Santa Fe Watershed Association urges residents to learn about, help care for Santa Fe River watershed

Laurie Hensley, executive director of the Santa Fe Watershed Association, urged residents to learn about and help care for the Santa Fe River watershed, highlighting the group's "Love Your Watershed Day" and its move to spring to coincide with seasonal flows.

Hensley said the Santa Fe River watershed is the land area that drains to the Santa Fe River and described the river as an important water supply for the city. She tied the current event to earlier work on river protections, noting the effort began as "Love Your River Day" during the time the Living River Ordinance was being considered and that the group now schedules the event in spring "to celebrate the spring flows when and if they happen."

"Love your watershed day is an opportunity for us to come together to celebrate the common ground beneath our feet and the shared water that flows through our veins," Hensley said, calling the event a chance for residents to give back to the river and watershed. She said this is the association's third year running the event.

Hensley listed ways residents can participate, including youth education, river and arroyo cleanups, stewardship workshops and advocacy opportunities. "The most important thing you can do is learn more about the watershed and care about it," she said, and she encouraged people to visit the Watershed Association's website to learn about programs and volunteer opportunities.

Hensley also framed the event in cultural terms, referencing Las Limpias, the traditional cleaning of waterways, as part of the rationale for timing the day in spring. She emphasized learning where local water comes from and where it goes as central actions residents can take to support watershed health.

No formal board action, vote or policy change was announced during the remarks; Hensley presented the event and the association's programs for community participation and education.