Western Resource Advocates
Western Resource Advocates
Western Resource Advocates (WRA) fights climate change to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. Our team of policy experts in New Mexico works with local communities and decision-makers to preserve the state’s precious land and water resources.
Last month, WRA and its partners celebrated Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signing of Senate Bill 9, establishing the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund – the single largest land and water conservation investment in New Mexico history. The approved state budget included a $100 million appropriation for the fund, which will invest in existing state programs and unlock access to significant available matching federal funds that have been historically left on the table.
“Recent catastrophic and devastating wildfires have shined a bright light on our state’s need to invest in landscape and community resilience,” said Jonathan Hayden, western lands senior policy analyst with WRA.
“The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund is the kind of investment New Mexico needs to ensure the health of our forests, watersheds, and the communities that rely on them. By making this investment, our elected leaders have cemented their commitment to land and water stewardship and have allowed us – for the first time – to access millions of federal dollars available to protect our lands, waters, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Now we can begin the hard work needed to ensure a healthy environment for future generations.”
Over the past five years, WRA has worked to secure conservation funding by driving a unified plan of action with our coalition partners, crafting bill language, and finding consensus between diverse stakeholders. Going forward, WRA will advocate for the full funding necessary to ensure the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund’s long-lasting impact and preserve New Mexico’s ecological, cultural, and economic future.
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The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited nonprofit partners to submit stories related to its April topic of Environment.
Silver Bullet Productions
Chama Valley Arts cultivates creativity, learning, and community through arts and culture. They collaborate with local schools, offer youth and adult classes, camps at their arts center, and are opening a new pottery studio.
Nat Gold Players
Years ago, when Nat Gold Players first started its partnership with the local Masonic Lodge to turn their historic building into a premier Halloween Haunted House, it was a fundraiser for both organizations. It would become far more for the community and for the participants.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
The Lensic Performing Arts Center is Santa Fe’s year-round home for the performing arts and New Mexico’s largest performing arts education provider, reaching 13,000 students annually. The Lensic also programs events throughout New Mexico as Lensic 360, including 50+ free events with the annual Santa Fe Summer Scene program.
