On Jan. 14, over 75 investigators attended a multi-institution virtual workshop hosted by the University of New Mexico (UNM) to develop a comprehensive research effort focused on drylands resilience. This workshop was the second to address the formation of a nascent initiative, the Northern Rio Grande Corridor Collaborative (NRGCC). The founding members of the NRGCC are UNM, New Mexico Tech, New Mexico State University, the University of Texas at El Paso, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.

“We are excited and enthusiastic about the potential of NRGCC,” says UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher. “Support of drylands resilience on a regional scale is essential to protect these normally robust ecosystems from extreme weather events and climate change. UNM will undoubtedly play a key role in this important regional partnership that is positioned to have global impact.”

The workshop provided an opportunity for researchers from these organizations to gather with other strategic partners from across the region to further develop research collaborations. The NRGCC seeks to develop and deepen a regional research partnership collectively dedicated to advancing discovery and its application in the areas of climate science, water, and clean energy. Ultimately, when solidified, the NRGCC partnership holds enormous promise for regional economic development and increased competitiveness for major research funding and educational advancements.

For more information about upcoming NRGCC opportunities, contact vpr@unm.edu.