Saving the Belen Marsh, an interview with Eileen Beaulieu

The protection of existing wetlands is among the top three goals of Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District. As the district has committed to informing the public of the importance of wetlands in New Mexico’s hot and dry environment, today’s column features the Belen Marsh through a recent conversation with Belen Marsh steward, Eileen Beaulieu.

Teresa: More than 30 years ago, after 30-plus acres in Belen were disturbed to provide “dirt” for road construction, the high water table was exposed, water pooled and an historic wetland re-emerged — the Belen Marsh. What role does it play in the environment?

Eileen: The Belen Marsh is a rare oasis in the Middle Rio Grande Valley. It is a living mosaic of wetlands, grasses and open water that provides essential habitat for hundreds of species. It is especially vital for migratory birds, serving as a seasonal refuge along the Central Flyway.

Over 200 hundred species of birds depend on the marsh, based on the most authoritative and frequently updated birding databases, such as the Birding Hotspots Database and eBird. Their count of 205 birds reflects normal variations as new sightings are added.

Each year, countless songbirds, ducks and shorebirds rely on the wetland as a resting and feeding ground. For many residents, the sight and sound of these birds is not just a natural spectacle but a cherished part of local heritage.

Teresa: You have been working for two decades to preserve the Belen Marsh. Could you share what brought you to this work?

Eileen: I started my efforts to preserve the Belen Marsh after my son died in 2005. This area was very important to him as he would go there after school to bird watch.

The marsh runs parallel to Don Felipe Road and the fairgrounds in Belen. Though modest in size, the marsh plays an out-sized role in sustaining the ecological health, cultural identity and environmental resilience of our community.

Every six months, I have gathered a group of volunteers to clean up the Belen Marsh and the road so that the marsh would remain a remarkable and irreplaceable natural asset. We kept the area pristine, with permission from the landowner, the Valencia County Fair Board.

I had many meetings with the fair board, offering to help conserve the area. I also garnered the support of many non-profit organizations and from Valencia Soil and Water.

Teresa: Knowing that wetlands are vital catchment areas for storm water and given the numerous floods that Belen area residents have endured, I imagine the fair board would have been eager to maintain the Belen Marsh for environmental protection.

Eileen: One would think so, because the ecological benefits of the marsh extend directly to the people of Belen and surrounding communities. Wetland naturally filter water, reduce flooding and improve groundwater recharge-services that become more valuable each year as our region faces increasing environmental pressures.

The marsh is a setting for education, recreation, and quiet reflection, connecting people of all ages to the land and wildlife that define New Mexico’s landscape.

Teresa: Did the fair board ever recognize the marsh as a vital asset?

Eileen: No. It seems my meetings with the fair board were in vain. They never provided feedback on our offer to preserve the area, but they let us continue to keep it clean. We demonstrated that we had raised money and were willing to write grant applications for Belen Marsh conservation.

Not once did anyone on the fair board contact me to request my input regarding it recently transferring the property to Valencia County government.

Teresa: What is your advice for the county and for folks interested in preserving the Belen Marsh?

Eileen: The Belen Marsh has been considered a birding destination in New Mexico and around the world for many years. I strongly support the protection of the Belen Marsh. Valencia County should be a land steward of the Belen Marsh property.

As a community, this is a rare opportunity to advocate that the county protects one of its most ecologically valuable and culturally meaningful natural areas. I respectfully urge the county to formally preserve the marsh and incorporate its protection into future land-use planning.

Teresa: You told me, “Once a wetland is lost, it is lost forever.” Can you elaborate on that?

Eileen: No amount of restoration can fully replace the intricate, centuries-old ecological relationships that make the Belen Marsh so unique. Preserving it is not only an environmental responsibility but an investment in the future wellbeing of our community.

I implore Valencia County to preserve this area as it makes plans for their county expo. I respectfully request the county to designate the Belen Marsh as a protected open space or conservation land, integrate wetland preservation into the county planning documents, and explore partnership with conservation organizations, schools and local birding groups.

Teresa: What can people do to help you save the Belen Marsh?

Eileen: I urge decision-makers, land stewards and fellow residents to recognize the extraordinary value of the Belen Marsh and to take all necessary steps to ensure its protection. Safeguarding this habitat today will allow future generations to experience the same beauty, biodiversity and sense of place that we are fortunate to enjoy now.

I offer my services and that of several non-profits to assist in continuing to preserve this area and to find grant funds that support wetland restoration and stewardship. Together, we can make this request to save the Belen Marsh a reality.

(Teresa Smith de Cherif is chairwoman of the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Eileen Beaulieu heads the Belen Marsh Committee of the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico (formerly known as Audubon) and is a board member of the Isleta Reach Stewardship Association. For more information about how you can help protect the Belen Marsh, write chair@valenciaswcd-nm.gov.)