A special thanks and celebratory New Year, "Hip-Hip-Hurray!” to all of the many NGOs that contribute to the health of our planet and community by focusing their efforts on increasing the resiliency and biodiversity of our local ecosystems. The proof of this important work is all around us and can be seen in our everyday lives. Yet, NGOs also positively contribute to a community’s economy. The Council of Nonprofits report that nonprofits employ 12.3 million people, and their payrolls are larger than most U.S. industries such as construction and transportation--even finance.

There are 75 environmental organizations in the Santa Fe area which employ 377 people and bring in $29 million in revenue annually. The County relies on many of the vital services provided by a number of NGO organizations to supplement staff and cross pollinate in climate action goals and efforts. A few of the highlights of projects that have been focused upon this past year include the backyard composting program with Reunity Resources and watershed clean up and planting with the Santa Fe Watershed Association, as well as much needed Open Spaces conservation and maintenance with the Santa Fe Botanical Garden’s Master Naturalists volunteer group. In 2025, consider helping NGOs to continue their work by donating or volunteering. Following your earth caring passions through action makes a positive difference and is a fun, community strengthening way to learn more about stewarding our unique and valuable flora and fauna, habitats, and climate.

Happy New Year and happy giving back to the nature that holds, nurtures and feeds us all!

It’s that time of year when drafty means uncomfortable! Luckily there are a number of weatherization projects that can be completed within an afternoon and at minimal expense, while producing sizeable energy and cost savings.

Door Sweeps and Weather Stripping

Depending on your home type, heating and cooling can account for over 50% of annual energy use. Gaps in your home’s thermal envelope, such as door and window air leaks, waste significant energy. [1] One of the most straightforward energy and money-saving tasks is to caulk, seal, and weather strip these air leaks. Suppose you don’t want to complete a professional home energy audit. The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends using a lit incense stick or smoke pen to test your home for air tightness. On a windy day, hold the incense next to your doors, windows, electrical outlets, and other locations where air may leak, and watch to see if the smoke travels horizontally. If so, you’ve likely identified an air leak. Leakage often occurs where different materials meet, such as intersections between brick and wood siding or between the foundation and walls.

Door sweeps can be installed at the bottom of your door to prevent leakage, while weather stripping can be installed within the frames of doors and windows. Caulk can be used to seal leaks around plumbing, ducts, and baseboards, and foam gaskets can insulate outlet and switch plates. The DOE and New Mexico Gas Company provide great resources for completing these improvements, and most activities can be completed in as little as one hour.

Even before rebates, actions to reduce air leakage often pay for themselves in as little as one year through reduced energy costs. [2] If you are an NM Gas Company customer, sign up for a free Energy and Water Savings kit. This kit includes weather stripping and a door sweep, along with high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators.

Smart Thermostats

Installing a smart thermostat offers another simple and effective way to reduce energy costs. Unlike traditional programmable thermostats, smart thermostats automatically operate the home’s heating and cooling systems based on preferences, occupancy, and weather conditions. Once a smart thermostat learns household patterns, such as when the house is unoccupied or the occupant’s sleep schedules, it will automatically lower temperatures to match the usage need patterns. Many models utilize motion sensors or geofencing to detect usage needs further. It can even pre-heat the home before household members arrive. Before rebates, smart thermostats cost between $100 and $250 and, on average, reduce energy costs by 8% annually, paying for themselves in as little as 1 to 3 years. [3]

While the installation process differs depending on a household’s existing system and the smart thermostat purchased, homeowners can often complete the installation themselves without the need to hire an electrician.

NM Gas Company provides a $50 point-of-sale rebate for smart thermostats. Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative members receive an additional $25 mail-in rebate. PNM customers qualify for the PNM Power Saver Program for free thermostats and installation and are paid to participate. PNM Power Saver is a demand response program that reduces peak electricity usage in the summer months. To participate, subscribers must own the heat pump or central AC system. PNM then automatically manages the home’s cooling system for participants during power-saving periods. Power saver periods only occur on weekdays between 1 PM and 8 PM between June 1st and September 30th.[4] home temperatures may rise a few degrees; however, cooling systems will remain in operation. As an incentive for participating in the program, homeowners receive a one-time $75 sign-up bonus along with a $25 check each participating year.

