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September 2019 Newsletter
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Compost Pilot Program Visits
In August, Sustainability staff visited 28 residential yards to check up on the 34 compost systems the County installed for residents. We dug for worms, tested moisture content, and assessed the 'black gold'. Great outcomes! Everyone we visited was enthusiastic about the program and all the systems are actively being used. Improvements included shrinking the footprint, adding more worms, and supplementing 'greens' with scavenged, local sources (like rotting apricots). We demonstrated the use of my favorite tool- the compost aerating crank (see picture) and shared tips on covers and harvesting the organic material. We will compile our findings in a report and presentation to the Board of County Commission. Are you interested in starting your backyard compost system? Visit our website, attend a compost clinic (see dates and details below), or give us a call.
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Drive Electric!
Decarbonizing our transportation system is the future, and the future is here. Come to Santa Fe's 2nd Drive Electric Celebration and learn about electric vehicles, charging technology, and how you can power your EV with the sun using a home solar system. Are you an early adopter who already drives an all electric vehicle? Bring your car and share your expertise with others including the cost, maintenance benefits, and how you manage charging and range-anxiety. And if you got the EV bug, consider this timely opportunity to receive $3,000 off the purchase of a new Nissan Leaf through the end of September. The rebate combined with the federal tax credit (if eligible) results in a $10,000 discount!
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Recycling Update
Did you know that recycling within Santa Fe County is now being processed locally at the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Station (BuRRT)? As a result, our community is reducing carbon emissions from the transportation of our recycled material. The 25% 'contaminated' recycling content can go straight to burial in our regional landfill without the Albuquerque-and-back haul. The processing and sorting of the recycled materials is still in start-up mode; stay tuned for more updates. What can you do to help these efforts? When you're not sure whether something is recyclable or not- visit our website, contact us, or toss it! Yep- when in doubt, throw it out!
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What Can I Do? Action 1
The most frequent question our office receives is "What can I do to help combat climate change?". In this and upcoming newsletters we'll share our recommendations. For this month, Action 1 is Understand Your Impact by measuring your carbon footprint. There are many calculators available... like the Global Footprint Network, The Carbon Fund, or The Nature Conservancy. Try them all and let us know which one you like and what you've learned!
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Save the Date - Upcoming Events
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Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7,
UNM Continuing Education Center, 1634 University Blvd., Albuquerque
Building Community to Address Climate Disruption
Galisteo Basin Preserve Trail Building Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 15, 8:45 am
Cowboy Shack, Galisteo Basin Preserve
Bring gloves, water, snacks, and a hat. For more information contact brent@bonwell.org
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Saturday Sept. 14, 9-11 am
Demonstration Garden @ the Fairgrounds, 3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe
Compost your organics and reduce 25% of your residential waste! If you can't make this one, the next is October 19.
Friday, Sept. 19, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
New Mexico State Capital
Join the youngest generations in calling for more climate change actions. (And bring your own water bottle!)
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Saturday, Sept.14, 10 am-3 pm
Santa Fe Place Mall, 4250 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe
Come learn about or show off your Leaf, i3s, Bolt, or Tesla!
 Fix It Clinic
Saturday, November 3, 1- 4 pm
Make Santa Fe, All Trades Road
Take Industrial Road east from Siler, then look for the banner on the left just after the All Trades Roads forks to the left. Albuquerque is holding their first FixIt Clinic on November 16 at the FUSE Makerspace from 9-12.
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Sustainability Comments or Questions?
We are your local advisors on all things sustainability in Santa Fe County. Call us about anything from water conservation, cleaner transportation, solar and renewable energy, composting, recycling, etc. Or let us know what you would like to learn more about in our newsletter. If you do not wish to receive these monthly newsletters, let us know and we will remove you from the listserve Note: We're short-staffed at the moment, so if you do reach out to us, please- be patient!
Contact us at:
Claudia Borchert
505.992.3044
cborchert@santafecountynm.gov
Jacqueline Beam
505.992.9832
jybeam@santafecountynm.gov
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