception to open Nuestras Acequias: Remembering our History, Irrigating our Crops, and Nourishing the Future of our Community. Meet the curators, enjoy music and refreshments, and tour the exhibit in this drop-in reception.
San Ysidro Day
Sunday, May 15 • 3 p.m.
** Off-site at Isleta & Lopez Rd. Check afsc.org/NewMexico for more detail **
In New Mexico, people have gathered for centuries on San Ysidro Day and have processions to the farms and along the acequias. Branches of juniper and piñon trees are dipped into the acequia and then used to sprinkle the fields. The songs, prayers, and dances reflect the many faiths and traditions here.
Join us for this annual start to the agricultural year. The event begins at the corner of Isleta and Lopez Road. Please dress for the weather and bring water.
Acequia Walk & Talk
Thursday, May 19 • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Enjoy an evening walk along the Pajarito acequia madre with Santiago Maestas, President of the South Valley Regional Association of Acequias. This program is entirely outdoors, beginning at Gutierrez Hubbell House, and will follow the acequia north 1 mile to Durand Open Space. Please dress for the weather and bring water. The walk will end at Durand Open Space, 4750 Isleta Blvd SW, and participants can then return to GHH or may wish to coordinate carpools so that they can leave from Durand.
Wonder of Water Family Program
Saturday, June 11 • 9 a.m. – Noon
Drop-in any time. Story time at 10:30 a.m.
Bring the whole family to celebrate the role of water in our lives. Hear a story about San Ysidro at 10:30 a.m., look for wildlife living along the acequia, and enjoy hands-on explorations of the ways that waterways and river change over time. Guides will be on-hand as you visit the exhibit Nuestras Acequias and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities throughout the morning.
Rainwater Harvesting Panel and Workshop
Thursday, June 23 • 6 p.m. • Online Panel
Saturday, June 25 • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. • On-site Workshop
In two separate programs, we’ll continue our exploration of care and maintenance of passive rainwater harvesting basins. Our Thursday evening webinar builds on a series of training videos released in 2021 on how to design, install, and maintain residential-scale, passive rainwater harvesting features. In passive water harvesting, rainwater is conveyed directly to a landscaped area and infiltrated into the soil. Local rainwater harvesting experts will discuss passive water harvesting best practices and take questions from the audience.
On Saturday, we’ll focus on how to select plants for rainwater harvesting basins. We will address factors that influence plant selection, including local bioregions and wetness zones within the basin. This workshop will take place at the Gutiérrez Hubbell House Rainwater Harvesting Learning Landscape, where participants will be able to see an example plant palette chosen for an arid-adapted rainwater harvesting feature. The training will also include information from the ABQ Backyard Refuge Program on plants that support local wildlife.
Join us for one or both of these sessions. Participants are encouraged to watch the Residential Rainwater Harvesting video training series at www.bernco.gov/rainwater prior to this workshop. Bring your questions on how to put the guidance in the videos into practice!
This training is offered through a partnership between Bernalillo County, the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Arid LID Coalition.
Closing Celebration
Saturday, July 9 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
It’s your last chance to view Nuestras Acequias! Join us for a guided tour of the exhibit at 11 a.m., followed by a reception with music and refreshments. Meet the curatorial team and other partners and celebrate the close of the exhibit.