GRIP Receives Community Stewardship Nonprofit of the Year Award from Chamber of Commerce

November 14, 2025 — We are honored to receive the Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce Community Stewardship Nonprofit of the Year Award for 2025.

GRIP was recognized for completion of its 3-year San Vicente Creek River Stewardship Project to reduce riparian wildfire risk by removing non-native trees and fuels from 55-acres of floodplain, improve water quality by protecting Silver City’s sewer infrastructure from erosion, and restoring wildlife habitat by planting willows, cottonwoods and other native trees and shrubs. GRIP’s Grant County AIR-WISE was also cited as providing real-time air quality data to residents and first responders during the Trout Fire, ensuring the community had timely information to protect their health. The award also recognized GRIP’s work with the Pick It Up – Toss No Más campaign and the Southwest New Mexico Community Forestry Network that are transforming public spaces and roadsides, inspiring hundreds of volunteers to keep Silver City and surrounding communities beautiful, thriving, and connected to the landscapes that define our region.

GRIP’s work would not be possible without strong community collaboration across government, academia, business, nonprofits, and community volunteers including the Town of Silver City, New Mexico Environment Department, NM Department of Tourism, Western New Mexico University, the University of New Mexico INSPIRES program, US Forest Service, Stream Dynamics, Southwest Tree Solutions, Gila WoodNet, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance New Earth Project, Integrated Biological Solutions, Aldo Leopold Charter School and its Youth Conservation Corps, and swnmACT.

Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for this prestigious award!