Doña Ana County issues proclamations for volunteers, dark skies, bike month and fair housing

The Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners used the April 22 meeting to present and read four proclamations honoring community observances: National Volunteer Week (April 20–26, 2025), International Dark Sky Week (April 21–28, 2025), National Bike Month (May 2025, including Bike to School Week) and Fair Housing Month (April 2025).

County staff and program representatives accepted each proclamation and described local programs. Health and Human Services recognized longtime volunteers who support seven community resource centers and invited volunteers to a reception and certificate presentation. The county read a proclamation honoring the International Dark Sky Association’s goals and invited John Holtzman (Emeritus Professor of Astronomy, New Mexico State University) and Dark Sky chapter representatives to receive the proclamation; the county referenced Doña Ana County Unified Code section 350-405 on public lighting and stated lighting principles to preserve nighttime skies.

For National Bike Month the county highlighted Las Cruces Public Schools’ participation in Safe Routes to School programming, promoted a Family Bike Fiesta held April 29 at Lynn Community Middle School, and encouraged residents to participate in bike‑safety activities. The Fair Housing Month proclamation recalled the Fair Housing Act (April 11, 1968) and noted the Las Cruces Association of Realtors’ work on training and resources; a local association representative accepted the proclamation.

The proclamations are ceremonial recognitions; no policy or budgetary actions were tied to the proclamations during the meeting. Staff encouraged community participation in volunteer receptions, bike‑safety events and Dark Sky outreach.