Looking Ahead: Santa Fe’s Next Generation Water Summit Builds Resilience for an Uncertain Future
Santa Fe’s ongoing commitment to sustainable water use and community resilience is once again taking center stage with the return of the 8th Annual Next Generation Water Summit, set for June 5–6 at the New Mexico State Capitol. Organized with deep community collaboration and expertise, this year’s summit will explore the theme: “Increasing Resilience in an Unpredictable Climate.” Registration is open now at NextGenerationWaterSummit.com, and Santa Fe city and county residents can attend virtually free of charge.
On a recent episode of Save Water Santa Fe, Christine Chavez, the City’s Water Conservation Manager, sat down with longtime water advocate and summit co-founder Doug Pushard to preview the exciting agenda and highlight the Summit’s growing national influence. Also joining the conversation was yours truly, Estevan Gonzales with KSWV Suave Radio, where we’ve been proud to support and broadcast from this vital event over the years.
Pushard, who served over a decade on the city’s Water Conservation Committee and played a key role in launching the Summit, emphasized that this year’s lineup builds on both local relevance and global expertise. “Every year, people ask how we’re going to top the last one,” he said. “But the agenda keeps evolving—stronger speakers, deeper conversations, and more opportunities to collaborate.”
From exploring the cost of water through an energy lens with EPA’s Jonah Schein, to practical workshops on drip irrigation and drought-friendly tree planting, this year’s Summit is designed to meet residents where they are—whether they’re building homes, rethinking landscaping, or shaping policy. Notably, Santa Fe’s updated Green Building Code and its direct impact on remodels and multifamily projects will also be a key topic on the local track.
Among the featured speakers are Laura Allen, a national leader on gray water systems and author of two widely respected books, and Paula Kehoe, who oversees water reuse strategies for the City of San Francisco—one of the country’s most forward-thinking municipalities on sustainable urban water systems.
But the Summit isn’t just about expert panels and keynote presentations. Saturday, June 7, will offer hands-on community workshops, giving residents an opportunity to engage in direct learning experiences—like repairing their irrigation systems or selecting water-wise trees—with trusted local partners like Kelly Nance of Firebird and the City’s Water Conservation Office.
In a poignant close to the broadcast, Chavez and Pushard reflected on the recent loss of Kim Shanahan, a passionate champion for water conservation and green building who helped lay the foundation for what the Summit is today. His legacy will be felt throughout this year’s event and beyond. “Kim pushed us all to do better, think bigger, and care deeper,” Pushard shared.
As the climate continues to shift and water grows more precious, events like the Next Generation Water Summit offer more than just ideas—they offer blueprints for action, connection, and hope.
To learn more, register, or view the full agenda, visit NextGenerationWaterSummit.com.
And for ongoing updates on Santa Fe’s water conservation efforts, visit SaveWaterSantaFe.com.
This week on Save Water Santa Fe, Christine Chavez welcomes Doug Pushard, an influential force in the world of water conservation. As they discuss the approaching Next Generation Water Summit, listeners gain insight into how the summit aims to shape the conversation around water reuse and conservation. From innovative technologies to sustainable planning, explore how this event is crafted to foster collaboration and practical action among attendees. The episode is a tribute to both the past achievements and the promising future of water conservation efforts.
