Photo credit Steven FryOnline GNPS program "Wetland Jewels of the Gila"

On Friday, June 16, 2023, at 7:00 pm, the Gila Native Plant Society will sponsor an online presentation entitled "Wetland Jewels of the Gila" by Steven Fry of the Amigos Bravos organization. As always, the public is welcome. Anyone interested in attending the Zoom presentation may request a link from gilanative@gmail.com.

Steven explains: The Wetland Jewels is a project by Amigos Bravos and partners to identify keystone wetlands in the Gila watershed that provide critical ecosystem function for wildlife and human uses of the watershed. Stakeholder outreach was conducted to solicit watershed users' input on desired watershed functions and that input was used by St. Mary's University to analyze the National Wetland Inventory mapping to identify the "Wetland Jewels of the Gila." The presentation will provide a quick background on the project's processes and show a preliminary identification of the "Jewels."

Amigos Bravos is a nonprofit organization formed in 1988 to protect and restore the waters of New Mexico ( www.amigosbravos.org ). Among its other projects, the organization has identified critical wetlands in the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests.

At Amigos Bravos, Steven Fry is responsible for leading policy and project development that improves watershed health, water source protection, and wetland restoration. He also provides research and technical assistance to internal/external requests and works to expand Amigos Bravos' partnerships with organizations and communities throughout New Mexico. Prior to joining the team, Steven worked on the management of stormwater flows using green infrastructure and the protection of nearshore ecosystems in the Seattle area. He has a Bachelor's in Economics from Santa Clara University and a Master's in Applied International Relations from the University of Washington where he focused on the intersection of wetland protection and economic development.

The Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promoting education, research and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest; encouraging the preservation of rare and endangered plant species; and supporting the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. For information on programs, publications and membership, please visit www.gilanps.org .Photo credit Steven Fry