About

In 2024, a coalition of partners created the Eastern New Mexico Sentinel Landscape around a shared vision of protecting the military mission, safeguarding declining water supply, and stewarding rural working lands and the habitat they provide. This region boasts vast expanses of private ranches and farmlands as well as Cannon Air Force Base (AFB), home to the 27th Special Operations Wing (SOW). Cannon AFB SOW encompasses the 26th Special Tactics Squadron, 43rd Intelligence Squadron, and nearly 6,039 active military and civilian personnel. The landscape is also home to Melrose Air Force Range, which provides more than 11,800 annual training hours for Special Operations Forces.

The landscape brings together state, Federal, and local organizations to combat intensifying water scarcity across the region, worsening with extreme heat and aridification. Drought strains the dwindling groundwater reserves of the Ogallala Aquifer, the sole source of domestic water for Cannon AFB and most of the surrounding landscape. Declining groundwater also threatens farm, ranch, and dairy production in the surrounding agricultural community, especially those reliant on irrigation. This threatens livelihoods and the rural community on which the mission depends.

Recognizing the impact of these resilience concerns to both the installation and defense community, the Eastern New Mexico Sentinel Landscape emerged as a voluntary effort to effectively address water availability, agricultural viability, critical species habitat, and natural resource challenges.