Who We Are
The Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy (OLWC) is a nonprofit organization based in Clovis, N.M. dedicated to conserving the groundwater resources of the Ogallala Aquifer. Through our voluntary, market-based model, we negotiate conservation easements and lease agreements with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to protect the long-term water supply for Eastern New Mexico, including the mission-critical needs of Cannon Air Force Base and its operational range.
Landowner Focused
Landowners are the heartbeat of the OLWC and who we primarily serve. We negotiate conservation easements and water right lease agreements on their behalf to ensure they receive fair compensation, retain land ownership, and maintain a domestic water supply while retiring their irrigation wells to transition from irrigated farm and ranchland to dryland cropping, pastureland or grazing. We do this through voluntary landowner participation - emphasizing a local, landowner-driven model that operates with values of trust, transparency, flexibility, and financial certainty.
Our Board Officers & Directors
Dr. Ladona Clayton
Executive Director/Secretary
Ladona Clayton, a 32-year veteran in educational leadership, made a career transition in October 2021 to lead the Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy (OLWC) and currently serves as Executive Director. What began as a civic responsibility evolved into a full-time calling—one where she now works on behalf of farmers, ranchers, landowners, and businesses to protect Eastern New Mexico’s water future.
Her background includes chairing the City of Clovis Water Policy Advisory Board, facilitating the first Eastern New Mexico Water Summit, and leading the City of Clovis Water Policy Strategic Planning Team that produced the City’s Master Water Assurance Plan (2017). She also served as a Clovis City Commissioner and board member of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority.
Clayton recently served on the Governor’s New Mexico Water Policy & Infrastructure Task Force and is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Water Ambassadors.
David Lansford,
President
Former Mayor, City of Clovis
Kyle Cain,
Director
Curry County Commissioner
Mike Morris,
Director
City of Clovis Mayor
Mark Carpenter,
Vice President
Business Owner
Sam Merritt,
Director
Agricultural Producer
Blake O'Hare,
Director
Agricultural Producer
Spencer Pipkin,
Treasurer
Central Curry SWCD, Chairman
Ronnie Montague,
Ex Officio Director
Agricultural Producer
Robert Thornton,
Director
At Large
Our Partners
OLWC is honored to partner with local, state and federal government entities, nonprofit organizations and philanthropic donors to enhance the quality of life and provide the long-term water supply needs for landowners and residents.
