Our Shared Vision
Our shared vision of the rural Southwest is one in which our communities are economically vibrant and self-sustaining, invested in local development, capacity and infrastructure, and in which the environment is restored and cultural identities thrive.

We affirm rural people as stewards of our spiritual, educational, economic, and mental and physical health, and as equal and respected partners in all levels of government, civic engagement and collective leadership. 

Dia de San Isidro ~ Blessing of the FieldsDia de San Isidro ~ Blessing of the Waters

The Southwest Rural Policy Network is a coming-together of fourteen organizations located in Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

Through the sharing of resources, and our 'brain trust,' we engage in issues education and policy advocacy.

Through the synergy of our Network, we work to improve the lives of those residing in the rural Southwest. We work to preserve our environment for those who enjoy and care about our rural areas, and we work to assure that our traditional rural lifestyle remains an option for our generations to come.

Our Work

Policy Action Teams:
Our work takes place in three policy areas: Health, Economic Justice, and Social Justice and the Environment. We work at the state, regional and national levels, all the time addressing these issues within the rural context.

To learn more about the specific work done by our Action Teams, please visit our Policy Action Teams page.

 Announcements

SWRPN member Amigos Bravos successful in the New Mexico Court of Appeals 

After four years of deliberation, the New Mexico Court of Appeals has released its decision in the Amigos Bravos case against the City of Albuquerque's diversion of native Rio Grande water for its drinking water project. 

The SWRPN will continue to track and offer support to Amigos Bravos: the Court of Appeals has remanded the case back to District Court and more than likely, the case will end up in the NM Supreme Court. Click here to visit the Amigos Bravos website for updates.

New Report:

Rural Communities Face Daunting Challenges Accessing Basic Financial Services

When it comes to basic financial services such as banking, rural communities are greatly underserved, according to a new report released by the Center for Economic Integrity and the Southwest Rural Policy Network.

Click here to view the report in its entirety on the SWRPN Wiki. 

Clean Water Workshops

Grants Available !!!

Six workshops in 2011 and 2012
for six communities in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona

Small grants are available for an organizer or organization in each community to coordinate the workshop logistics (location, getting people to attend, advertising, and food).

Click here for additional information

or...

Contact Amigos Bravos today to make sure your community is included!

Call Rachel Conn or Brian Shields at 575-758-3874; or email Rachel at rconn@amigosbravos.org.



National Rural Health Day
Successfully Conducted
November 17, 2011

To learn more about the 2011 National Rural Health Day, click here

Policy Work Groups

In addition to the work done by our Policy Action Teams, the Southwest Rural Policy Network will occasionally champion current issues which are of special relevance to our region.

We are deeply involved in Immigration Reform issue and are closely tracking Arizona's SB-1070 legislation, commonly referred to as the 'anti-immigration' legislation.

We have  taken a look at 'Resource Parity' and are building a body of information on the funding disparities between urban and rural communities.

We are also surveying Food Policy Issues within our region.

To learn more about these topics, please visit our Policy Issues   page.

Be an Agent of Change

We invite you to be a partner with us. There are a number of ways in which you can actively participate in the work we do:

Participate in our Action Alerts
At various points in our work, we will mobilize supporters to engage in letter-writing campaigns or to be present at legislative and administrative rule-making Hearings. If you feel the work we do is also important to you, visit our Join our Action Alerts page for information on how you too can become an Agent of Change.

Let us help you in your work!
In addition to doing the actual 'boots on the ground' work in communities, with policy makers and with administrative rule makers, the Southwest Rural Policy Network is building a resource which is available to assist other organizations and activists in their work. This treasure-trove of information addresses topics ranging from organizational capacity building for networks, to advocacy guidelines for 501 (c) 3 organizations.  This information is found on the Southwest Rural Policy Network Wiki. Visit our Wiki!

 Stay informed about what is taking place at the federal level:

Sign up to track your Senators' and Representatives' vote byemail.

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