We are happy to welcome Elizabeth Houghton, who comes to the team as an experienced professional dedicated to all things sustainable! Elizabeth will be heading up some of Sustainability Division's exciting projects focused on natural resources and ecosystem services, to include composting, recycling, and our new 4Nature Santa Fe program!  Please say hello and give her a big welcome when you see her out and about in the community! 

In her words: 

My dedication to sustainability has been a motivating force throughout my life, inspiring environmental engagement ranging from researching biofuels to planting trees in underserved neighborhoods. Completing a Master of Environmental Management Degree at Duke deepened my expertise in climate action, adaptation, and resilience. I also have a Certificate in Renewable Energy Management from the NC Clean Technology Center, a Permaculture Design Certification from Quail Springs, and a B.A. in Literature from UNC Asheville. Whether researching agroforestry, creating a municipal composting program, or performing in nature-focused giant puppet shows, I love taking creative and impactful action to heal the earth and help people and creatures. I bring a diverse background in ecology, sustainable food systems, and renewable energy, and I’m excited to support sustainability in Santa Fe County! 

In honor of all the ways Mother Earth is being celebrated during this time of year, the community engaged in a number of exciting activities over the course of Earth Day week and month! 

• On April 19, the Sustainability team was out in full force—braving snow and cold blasts—alongside other sustainability-focused local organizations at the Santa Fe Farmers' Market to announce the launch of the new program, 4Nature Santa Fe. This program offers resources and information on how to enhance habitats in residential, agricultural, or commercial landscapes, including guidance on soil health, biodiversity, water infiltration, and conservation. Check out the program and sign up for a certification program for your landscape!
• On April 24th the Santa Fe County Housing Authority launched the Affordable Mobility Platform (AMP) electric vehicle pilot program at two of its public housing communities at 52 Camino de Jacobo and 8 Las Lomas Drive.  Developed in partnership with Forth, PNM and the Land of Enchantment Clean Cities Coalition, the AMP program provides public housing residents and members of the public with access to two electric vehicles that can be rented for $5 per hour or $50 per day with additional discounts available for low-income users. Vehicles are reserved through the MDO Carshare app (Android, Apple) and can be used to fulfill any transportation need, be it running errands, attending appointments or visiting loved ones.

          The AMP program is available to anyone who is over 21 years of age, possesses a drivers              license and has a clean driving record. To get started, simply download the app, upload a                photo of your driver’s license and link a credit or debit card. Once approved, Forth Mobility              will provide you with an orientation on how to reserve and operate the vehicle. Users will be            charged a one-time $10 administrative fee, however, after completing the orientation each              user will receive a $20 credit to be used for their first trip.

          To learn more about the program and how it advances County efforts to reduce                                transportation emissions tune into latest episode of the Beyond County Lines Podcast                    available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart and Amazon Music.

• On April 25, Wild Friends with UNM Law School announced that a Citizen Science Day proclamation was made by the Governor Lujan Grisham. Everyone can participate as a community member to steward, track, and share their sightings and experiences of nature; it's a great way to learn and increase knowledge with online peers or to make a work plan with neighbors, in a classroom with students, or join a group working toward a particular science focused endeavor, and document observations out and about in nature! 
• In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, over 165 trees were requested and are now being distributed to K-12 students throughout the County. The Sustainability team, along with Commissioner Hughes and Johnson welcomed students and passed out trees helping kick off the program on April 26th at the County Fairgrounds. Extra trees will be used for restoration work in collaboration with Rio Grande Return.