Gila Hot Springs, New Mexico, surrounded by millions of acres of the Gila wilderness and just down river from the
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Our members and volunteers are grateful to call this place, “home”.
We began in 2012 as a small community group, called Gila Hot Springs Stewards. We partnered with the Gila National Forest to help clean up local campgrounds and educate visitors about fire dangers.
After a significant flood in the fall of 2013, we headed out in boats and cleaned up debris on 40 miles of river. Next, we tackled the invasive salt cedar in the wilderness and beat back its insurgence along the river.
Our commitment to the Gila coincided with a desire to create a lasting legacy to honor the efforts Ella Kirk, Ella Myers, and Michael Mahl, three local teens who died while conducting research on the forest. Our work is a continuation of their efforts. We incorporated as a 501c3 as Heart of the Gila in 2017. We recently formalized our volunteer agreement with the Wilderness District of the Gila National Forest and look forward to continuing our stewardship, education and research in the Gila.
Why a heart? What does it mean?
The heart is the river itself, at its source, where it begins and how it flows; like a beating heart nourishing the rest of the Gila landscape- the animals, the plants, and the human communities that depend on it. We also use the heart to represent Ella, Ella, and Michael and their love for the Gila. The precious and pure nature of a child’s unconditional love. But the heart also represents us-all of us-and our love for the places we live. Being in the “Heart of the Gila” challenges us to give back to this special place by protecting it from threats. Threats such as diversions, and dams. It challenges us to keep working to keep the Gila River free and wild forever.
We all must be the heart that keeps our public places protected. We do this for ourselves, for our children, for the future, and for all the creatures that inhabit the places we love.
Meet our Board of Directors