We are not a county agency. The Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District (DASWCD) is a special subdivision of the State of New Mexico — independently governed, locally focused, and accountable directly to the residents and landowners of our district. We are not affiliated with Doña Ana County or the City of Las Cruces, though we have occasionally partnered with them on specific projects.
Who We Are
DASWCD is authorized by the New Mexico Soil and Water Conservation District Act (NMSA 73-20-25 through 73-20-48) to serve the people of Doña Ana County by:
- Conserving and developing our region's natural resources
- Supporting flood control efforts
- Preserving local wildlife and habitat
- Protecting the local tax base
- Promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of our community
Our History
Our district was established on June 17, 1966, originally serving the rural areas outside Las Cruces under the name La Union Soil and Water Conservation District. In 2010, our boundaries expanded to include the City of Las Cruces, and our name was updated to reflect that broader mission.
How We're Governed
DASWCD is led by a volunteer Board of seven Supervisors — residents and landowners from within the district who give their time because they care about this land and this community. Our Board meetings are open to the public and held monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at the EBID Conference Room, 530 S. Melendres Street, Las Cruces. We welcome you to attend.
Our Partners
We work alongside a network of local, state, and federal partners — including the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, US Forestry Service, Bureau of Land Management— as well as local agricultural producers who are working to protect and improve their land. Every partner shares our commitment to advancing soil and water conservation across both private and public lands in our region.
To take available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of soil, water, and related resources.
Adapted from Pete Nowak's "The Conservation District Official: Villain or Victim?"
Josh Smith is the Manager-Treasurer of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District having filled the position in October of 2024. Prior, he practiced law in Las Cruces for 17 years in the areas of water, business and real estate law and is a partner in the real estate brokerage of Saenz & Smith. A native of southern New Mexico, he grew up on a ranch in the boot heel and graduated from Deming High School. Josh attended NMSU receiving an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business before attending law school at Texas Tech.
In 2023 was appointed to DASWCD. In 2024 was elected to the board of supervisor for 4 years. Being a land owner and living in Chaparral wanting to help the community getting involved in local government
Jeremy Griego is the Treasurer of the DASWCD Board of Supervisors. He retired from the US Navy and graduated from Grand Canyon University. He has a background in Emergency Management in California and is currently a ranch owner in Las Cruces.
NMSU Alumni with a Bachler of Science in Ag Business and Economics, and a Master of Science in Agriculture.
John Pearson occupies the Position 2 Supervisor seat on the Dona Ana Soil and Water Conservation Board. He is a retired hydrogeologist with over 30 years of experience on environmental projects, covering mainly water resources and groundwater, in New Mexico. John earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in geology from the University of Texas at El Paso and worked over 20 years in Las Cruces at the NASA-White Sands Test Facility as their Senior Hydrogeologist. John’s focus with the Board is on groundwater-related issues in Dona Ana County and on promoting education related to the County’s and New Mexico’s water resources.
Born and raised in Hastings, Minnesota, and son of an electrical contractor, Gill graduated from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota, with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He taught science at St. Augustine School in Austin, Minnesota. Continuing his pursuit in education, Gill joined the Peace Corps and taught science at Ghana’s Amedzofe Teacher Training College,70-73. There he met and married his wife, Christine A. McConaty, also a science teacher in the Peace Corps. Returning to the United States, he received a Master of Science in Biology at the University of North Dakota.
Gillian Godby is the Field Technician for Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District working primarily on the Healthy Soil Program with the NMDA and Cover Crop Program in partnership with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. Godby received her Bachelor of Individualized Studies from NMSU with a double minor of Sustainability and Geography in 2023 and her Associate of Science from NMSU in 2021. She is driven to educate the public about the opportunities locally available to New Mexico residents to get involved in the conservation of natural resources whether that is to take advantage of grants, educational opportunities, or volunteer programs. In her leisurely time, Ms. Godby enjoys hiking, arts & crafts, photography, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
Meet Scouty Sprout - the tail-wagging pup who loves the land as much as she loves a good belly rub! As the official mascot of the Doña Ana Soil & Water Conservation District, Scouty is on a mission to keep Doña Ana County's soil's healthy and conserve water. Scouty brings her boundless energy and heart to every corner of the District. She knows that good land stewardship starts with curiosity, and she has plenty of that!