Director’s Message
Spring 2015
Demis Foster
The Sangre de Cristos are covered with snow early this year – nature’s gift of promise for a year abundant in water. For many of us, the first snow symbolizes a time of profound reflection and a focus on family and loved ones. In New Mexico, it is a time to celebrate the deep connections to our land, communities and long-held traditions.
At CVNM, we have been reflecting on our history, evaluating our programs and engaging in a significant and holistic planning process for 2016. Our team has expanded to 14 expert staffers and has been working closely together to establish our road map to the future.
We have spent the last two years building a skilled and effective legislative team that is preparing for the onslaught of anti-conservation legislation coming our way in the upcoming legislative session. As a full-time force in the Roundhouse we will stand side-by-side with our pro-conservation allies and legislators to defend our air, land, water and all that we hold dear in our Land of Enchantment.
In rural New Mexico, we are deepening our organizing work. We recently launched a program in Rio Arriba County to engage the community around strengthening safeguards against methane pollution and impending oil and gas leases. This program builds on our successful work in McKinley and Cibola counties where we have been collaborating with pueblos, tribes and communities on uranium mining and legacy waste issues, while also building strong local Conservation Action Teams, volunteers who meet regularly and take action collectively on issues impacting them.
In Albuquerque, our dynamic Juntos team is engaging Latino families on energy issues. We have been elevating voices in opposition to PNM’s San Juan Replacement Plan by asking for a plan with more renewable options rather than dirty coal and dangerous nuclear. Currently, they are engaging communities on the need for strong state implementation of the federal Clean Power Plan, which will reduce carbon pollution from power plants and help address climate change.
As CVNM’s family of organizations continues to expand across the state, we are committed to thoughtful growth and sustainability of our staff, who represent our unique communities and the shared conservation values of all New Mexicans. We hope you will continue on this path with us.
Thank you for being a Conservation Voter.
With deepest gratitude –
Demis