The Santa Fe County's Community Development Department (CDD) houses Sustainability, Economic Development, Tourism, Film Divisions, as well as Public Housing and Affordable Housing. We are excited to welcome Jonathan Butler, who joined the team at the end of July, as the new Director of the Department. An introduction in his own words is included below:

I’ve been described as a gifted community leader and bridge-builder who is thoughtful, authentic, and forthright. I bring over 25 years of experience cultivating and strengthening relationships with diverse communities and facilitating cross-sector collaborations. My experience spans representing Fortune 500 companies in private law practice to leading dynamic teams of professionals in affordable housing, community engagement, neighborhood revitalization, and diversity and inclusion for city governments and authorities in Tulsa, San Antonio, Chattanooga, and now Santa Fe. Serving as the Director of Community Development for Santa Fe County, I work to preserve and produce affordable housing, increase economic development, advance sustainability, and promote growth in tourism and film.

The opportunity to lead our Community Development Department is an honor. Our team comprises outstanding professionals who work to ensure that Santa Fe County is a leading force in centering the needs of our residents in problem-solving and creating equitable and sustainable growth.

Prior to joining Santa Fe County, I served as the Senior Vice President of Community Development for Partner Tulsa, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager for the City of San Antonio, and a Manager of the Neighborhood Services and Development Division for the City of Chattanooga, as well as Managing Attorney at two law firms. I’m a native of Atlanta, GA, an award-winning community change agent recognized by organizations such as the American Planning Association, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and my alma mater, Emory University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree. I received a Juris Doctorate from American University’s Washington College of Law, and I am a licensed attorney in Georgia and Virginia.

Apply now for Santa Fe County's 2025 Backyard Composting Program!

This program offers free composting systems and hands-on training to residents living in unincorporated areas of Santa Fe County. Participation is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications will be accepted through August 27, 2025. 

On average, one-third of household waste is compostable organic matter. Yard trimmings, food scraps, and other organic materials can be transformed into rich compost that nourishes the soil, boosts plant growth, all while cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the backyard compost program is to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to the landfill while helping community members implement sustainable practices at home.  

“Our backyard composting program empowers residents to take action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from home,” said Santa Fe County Sustainability Manager Jacqueline Beam. “Composting is an easy practice that reduces air pollution, provides vital soil enrichment, conserves water, and supports food security. It’s a winning solution for your garden and our planet.”  

Since 2018, Santa Fe County has partnered with Reunity Resources to administer this program, offering participants personalized guidance and technical support. “We love working with Santa Fe County to help make composting accessible to our community,” says Reunity Resources Program Director Juliana Ciano. “Composting is a tangible, daily act of hope and positive transformation, and this program can help you do it right in your backyard!” 

This program is primarily intended for residents who do not currently compost. However, individuals who already compost may still be eligible, particularly if a new system would enable them to divert more organic waste from landfills. 

How to Apply: 

Residents can apply online or pick up a paper application at the following locations: 

• County Administrative Building 
• County Public Works Complex 
• Edgewood Senior Center 
• Pojoaque Satellite Office 

Applications are available at reception desks. Residents may also download the application from the County website here.  

To learn more about the program and how to apply, please visit the Sustainability Division's website. 

As we welcome a new director for the department, we would also like to extend our gratitude and bid farewell to our fabulous summer intern, Eva Eklund. Eva has been with the Community Development Department since June, through the County's summer internship program for High School students; a reflection on her experience is shared below. We wish her all the best in her next chapter. 

Hello, readers!

I am Eva Eklund, an intern with the Department of Community Development at Santa Fe County. I am excited to have had the opportunity to contribute to this newsletter and apply the skills I acquired at Mandela International Magnet School during this internship, working with the Sustainability and Economic sectors. As my time with the County comes to a close, I look toward the near future. I am thrilled to apply the knowledge I gained this summer toward pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and Wildlife Conservation at Northern Arizona University in the fall.

I have learned so much, from what a typical day in the office is like to its surprising adventures and life lessons. Most notably, I have learned of and been inspired by this department’s significant impact—serving as an invaluable resource to every aspect of Santa Fe County’s businesses, families, growth, and overall unique flair.

Some of my favorite tasks included:

• Designing flyers that advertise Santa Fe County’s target industries, such as outdoor recreation, value-added agriculture, and creative economy.
• Sorting and shredding paper—it’s surprisingly satisfying!
• Writing articles for this newsletter, in which I can express my personal interests and creativity.
• Discovering events around town to share with you.
• Helping with tabling events, where I learned about local businesses and met new people.

I am grateful to have worked alongside people who are so dedicated to the well-being of our community, and I hope other high school students get to experience this for years to come.

Kind regards,

Eva Eklund

It’s summer, a time full of new experiences and spontaneous adventures, large and small. It’s also the perfect time to document these moments while they’re still fresh. Why not take this opportunity to do so with a sustainable twist?

The next time you’re looking for a new hobby or pastime, try to make a “junk journal”. Don’t be taken aback by the name. Junk journals are a type of scrapbook that recycles odds and ends that would otherwise end up in the landfill or the back of a drawer. These unique journals can replace those less personalized, store-bought notebooks, and they can be filled with anything you’d like―from budgeting and math problems to drawings and mementos. They can even be used for writing and journaling, habits that help reduce stress, foster a healthy mindset, and fuel creativity.

Whether you are new to this concept or you know the ins and outs of it, here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

Scrap Paper: Used envelopes are the perfect blank slate, and they double as pockets to store mementos such as concert tickets or Polaroid photos.

Decoration: Add some beads, paper clips, or feathers for cool designs. If you want to make a nature journal, add a fallen leaf or two and draw birds, plants, insects, or clouds. Remember not to disturb the critters or trample the plants!

Bring It All Together: Bind your pages together with glue, ribbon, or yarn. Create a cover from a cereal box and add fabric scraps for an extra touch of flair. Decorate the cover with stickers, pressed flowers, shiny objects, old keys, or pages from an old book. Let your imagination run wild!

Tip: Sew a button to the cover so that you can attach a string and create a journal closure.

With a few touches and some creativity, junk journals can be transformed into beautiful and stylish pieces that are perfect for you. Plus, they make for affordable and thoughtful gifts!

- Eva Eklund, Community Development Department Intern