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December 2025 Newsletter
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Community Solar is here to stay, thanks to the Community Solar Act (SB 84) signed into law in April of 2021. Many projects are now kicking off to help households and organizations throughout New Mexico directly benefit as soon as 2026. Individuals or organizations can sign up as subscribers to the projects, which provide utility savings and renewable sourcing of electricity, regardless of income or building ownership.
Following the trajectory of the Community Solar Act's evolution, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) originally required 30% of the energy from each project to serve low-income households and low-income serving organizations. Yet, currently, the 45 planned and approved solar farms existing or coming online soon, have all committed to:
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Allocate at least 50% capacity to low-income subscribers.
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Have no upfront costs, early termination fees, or credit checks for low-income subscribers.
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Offer discounts to low-income subscribers of an additional 20-30% of the solar bill credit, for at least five years.
To learn more, join online for the Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico (CSCNM) presentation and informational session on December 4th, from 6-7 pm, which will focus on how New Mexico’s Community Solar Program can benefit income-qualified households. The presentation will address financial savings, income qualifications, and consumer protections, and will also provide an opportunity for Q&A. For more details about the information session, click here and register here to join the CSCNM community solar informational session.
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Support the many educational services provided through the Santa Fe Botanical Garden nonprofit organization and enjoy the magic of La Luz de las Noches this season, returning to the Garden from December 18-31! Dazzling holiday lights and farolitos transform the garden, illuminating pathways and creating a festive atmosphere for enjoying live music, drinks, light bites, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Perfect for family gatherings, a night out with friends, or a cozy date under the stars, La Luz is an unforgettable winter event you won’t want to miss. Complimentary hot chocolate, cider, and cookies will be available to warm and delight you, and Laura Nunez of Nunez Catering and As Above So Below Distillery will be serving delectable treats and tasty beverages for purchase on select nights. Throughout the event, you can enjoy live music from featured artists like Alma, Jacob Shije Trio, The Young Voices of Santa Fe Opera, and Rachel Kelli, as well as discover handcrafted works from local Native American artists that are perfect for holiday gifts. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance on December 20-23.
La Luz is open from 4:30 to 7:30 pm nightly, and adult admission is $25 for members and $29.95 for non-members. Youth admission is $8 for members and $9.95 for nonmembers, and children 5 and under enter free. Learn more about the event here.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the "Santa Fe County Water: Today and Tomorrow" forum series! These events, held in October and November, provided a space for community members to learn, discuss, and share input on water use and long-term water planning in Santa Fe County.
Subject matter experts in Growth Management, Public Works Departments, and the Sustainability Division presented on the following key topics:
- Planning tools for sustainable growth and code compliance.
- Resources and Programs supporting rural water systems, acequias, and conservation.
- Collaboration with City, State, Tribal, and community partners.
- Q&A, as well as next steps and ongoing discussion on the County’s water future.
All presentations, submitted questions, and recordings of the forums are publicly available on the Santa Fe County website.
What Can I Do?
Take a sustainable approach to gift wrapping!
Beautifully wrapped gifts can bring joy to many a holiday gathering, but they can also result in a pile of shiny, colorful trash that can't be recycled. Indeed, the United States produces 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper every year, and half of that (approximately 2.3 million pounds) winds up in landfills. However, there are ways to align your gifts with environmental values while maintaining aesthetic standards for holiday presents.
Fabric wrapping for gifts, also known as “furoshiki” in Japan, can offer beautiful colors and textures with an unexpected twist, as you can see in the image above. These lovely squares of fabric can be reused again and again, as can more traditional wrapping options like cloth gift bags, ribbons, and bows.
Save those gift bags for next year and the year after! Unfortunately, paper with a glossy, glittery, metallic, or textured coating cannot be recycled, yet there are some great alternatives available. Wrapping paper that is specifically labelled as “recyclable," unwaxed paper, and craft paper are all great options, and colorful ribbons can brighten up the plainest of them all. Look for recycled gift wrap, FSC-certified paper, or soy-based inks for more eco-friendly options. Clear plastic tape is not recyclable and can contaminate otherwise recyclable paper, but glue can easily be used as an alternative in many gift-wrapping scenarios. There are also special paper-based tape options that are recyclable, including some with beautiful patterns. As a special touch, you can also consider adding sprigs of greenery like holly, spruce, or juniper to your holiday gifts. Learn more about eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas here.
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Our December Event Picks
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Wednesday, December 3
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Join NM Healthy Soil Working Group for a live microscopy session as we take a deep dive into the wild world of creatures inhabiting the soil beneath our feet. Too small to see with the naked eye, soil organisms nonetheless have a massive impact on our lives: the food we eat, the atmosphere we breathe, and the land we care for are all shaped by a diverse array of critters living underground.
In this webinar, you will get to know some of these tiny organisms by looking at their morphology and learning about their role in the soil food web.
Register Here
Wednesday, December 10
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Stop by the monthly nature pop-up booth for teens, hosted by the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary and Santa Fe Public Libraries!
Each month, teens are invited to explore something new: whether by nurturing their mental health through nature-centered art, learning about the crossroads between drone photography and habitat conservation, or meeting a bird of prey from the Santa Fe Raptor Center, teens are welcome to be curious and creative. This free event takes place from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in the LaFarge Library Lobby.
Learn More Here
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Thursday, December 4
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Enjoy an enchanting night of craft, comfort, and conversation beneath the December full moon at Beastly Books with a Sashiko bookmark stitching tutorial. Everything you need will be provided— from materials to a few extra surprises—so all you have to do is settle in, stitch, sip, and enjoy the cozy glow of the shop after hours.
Your ticket includes cider, hot chocolate, and cookies to keep you company while you create, along with some special discounts. Advanced registration is required, and admission is $20.
Learn More Here
Friday, December 12
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Do you love the look and smell of fresh pine and juniper décor during the holidays? Come make your very own holiday wreath from natural materials at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden! All materials will be provided, including the frame, wire, greenery (pine and juniper), ribbon, pinecones, and additional natural accents. Advanced registration is required, and admission is $75 for members and $60 for non-members.
Learn More Here
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Saturday, December 6
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Visit the La Farge Library for a relaxing afternoon making Christmas cards. There will be a variety of specialty papers, cardstock, stamps, cutouts, scrapbooking supplies and more available to make your holiday visions come to life. Hot cocoa will also be provided.
This free event will be held in the Community Room and is part of the monthly Family Crafternoon event series. It is designed with children in mind.
Learn More Here
Wednesday, December 24
5:00 - 9:00 pm
One of Santa Fe’s most beloved holiday traditions, the Farolito Walk on Canyon Road provides an evening of holiday magic for the thousands who stroll the iconic road on Christmas Eve. Known for world class galleries, Canyon Road transforms itself into a work of art during this unique annual celebration. Many businesses are closed on Christmas Eve, but some remain open for last minute shoppers and offer a place to warm up. Be sure to dress warmly, and bring the whole family to this festive holiday event.
Learn More Here
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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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