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January 2026 Newsletter
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Start the New Year with Increased Energy Efficiency
Happy 2026! It’s been warmer than usual this holiday; however, lower temperatures areforecasted for thenext few months, and the unusually high temperatures will quickly become a distant memory. We depend upon cozy, warm homes to provide the basic comforts and necessities of shelter for survival and well-being. Unfortunately, poor energy efficiency can make this important warmth come at a steep cost. Homes and commercial buildings account for 40% of energy consumption in the United States, and for every $2,000 annual expenditure, $200 to $400 could be wasted simply due to drafts, air leaks around openings, and outdated heating and cooling systems. For many households, particularly those in frontline communities, energy bills can consume 16-20% of a family's income, forcing difficult trade-offs between warmth, food, and medicine. However, simple energy-efficiency upgrades like insulation, appliance replacement, and ventilation repair can deliver real benefits in both comfort and cost. These straightforward strategies are especially important for low-income households and are covered through the State’s Community Energy Efficiency Development (CEED) program. The County is rolling out the energy efficiency program for low-income households, which once screened for eligibility, may receive up to $16,000 in weatherizationand appliance improvements to substantially lower utility bills while making homes more comfortable and climate friendly.
There are a variety of other programs available through the County, such as the Home Rehabilitation and Energy Efficiency Program (HREE), for low-income households located in the unincorporated areas of the County. While HREE focuses on improvements to structural integrity and safety concerns, CEED focuses upon lowering energy costs. For questions about CEED eligibility and criteria, reach out to the Sustainability team at sustainability@santafecountynm.gov.
The flyer below outlines additional rebates, energy-saving programs, and financial assistance options for the surrounding communities in our region. A Spanish version of the flyer is available here. Learn more on the Coalition of Sustainable Communities Resilient Homes New Mexico webpage, which is part of a new statewide storytelling campaign highlighting the power of residential energy efficiency.
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Forth Mobility Electric Car-Share Program
Santa Fe County continues to partner with Forth Mobility to provide an electric vehicle car-share program that expands access to clean, affordable transportation. Through the MDO Carshare app, community members can reserve a low-cost electric vehicle for everyday trips via a simple, easy-to-use car-sharing platform.
Electric vehicles are available at the Camino de Jacobo and Valle Vista public housing complexes, and both residents and members of the broader Santa Fe community can rent them for $5 per hour or $50 per day. The electric vehicle shown on the right is a Chevrolet Bolt that is available through this program.
The initial onboarding process for those who would like to participate in this program is outlined below for first-time EV car-share drivers:
Download the MDO Carshare App from the App Store or Google Play. Accounts or bookings can also be created in a web browser.
Register Your Account: Enter your driver’s license and make bookings with a credit, debit, or prepaid card. When registering, a one-time $10 fee will be charged to your payment card. Once approved, a $20 first-time ride credit welcomes new drivers to their accounts and can be used right away. It may take 3-5 business days to process applications.
Onboarding Call: Registered GoForth drivers receive an email to schedule a call with a staff member (about 20 minutes).
Reserve the vehicle through the MDO Carshare app for a time you’d like to use the vehicle.
Unlock the vehicle with the MDO Carshare app and drive.*
Return the vehicle to the parking spot after your trip and plug it in.*
*View the in-car instructions sheet for more details.
Once the initial registration process is complete, GoForth drivers will find the reservation process to be streamlined and efficient!
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What Can I Do?
Recycle Your Christmas Tree!
If your Christmas tree is still lingering in your living room, consider recycling it at the Buckman Road Recycling & Transfer Station. Santa Fe County residents can drop off their trees for free until January 19, 2026. Please remove all lights, ornaments, artificial snow, tree stands, and other decorations.
Recycling your Christmas tree allows it to be transformed into mulch, which can improve soil health, increase water retention, and provide nutrients for plants. Christmas trees are mulched on-site, and you can take home up to one cubic yard of mulch from the Buckman facility for free. Larger quantities of mulch are also available for $6 per cubic yard.
Other than specified holidays, the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Station is open seven days a week from 8 am until 4:45 pm.
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Our January Event Picks
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Thursday, January 8
10:30 - 11:30 am
The Seeds & Sprouts program at the Santa Fe Children's Museum provides an opportunity for kids to explore hands-on gardening and nature-themed activities year-round. This weekly program takes place on Thursdays, but the museum will be closed on January 1 for New Year's Day.
Seeds & Sprouts participation is included in museum admission and no registration is required. Admission is free for members and ranges from $8-$12.50 for New Mexico residents and $8-$14.50 for out-of-state residents.
Learn More Here
Saturday, January 17
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Learn how biochar can improve soil health, retain moisture, and support sustainable land practices. This hands-on workshop will introduce the science behind biochar, demonstrate safe production methods, and explore practical ways to use it in gardens and landscapes.
This free event is hosted by the City of Albuquerque and will be held at their Open Space Visitor Center.
Learn More Here
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Thursday, January 8
6:00 - 7:45 pm
Enjoy the opening reception for Wendy Stein's photography exhibit titled "Wildlife Photos... Mostly Birds", which will be held in the second floor art gallery of the Santa Fe Public Library. You can view a selection of her work here.
Wendy will also be joined by local author Janie Chodosh for a "Get to Know Local Birds" presentation in the community room from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on January 29 .
Both of these free events will be held at the main branch of Santa Fe Public Library.
Learn More Here
Friday, January 23
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunflower: History, Culture, and Evolution invites audiences to look beyond the familiar bloom to discover sunflowers as powerful plants of food, ceremony, art, and science, shaped over millennia by human relationships and natural selection. As part of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden’s Plants and People Program, this talk by Thomas M. Antonio, Ph.D., draws on Indigenous perspectives and evolutionary insight to reveal why sunflowers continue to matter today. Admission is $15.
Register Here
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Wednesday, January 14
10:30 - 11:15 am
Join Miss Kanah from the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary for a special nature-themed storytime followed by a hands-on craft activity. This storytime is geared especially towards preschoolers and kindergarteners, although kids of all ages are welcome!
This free event will take place at the La Farge Library, and there will be similar Audubon Storytime & Craft events at various library locations later in January and February.
Learn More Here
Thursday, January 29
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
The numbers are in! Join the Xerces Society for an overview of the 2025 Western Monarch Count, which provides vital insight into the status of migratory western monarchs. Tune in to hear key findings from the overwintering season, including count totals, volunteer participation, population trends, factors influencing this year’s numbers, and notable conservation wins in 2025.
Register for this free webinar to receive a Zoom link.
Register Here
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Sharing
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Sustainability Questions?
We are your local advisors on all things sustainability in Santa Fe County.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Jacqueline Beam, jybeam@santafecountynm.gov
Will Donahoo, wdonahoo@santafecountynm.gov
Elizabeth Houghton, ehoughton@santafecountynm.gov
Click to visit the Sustainability webpage
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