The Water Desk is excited to announce an in-person training and workshop for journalists interested in covering the Rio Grande watershed to be held in El Paso, Texas.
The Rio Grande faces significant challenges: climate change, aridification, pollution, development, population growth, invasive species and more. The river forms a portion of the U.S.-Mexico border and is a critical water supply for three U.S. states—Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. As supplies shrink and tensions ramp up, litigation among the river’s users continues to make headlines. Tense diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Mexico are affecting the Rio Grande as well.
To equip journalists to better understand the river’s current and future challenges, The Water Desk will host a training program for journalists in El Paso, Texas, on March 25-27, 2026. Participating journalists will hear from legal experts, tribal leaders, environmental advocates and other speakers who can shed light on the Rio Grande.
We will select up to 15 participants who represent diversity in geography, race, gender and journalistic medium. Travel, lodging, meals and other expenses will be covered for all attendees. Additional funding for story coverage after the training will be made available. The program will begin the evening of March 25 and conclude in the afternoon on March 27.
The Thornburg Foundation, a Santa Fe-based family foundation, is providing the financial support to make this training possible, while the program’s content is the sole responsibility of The Water Desk. Deadline for applications is Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm Mountain.
Testimonials from journalist-participants at our 2025 Rio Grande workshop, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico:
“The most valuable part of the workshop was the boost of inspiration and support I got from spending 2.5 days with other passionate journalists and advocates.”
“I loved the collaboration opportunities, I loved the speakers, I loved the venue, I loved the opportunity. The whole thing was the best part of my journalistic year and was truly the jump start I needed.”
“I came for the information, but found that in the end the most valuable part of the workshop were the new relationships with fellow journalists I came away with.”
