Valer Clark

Founder of Cuenca de los Ojos, Mexico and Cuenca Los Ojos, US

Valer Clark has been restoring watersheds for almost 40 years. Starting from small rock dams known as trincheras, she has pushed the limit of what can be done in large watersheds. She has been instrumental in forming a network of organizations to focus on a wildlife corridor between the United States and Mexico. She founded and provided significant initial funding for Cuenca de los Ojos AC in Mexico and Cuenca Los Ojos 501( c )3 in the US. She serves on several boards including Borderlands Restoration Network and Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza. Valer and her staff prioritize education of local students to understand and participate in the beauty of the land where they live through dozens of hands-on workshops. She has encouraged and supported scientific study of CLO’s restoration practices and biodiversity of CLO ranches resulting in a significant contribution to our knowledge of the Sky Island region. Valer’s outstanding conservation efforts have been recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Geological Survey.