Last month, the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners approved an exciting new partnership between the County and the Santa Fe Conservation Trust to monitor the night sky. The night sky has long been a source of solace and wonder for humans. It is also critically important for nocturnal wildlife that depend on the darkness to hunt or hide from predators. Certain migratory birds even rely on the night sky for navigation! Unobstructed views of the stars are becoming increasingly rare as artificial light from cities and towns flood the sky. Excessive artificial light can disorient wildlife and is even thought to adversely affect human health. In 1999, New Mexico passed the Night Sky Protection Act to regulate outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution while conserving energy and promoting safety.

To help protect the night sky, Santa Fe County is partnering with the Santa Fe Conservation Trust (SFCT) to monitor light pollution. SFCT will install and operate three night-sky monitoring stations on the roofs of County buildings over a 10-year period. Data from these stations will be shared with the County Sustainability Office to support decision-making to preserve and enhance the night sky.

Want to get involved? Below are just a few ways you can help protect the night sky in your own backyard!

• Consider how much light you need: Before installing or replacing a light, make sure it is serving a clear purpose, like illuminating a walkway.
• Use shielding: Outdoor lights that emit light upwards or sideways are a primary contributor to light pollution. Use shielding to focus light where it is needed.
• Install motion sensors or timers: Consider when you need a particular area to be illuminated. Where feasible, install motion sensors or timers so that the light is only on when you need enhanced visibility.
• Choose appropriate light bulbs: Opt for warmer light colors and use energy efficient bulbs that are only as bright as you need.

Stay tuned for updates on dark sky monitoring in Santa Fe County!

This November, we would like to recognize the change-makers who generously give their time to the Santa Fe County community. Each year, community members support beautification initiatives, help protect natural resources, lend their expertise on advisory committees, and offer input during public meetings.

Volunteers in the Santa Fe County Adopt-a-Road Program carry out clean ups along County roadways at least twice per year, with some participants cleaning their roads nearly every day! Together, they have picked up over 145 bags of trash this year. A team at Las Golondrinas collected 50 bags of trash along Los Pinos Road in this year’s largest single clean-up event.

More than 65 community members lent a helping hand at five County Earth Day events in 2022. Participants planted more than 250 trees, flowers, and shrubs in community facilities, affordable housing developments, and at a County open space.

In addition, Master Naturalist volunteers play a key role in maintaining County open spaces. Master Naturalists attend 12 weeks of classroom and field training to deepen their understanding of the ecology and environmental issues in New Mexico. They then complete at least 30 volunteer hours with local organizations, including the Santa Fe County Open Space Program. In 2022, Master Naturalists were instrumental in monitoring plants and wildlife, removing invasive species, and addressing erosion on County open spaces.

Community members also generously share their expertise by serving on County advisory boards. In 2022, the County launched its Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene Working Group. This group is conducting important research to make informed recommendations concerning an educational program and impacts of single-use plastic and polystyrene products on the community.

Deepest gratitude for all the many ways community members give their time to these and other local initiatives!

Take action to reduce your carbon footprint and support your community this holiday season! Below are a few tips to green up your November.

• Shop local: Buying locally produced food and goods is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and support small businesses. Check out local farmer’s markets and artisan’s markets for holiday gifts and food. Save on New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax by shopping on Small Business Saturday on November 26.
• Try vegetarian recipes: You can lower your carbon footprint by opting for plant-based meals using local and in-season ingredients. In general, more energy, land, and water are required to produce meat than plant-based foods. Producing just one kilogram of beef generates 70.6 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions while producing the same quantity of vegetables generates just 0.7 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions. Incorporating more vegetables into your diet is good for your health and the planet. Click here for climate-conscious recipes!
• Keep food out of the landfill: Food waste made up over 20% of the material that was sent to landfills in the United States in 2018. Reduce food waste at the source by planning your meals in advance and taking an inventory of your kitchen before you shop. Be sure to properly store food to maximize its shelf life and compost kitchen scraps to return nutrients to the soil.

Thanks for all you do to support our community!