Why the Gila River deserves permanent protection 

The Gila River is the last of its kind in the Southwest: a wild and free-flowing river system that remains undammed and unbroken from its headwaters. Originating in the world's first wilderness, the Gila River provides world-class opportunities for solitude, wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation for nearby communities as well as people visiting from around the world. This wild, undammed river is a rare safe haven for imperiled species found nowhere else in the world, and home to delicate habitats that remain untrammeled by human activity.

Those who have yet to experience the beauty of the Gila should seize the opportunity to view Journey Down the Gila, the first full-length documentary that visually captures the beauty and spirit of this special place. Directed by Albuquerque filmmaker David Garcia, the film follows an emotional journey, not only a river trip through the Gila Wilderness, but a touching story about three New Mexico teens who gave their lives for the wild places they loved, and their mothers who carry their legacies forward with their tireless work to protect this treasure. It’s a love letter to the Gila River and a rallying cry to keep it flowing freely.

New Mexico Wild and Heart of the Gila invite you to see this film on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a conservation community and VIP meet and greet. The screening will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by remarks from special guests, as well as an update on the current status of efforts to permanently protect the Gila under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Tickets are available now at abqtickets.com — a portion of the proceeds goes toward conservation efforts in the area.

The Gila River is a living memorial to these three teens who dedicated their time and hearts to preserving it for generations to come. The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act, which would enact the vision of the three teens, has been introduced in the Senate four times and in the House twice, most recently by Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Gabe Vasquez in April 2025. Wild and scenic designation provides the highest level of protection for rivers available under U.S. law.

This legislation continues to gain traction — it was just heard in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in December 2025. Of the approximately 108,014 miles of rivers in New Mexico, a scant 124.3 miles of them are designated as wild and scenic — or approximately 0.01%. Nationally, just over 0.25% of rivers have been afforded these protections. Yet, wild and scenic river legislation is gaining momentum in this Congress, with bipartisan bills introduced in several states across the U.S.

Join us on Jan. 14 at the South Broadway Cultural Center for a beautiful and moving story, and to unite on this growing momentum by rallying the community around the preservation of the precious Gila River and loudly calling for its permanent protection.

Shelby Bazan, a Wyss Fellow conservation organizer with the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, works to advance community-driven conservation and environmental stewardship across the state.