Plant willow stakes to hold the riverbank at an Española public access

Stretches of the Rio Grande and Santa Cruz banks around Española are eroding bare, dumping sediment into the river and losing land with every runoff pulse. Live willow stakes cut and driven in winter dormancy root into living bank armor — the traditional, proven, nearly free fix. Standard: NRCS streambank bioengineering practice (live staking); SDG 15. Proof: Staked-bank photos + stake count with GPS Method (NRCS streambank bioengineering practice (live staking); SDG 15.): 1. Identify the eroding bank section at the public access or invited parcel with the host steward. 2. Cut dormant willow stakes from a permitted donor stand, trimming to length and marking top ends. 3. Drive stakes into moist bank soil at close spacing across the eroding face, two-thirds buried. 4. Trim tops and tamp soil around each stake. 5. Photograph the staked bank and record count with date and GPS. Done when: Staked-bank photos + stake count with GPS

Where

Public river access bank near Ranchitos area, Española, NM 87532

Pay

$320 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Staked-bank photos + stake count with GPS

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-02

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–60 minutes. Method of record: EPA dry-weather / AMD field screening

Bring

• GPS phone
• pH meter or strips
• conductivity meter
• ammonia + iron test kit as specified
• surfactant screen if specified
• gloves
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to the outfall/reach; record GPS; photograph it, capturing any visible flow or staining.
2. 2. Note whether flow is present in dry weather (yes/no).
3. 3. Measure and record pH, conductivity, and each specified analyte per kit instructions.
4. 4. Log any color, odor, floc, or aquatic-life observation.
5. 5. Enter all readings with units, GPS, time, and photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Dry-weather flow present with elevated conductivity/ammonia/surfactants -> flag suspected illicit discharge for the responsible agency.
• pH < 6 with visible iron floc -> tag suspected acid mine drainage; recommend metals lab panel.

What counts as done

• pH + conductivity recorded with units
• Each specified analyte recorded with a value
• Dry-weather flow present? recorded yes/no
• GPS waypoint + timestamped photo

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.