Opportunities for Low-Income Homeowners

Low-income households receive additional opportunities for home energy efficiency and rehabilitation improvements at little or no cost. PNM customers qualify for a free PNM Home Energy Checkup. During the checkup, a technician conducts an energy assessment of the home and provides free energy-saving products such as weather stripping, door sweeps, and LED lightbulbs. The NM Mortgage Finance Authority Energy$mart program is available to provide extensive weatherization improvements to qualifying households. To date, the MFA program has weatherized over 10,000 homes, achieving on average a 27% reduction in energy use and annual utility savings between $210 and $250 per year. [5] Finally, the Santa Fe County Home Rehabilitation and Energy Efficiency (HREE) program provides one-time grants up to $50,000 to qualified households to complete a range of home rehabilitation and energy efficiency improvements from repairing roofs, stucco and windows, remediating hazards such as mold or lead paint or replacing HVAC systems. As a complement to this program, Santa Fe County will soon launch the Community Energy Efficiency Development Block Grant (CEED) program, providing further opportunities to reduce utility costs by installing energy efficiency upgrades.

When starting a new habit or making a new resolution, the best approach is often to start small. Improving the energy efficiency of the home you own or rent does not need to be difficult, time-consuming, or costly. With these simple weatherization projects and available assistance programs, everyone can make meaningful improvements that will continue to benefit both comfort and your wallet during the year ahead.

As we embrace the holiday season and prepare to welcome 2025, it’s a time for reflection and setting goals for the year ahead. While many of us focus our New Year’s resolutions on personal growth—mental and physical well-being, career achievements, or strengthening relationships—it’s worth adding one more: improving our reduction and recycling habits. After all, the health of our planet profoundly affects our own well-being. By reducing waste and keeping our environment cleaner, we not only support our physical and mental health but also foster stronger community connections and healthier practices from which we all benefit—one of the many reasons Santa Fe County offers the Adopt-A Road program and the Backyard Composting program.

Unfortunately, the County and City’s recycling rates hover between 16-17%, quite a bit lower than the national average of 32%. A lot of additional “stuff” is added to the waste stream during this time of year which doesn’t help those numbers. Increasing our vigilance and scrutiny by checking items before purchase is essential, however, that isn’t always easy to do when we receive gifts and packaging. Gift wrapping materials come in many shapes and sizes and are not always recyclable. There are multiple tests that can be utilized to determine if the wrapping paper is recyclable (paper) or plastic. Often the crunch test is used and is explained in more detail here. An easy way to be more sustainable and mitigate any trash build up, is by reusing boxes or bags that can be used multiple times for years to come. Christmas trees can be recycled by chipping for mulch, chopping up for firewood, or dropping off at BuRRT.

Many of us will be receiving new clothes and accessory items to replace some older pieces. Taking unneeded clothing to thrift stores and reuse locations helps others in need and can be a great write off for taxes. Another idea, much like the Recycled Trash Fashion Show demonstrates every year, for more creativity and DIY fun, is to turn the unwearable clothing and/or accessories into reusable textile pieces for one of a kind, self-made clothing, homeware items, or art.

Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency focuses their efforts on items that can be recycled by providing a helpful tip list here. Also contained within the Public Works Solid Waste page is a Recycling Information section with more detailed resources and helpful tools. The Sustainability Division’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle pages are also chock full of waste reduction information. Reducing waste while increasing recycling rates in our waste stream starts with each one of us. When each of us recycles everything correctly, collectively it is significant and improves the metrics at a grand scale.

So, as we face a new chapter together in year 2025, thank you Santa Fe County for all that you do in your everyday practices to reduce waste and increase recycling to create a cleaner environment together!