A New Chapter for Sustainability in Santa Fe
Santa Fe’s environmental efforts are entering a new phase with the formal launch of the City’s Conservation and Sustainability Division and the hiring of a new Sustainability Supervisor to help lead it forward.
On a recent episode of Save Water Santa Fe, Christine Chavez, Director of the City of Santa Fe’s Conservation and Sustainability Division, introduced Dr. Erica Renaud to listeners and reflected on the hiring process.
Dr. Renaud, who has lived in Chimayó for more than 20 years, brings extensive experience in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
“I’ve been living in Chimayo for the last over 20 years now, focusing on sustainable agriculture and local and global food systems and food security,” Renaud said. “But I was always working internationally. I was being called to work in different countries and different parts of the world internationally to manifest some of these projects.”
Over time, she said, her focus shifted closer to home.
“I always felt like I wanted to work closer to home and have a bigger impact on my community,” she said. “And so when I saw this opportunity posted, I got really excited about the opportunity to explore sustainable food systems and energy and other aspects of the sustainability agenda in Santa Fe.”
She added, “I really was excited to bring my skills and my passion for local and community development to this job.”
Linking Sustainability and Equity
One of the division’s early initiatives is a $1.25 million Seed Grant aimed at energy-efficiency retrofits for low-income households.
“I really love the fact that there is a correlation in this work exploring sustainability and how it directly correlates to social equity and community upliftment,” Renaud said. “In the case of the seed grant in particular, what is really interesting is that you’re looking at ways to contribute to sustainable energy use and retrofitting as it correlates to underserved or populations in the community.”
She also pointed to collaboration across the state.
“We heard from other sustainability groups in, you know, Las Cruces and Taos and Bernalillo, et cetera, and how they’re manifesting this grant,” she said. “So there’s a great opportunity for learning.”
Reexamining the City’s Sustainability Plan
The division’s work builds on Santa Fe’s 25-year Sustainability Plan, adopted in 2018.
“I think the plan is really impressive,” Renaud said. “There’s so much complexity to it and so much analysis and community input that went into developing it.”
“I think it is a major issue that we evaluate the plan and how we can be most impactful for the city,” she added. “Where are the areas where there are programs that are existing that we can expand and explore more profoundly? And then where are there opportunities that we can have the greatest amount of impact on overall sustainability?”
Inviting Public Participation
As the division takes shape, Renaud encouraged residents to engage.
“This is a new department. And this is a new initiative,” she said. “And I just really encourage the listenership to please provide comments and inputs on how you see how this department can contribute to sustainability in our city and how the community can be involved and wants to be involved in the process.”
“I am excited and this is a great opportunity for us.”
On a recent episode of Save Water Santa Fe, Christine Chavez, Director of the City of Santa Fe’s Conservation and Sustainability Division, introduced Dr. Erica Renaud, the City’s Sustainability Supervisor. Dr. Renaud brings more than 20 years of experience in sustainable agriculture and community development to the role. The discussion highlighted the priorities of the evolving Conservation and Sustainability Division and how Dr. Renaud’s background will support Santa Fe’s long-term environmental and climate goals.
