LEA COUNTY, N.M. — Raymond and Gina Anderson never expected a conversation at their front door would lead them into the world of playa restoration. The couple, who live just outside of Lovington, New Mexico, already spent years enhancing the wildlife habitat on their property — planting hundreds of trees, creating ponds, and even working to build an 11-acre lake in the middle of the desert. “We’re bird lovers and animal lovers in general,” Gina Anderson said.
But despite their passion for nature, the Andersons said they had never heard of restoring playas until Ryan Lenz, from Playa Lakes Joint Venture, and Jesse Barber, from Lea County Cooperative Extension Service, showed up at their property.
“We didn’t even know there was such a thing as playa restoration,” Raymond Anderson said.
Playas — also called mud holes, buffalo wallows, and lagoons — are vital, temporary wetlands that provide important habitat for wildlife and are a primary source of recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer, a critical water source for people in eastern New Mexico. These shallow, clay-lined depressions collect runoff from the surrounding area, filtering out contaminants and directing water underground.
As the group walked across the property, the Andersons quickly realized their land held more potential than they originally thought.
Ryan and Jesse identified several playas on the property, including a large playa that Raymond had already started working on, removing excess sediment that had accumulated in the basin to use in creating ponds elsewhere.
For Gina, the experience immediately became personal. “I’m very much a nerd at heart — also a nature nerd,” she said with a laugh.
The couple’s 8-year-old granddaughter joined them during that first visit and quickly became fascinated by the wildlife and habitat discussions taking place around her. “She said she learned so much from walking around with them,” Gina said.
That initial visit laid the foundation for what has now become a full playa restoration project. When Ryan returned to explain the program in more detail, the Andersons were eager to learn more. “He was able to explain the playa restoration project to both of us,” Gina said. “And we walked around the property, and we think there’s three more playas besides the buffalo wallow Raymond had already been digging out.”
“We didn’t even know there was such a thing as playa restoration.”
As longtime wildlife enthusiasts, the Andersons say one of the most exciting parts of the project is imagining what restored playas could bring to their land. Playas are the center of biodiversity on the plains — supporting 185 bird species, 450 plant species, 13 amphibian species, and 37 mammal species at some point in their life-cycle.
The couple already sees an impressive variety of wildlife around their property, including deer, bobcats, migratory birds, and waterfowl drawn in by the ponds and water features they’ve created over the years.
At one point, Gina said their partially completed lake attracted thousands of yellow-headed blackbirds, swallows, and red-winged blackbirds. “It was just so delightful,” she said.
The couple hopes the restored playas will continue expanding habitat opportunities for wildlife across their property. “We would love to see that increase,” Gina said. “So if this is going to help with that.”
Beyond the wildlife benefits, the Andersons say they have been surprised by how smoothly the process has moved so far. “The professionalism of Ryan has just been off the charts,” Raymond said. “His willingness to navigate the GPS coordinates, all the technology, all the paperwork… we’ve been very impressed.”
Gina said one of the biggest surprises was learning state funding was available to help private landowners restore playas on their property.
“That just blew me away,” she said. “I’m very excited about not just having the static part of a playa restored on my land, but more so the percolation of the water — the water going back into the water table.”
For the Andersons, the project is about more than aesthetics or wildlife viewing. It’s about future generations and long-term water sustainability in southeastern New Mexico.
“There’s nothing that delights me absolutely more than helping replenish the water table,” Gina said. “Because I have grandchildren here, and our water table is dropping, and we need to get it back up.”
The project is still in its early stages. Archaeologists have already surveyed the property, contracts have been signed, and restoration work is expected to begin soon.
Meanwhile, Raymond is already looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of his tractor to continue removing excess sediment from the playa. “Raymond’s favorite thing in the world is to drive his tractor,” Gina joked.
The couple says they hope their story encourages other landowners to at least explore what conservation opportunities may exist on their own properties. “I would just say, ‘Hey, did y’all know this is available?’” Gina said.
And while they may still be early in the process, the Andersons already see the bigger picture taking shape. “I’m a very visionary person,” Raymond said. “I can see the future of it.”
Learn more about Raymond and Gina’s story. Hear them talk about restoring wetland habitat in the desert.