The month of November begins the season of self-reflection and gratitude. This month, Santa Fe County would like to recognize the change-makers who generously give their time to the community. From supporting beautification initiatives, environmental stewardship, and sharing their expertise on advisory committees, the County is thankful for the community’s dedication to a sustainable future! 

Throughout 2023, volunteers participated in community programs including Adopt-a-road, the Backyard Composting initiative, and Master Naturalist Training. These programs are pivotal to preserving Santa Fe’s natural beauty and supporting public understanding of our shared ecology. Through the community’s hard work, hundreds of pounds of litter were removed from roadsides, and residential green waste was transformed into soil-enriching compost, reducing participant's household waste contribution to the landfill by approximately 22%!

Last April, Santa Fe County celebrated Earth Day with more than 75 community members. The celebration was a resounding success and culminated in the finalization of a rain garden at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds. To learn more about the event, please see the Santa Fe County 2023 Earth Day Story Map!

Finally, passionate community members serving on the Single-use Plastics and Polystyrene Working Group presented their findings earlier this Fall after a year of research. Their commitment to reducing the impact of single-use plastics in Santa Fe County is admirable. The final report is available for the public and is currently being reviewed by County Administrative to determine the next steps for reducing this concerning pollutant countywide.

Many thanks for the countless ways community members lend their time and expertise to these local initiatives! Your participation in local government makes a difference!

October was a busy time for Sustainability. Staff participated in a number of events including the Symposium on the Future of Transportation in New Mexico, the Outdoor Economics Conference (OEC) and the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) Energy Storage Workshop.

During the Symposium on the Future of Transportation in New Mexico that was held in Albuquerque, staff participated in discussions that united the auto industry, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure hardware and software providers, government, electric utilities, testing facilities and policymakers to provide a forum for electric vehicle interoperability testing. The symposium was sponsored by Governor Michelle Lujan Graham's administration. At the event, the Governor announced that New Mexico would be pursuing EV tax credits which should lead to an immediate reduction in the upfront cost of electric vehicles and set a strong example by transitioning to an EV fleet as soon as possible.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has also been leading the way regarding EV infrastructure. Thirty DC fast chargers will be installed by the end of November with a focus on reducing range anxiety across the state. While the interstates have been "somewhat" electrified, NMDOT fast chargers connect secondary networks along routes such as US 84/64 and NM 550. An additional twelve fast chargers are being installed with private entities across the state and on NMDOT properties. See their progress with the NMDOT EV Planning Dashboard.

The Sustainability Division in partnership with Santa Fe County Open Spaces, Trails, and Parks participated in the Outdoor Economics Conference. Through a collaborative effort, staff conveyed the importance of recreating sustainably, effective management, and the importance of public trails for the mitigation of ecological degradation. This conference provided staff an opportunity to table, engage and increase knowledge around the development of outdoor recreational business opportunities, safety, access and inclusivity, and the role of specialized infrastructure in economic and community development.

Finally, sustainability staff attended the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) Energy Storage Workshop. This workshop focused on utility-scale energy storage, providing high-level discussion on the state and future of energy storage in New Mexico. Nationally, U.S. battery storage capacity is expected to increase from approximately 7 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 to 30 GW by 2025. New Mexico's potential for developing solar and wind energy resources will undoubtedly play a big role in the future of renewable energy.

While the holiday of Thanksgiving is celebrated in a number of ways, unifying celebration themes are found in family, loved ones, the bounty of the planet, and yummy food! We especially say thanks for the autumn harvest, delights of which are on our dinner plates during this holiday. This wouldn’t be possible without the agricultural workers, clean water and healthy soil required to produce our fall favorites.

Below are some tips to practice a more sustainable autumn feast to share and preserve the planet for future generations to experience as well.

• Reduce waste: Landfills experience an exponential increase in waste during the Thanksgiving season. During Thanksgiving week alone, over 200 million pounds of waste are generated. Ensure you aren’t falling victim to overconsumption and conclude the holiday with a trash bag full of spoiled leftovers. Make only what you expect to consume and freeze leftovers; buy in bulk to reduce associated single-use plastic packaging.
• Eat Green: While turkey is a staple of the holiday, incorporating more plant-based feast items can reduce your carbon footprint. Animal-based food items require exponentially more resources than plants-based alternatives to provide similar nutritional value. Easy-to-make and delicious vegetable-based menu items offer more sustainable and fun Thanksgiving dinner options.
• Buy Local: Sourcing your ingredients from local producers reduces the packaging, travel, and waste. Visit Santa Fe County's AgriGate page for a list of local food producers, check out local farmers markets, or simply visit your favorite locally-owned shop. It's good for people, prosperity, and the planet!
• Compost: Remember to compost food scraps, especially vegetables peels, stems, and even cardboard packaging. You can use your compost to help your garden produce next year's Thanksgiving staples.

Many blessings and gratitude for all you do to make the world a better and brighter place and may the gratitude you share, spread to reach those who need it most this season!