EV Charging

Now Available at Solana Center!

Santa Fe County is continuing to build out its EV charging infrastructure. The newest charging station, funded in part by the Volkswagen Settlement fund awarded by the New Mexico Environment Department, is located on the southwest corner of the Solana Center in the City of Santa Fe. This is the fourth EV charging station the County has installed at its facilities that is available for public use.

Phasing out internal combustion vehicles is key to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with on-road transportation. Santa Fe County is proud to support the transition to EVs, and plans to expand EV charging infrastructure to more locations across the County.  The 2021-2030 portion of Santa Fe County's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Plan calls for the installation of five or more EV charging stations a year. (GHG Reduction Plan next steps implementation approved by the Board of County Commissioners on May 11th.) This goal is considered a "potential moving target" so that the County is enabled to mirror the infrastructure needs of EV uptake in the local and national market. 

2021-2030: A Decade of Restoration 

The UN launched a ten year focus on ecological restoration on June 5th, which is the official World Environment Day every year. As a participant of the Cities with Nature Initiative, the countywide "Restore Our Earth" community Earth Day planting events this spring were right on point with the UN as well for kicking off the decade of restoration in the Santa Fe County landscape! The UN initiative emphasizes ecology repair as a vital supplement to  the protection of ecosystems. Healthy and thriving ecosystems provide direct benefits to communities and wildlife and offer incredible potential for sequestering harmful carbon. 

"Ecosystems provide us with priceless benefits. They include a stable climate and breathable air; supplies of water, food and materials of all kinds; and protection from disaster and disease. Natural ecosystems are important for our physical and mental health, and for our identity. They are home to precious wildlife. For many, they are a source of wonder and spirituality." -Ecosystem Restoration Play Book: A Practical Guide to Healing the Planet

Just as Earth Day can be practiced every day, so can World Environment Day! The UN has developed a playbook that is full of information on the restoration goals, benefits, and ways that everyone can get involved in the solutions. And it doesn't stop at forests and pollinator habitats—managed areas and behaviors are also included in the push. Transforming gardens and pastures through planting cover crop, ditching the fertilizers and tillers, and introducing rotational grazing for both the health of livestock and land, as well as prioritizing purchases and diet choices for sustainability are all easily achievable contributions everyone can make.

The seven ecosystems that are in critical need of your help are:

1. Forests and Trees 

2. Rivers and Lakes

3. Towns and Cities

4. Oceans and Coasts

5. Farmlands and Grasslands

6. Mountains

7. Peatlands

Almost everyone has had the privilege of enjoying the benefits and joy that these listed areas provide. Pick one or more and make a pledge to do your part today and every day for the next ten years so that we can all continue to enjoy their life giving gifts before it is too late!  

What Can I Do?

Plan B to Fireworks and

Green it up on July 4th!

Fireworks are a big no-no in this year's dry tinder box of summer. On June 29, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners passed the Fire Department's Resolution # 2021-063, which states that due to the County's exceptional and extreme drought conditions, the use and sale of certain fireworks are banned effective on the same date.

No need to miss out on the celebrating though; there are a number of fun activities you can enjoy that won't put your neighbors and our community's shared habitat at risk of fire (and the pooches will appreciate it too!).

Throw a block dance party, create decorations from recycled wrapping paper and fabric, or how about a veggie food sculpture competition while the grill is (safely) firing up? No matter what you decide to do, it can also be done waste free if planned out ahead of time. Some great tips for waste free July 4th celebrations are found in this article by Recycle Nation.

More than anything, let's all think about the resilience of interdependence as we celebrate the day the United States declared independence! Even this nationally recognized day was a result of an interdependent effort with many organizations and groups of people coming together to achieve the goal of a democratic government. It's an excellent reminder of the impact our actions have on each other and the environment; so this year, be like nature, and work together for abundance and prosperity, health and the celebration of all interdependent life!