Janice Varela is the Mining Action Campaign Director for Amigos Bravos, an organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Rio Grande watershed. Previously, Janice was the director of administration at Reconnecting America, a national nonprofit that builds connections between and among transportation networks and the regions and communities they serve. Janice also works for the Rio de las Gallinas Acequia Association, where she advocates for rights of land based people in Northern New Mexico, and assists with defense of water rights during adjudication proceedings. She has been active in acequia and environmental justice issues in New Mexico for many years, and was a key figure in efforts to clean up the Terrero mine in her hometown of Pecos, New Mexico. She is an AmeriCorps veteran and serves on the board of a number of public interest organizations, including Community and Indian Legal Services of Northern New Mexcio, 1000 Friends of New Mexico, and serves as co-chair of New Mexico Coalition for a Liveable Future.