Strengthen
Soil Health
- Composting
- Erosion, cover & thermal regulation
- Carbon sequestration
- Fungi and nitrogen fixers
Composting, fungi, forming and soil sponges:
Simple solutions to big problems are sometimes overlooked when trying to overcome challenges. Composting is one of these solutions! Approximately 22% of the material in landfills is food waste and 12% is yard trimmings, both of which are excellent for making compost. Instead of sending these wastes to the landfill, make them a gourmet delight for your garden or neighborhood trees. Santa Fe County provides a limited number of composting systems at no cost to Santa Fe County residents. Choose between a straw bale system or black plastic bin. Each system includes tools, training, and installation. Santa Fe County Backyard Composting Applications available in early spring.
No need to wait though! One needn’t apply to the County’s program to compost on their own or perhaps you are well on your way already! Fungi provides invaluable nutrient and communication pathways for soil to develop root systems to grow healthy and strong. Pour over concoctions are available or inject mycorrhizae plugs into logs and bury in the soil.
Conserve and preserve existing habitat
Level 1
30% of plantable space, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Accomplishment of 60 point score on best practices check list items of native plantings, canopy, land stewardship and firescaping.
Level 2
50% of plantable space, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Accomplishment of 75 point score on best practices check list items of native plantings, canopy, land stewardship and firescaping with an average of one native plant per square foot, and minimum of ten native species.
Level 3
70% of plantable space, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Accomplishment of 90 point score on best practices check list items of native plantings, canopy, land stewardship and firescaping with an average of one native plant per square foot and eleven+ native species.
