As a follow up to last month's news on the Earth Day Event held at the County Fairgrounds, and the installation of raingarden #1 by The Raincatcher, Inc., it is with celebration we announce the addition of yet another connecting raingarden and tree demonstration planting at the same facility site! This exciting project was just completed by Seeds of Wisdom, LLC at the end of last month.  The meandering constructed rock "stream" will take advantage of large rooftop stormwater collection and direct the irrigation water toward the newly planted Chinquapin Oak, Nanking Cherry, Curl Leaf Mahogany, Three Leaf Sumac, Kentucky Coffee Tree Espresso, and Little Leaf Mock Oranges for visitors to enjoy for years to come.  The rock work and plantings will provide excellent erosion control and shade for the adjacent parking area as well. It is delightful to feel the moisture in the air and on the thirsty ground early this year. It would seem that these efforts are coming to a closure just in the nick of time to see the benefits as monsoonal storms build in the skies.   

In strategizing and planning to support healthier habitats, such as this new rain and tree garden, it is important to understand the difference between day to day weather effects and the overall climate patterns long-term.  The monsoons might be a little earlier than usual this year, yet climate science predicts, based upon multi-layered evidence, that New Mexico will become more arid over the course of the next century.  Despite the increasing aridity, extreme fluctuations in weather patterns portend the potential for an increase in wildfires and flooding events.  Staff, working with subject matter experts, and community organizations are mapping key locations for capturing precious rain throughout the County--partnering with the Public Works Projects team to incorporate green stormwater infrastructure at County facility properties. 

Working to advance the 30x30 Global Initiative for habitat protection, conservation, water security needs of the County's natural resources, during the past few months, the Sustainability Division rolled out the 2021-2022 MS4 Permit Report, Domestic Well Monitoring Program Report and Plan recommendations for the La Cienega and La Cieneguilla planning area, and hosted the Earth Day 2023 Community Event and the third annual Backyard Composting Program. 

Staff are currently focused upon a comprehensive Phase 1 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for the County, which incorporates these programs in nature based climate solution actionable practices.  While the first iteration of the County's CAP is expected to be released at the June 13th BCC, work has been ongoing for the past three years with numerous community events like Earth Day in order to leverage opportunities for increasing resiliency through the enhancement of habitat biodiversity and conservation.  The Sustainability Division strives to continue to nurture and grow a vast array of nature based solution partnerships, internally and community-wide, to include dedicated volunteer programs, such as the Adopt a Road Program, that assists the community in litter and contamination removal, and the Master Naturalist native plant and ecosystem conservation, as well as watershed health partnerships. This network of collaboration mirrors nature's regenerative systems that fortify and expand pollinator corridors, soil nutrients and clean water byways that keep our urban, rural, grassland and forested landscapes healthy and full of vibrant life for all species to inhabit and draw sustenance.    

The County Volunteer Program is excited to highlight two community clean up events this month! El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, the living history museum in La Cienega, held their annual Los Pinos Rd clean-up on May 11^th. This community effort resulted in over thirty bags of garbage being removed from the roadside and two tires. Just a few days later, on May 13^th, the La Cieneguilla Neighbors organized a community clean-up for Paseo Real, and also collected thirty bags of garbage and 5 tires! Our community partners are an important collaborator in helping to keep litter out of our waterways, roads, and wild areas. If you would like support planning a community clean-up of a County road in your area, please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator, Nav Khalsa via email at nkhalsa@santafecountynm.gov.

Now is the time to strategize on capturing the coming rain. Though large scale raingardens require heavy machinery, there are smaller versions that can be created in one's yard with nothing more than a shovel, rocks, and mulch!  Check out the design ideas and have fun watching the wildlife migrate to a little oasis retreat for you and all your visitors!  Be sure to call 811 before you dig! 

If volunteering is more up your alley, the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners could use some extra hands watering the County's new Fairgrounds raingarden.  Contact Sustainability's Volunteer Coordinator, Nav Khalsa, via email at nkhalsa@santafecountynm.gov for more information and to sign up for watering to assist the establishment of all the new plantings!