Santa Fe Conservation Trust
Santa Fe Conservation Trust
The Santa Fe Conservation Trust works to improve everyone's quality of life in and around Santa Fe through our conservation, trails, and community programs that provide more equitable access to nature. Here are some 2022 outcomes:
Land Program — In 2022, we protected 2,200 acres via five conservation easements. This brings total acres protected to over 45,000 acres in three counties, strengthening our resilience to climate change.
Conservation Homestead — Our 300-acre property where we teach land restoration techniques and provide public access via 5 miles of trails.
Trails Program — SFCT created over 75 miles of trails in/around Santa Fe. Trail volunteers donated over 42 work days and 730 hours of labor to maintain them for the City to ensure safe/enjoyable access for all.
Night Sky Protection Program — We have an MOU with Santa Fe County to partner with us to monitor light pollution over Santa Fe. Light pollution negatively impacts plants, wildlife and human health. Data will inform education efforts and help strengthen night sky protection ordinances.
Passport to Trails (field trips for primarily Spanish-speaking kids in south side schools to our dirt trails) — Took 582 kids/teachers/parents on 28 field trips to the Dale Ball trails. Since 2014, 3,836 participants have visited the trails.
Vámonos: Santa Fe Walks (32 free walks after work and on Saturdays) — This program provides equitable access to nature to elders, the Spanish-speaking immigrant community, kids, those who don’t know where to walk, or don’t like to walk alone. Almost 490 people participated.
Safe Routes to School Grant (to encourage kids in the K-8 Santa Fe Public Schools to walk or bike to school) — SFCT instigated 60 walk and roll events for 1,700 participants. Next summer's goal is to have a coordinator in the Santa Fe Public Schools to promote walking and biking to school with City involvement to create better sidewalks, crosswalks, etc. to make it safer for kids to get to school.
_____
The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited nonprofit partners to submit stories related to its April topic of Environment.
League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County
The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County is empowering the next generation of voters through its innovative High School Voter Registration Program. This student-driven initiative trains high schoolers as certified Voter Registration Agents (VRAs), equipping them to register their peers and foster civic leadership. In Fall 2024, nine student VRAs registered 500 new voters through school partnerships, friendly competitions, and mentorship—proving that youth-led outreach can meaningfully boost civic participation. With added focus on media literacy and combating misinformation, this program goes beyond registration to build informed, engaged citizens. By uniting students, educators, and community leaders, LWVSFC is laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive democracy.
College and Career Plaza
College and Career Plaza ensures that students in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico graduate with a vision and a plan for the future. Alliyah Noor, Executive Director of College and Career Plaza, shares the importance of early guidance for future goals.
New Mexico Wild
New Mexico Wild, alongside a diverse coalition of stakeholders, helped secure a crucial protection that will temporarily shield vital tributaries and headwaters in Santa Fe and San Miguel counties while federal agencies study the possibility of extending protections for 20 years.
