City of Santa Fe, NM

07/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/22/2024 16:43

Fourth Annual Santa Fe River Talks Flow in Fall

The Santa Fe River and Watershed Section will sponsor a series of free lectures on matters about the Santa Fe watershed. These will happen in September and October.

Scheduled tours and talks include:

Reese Baker, The Rain Catcher LLC: (Southside Library, 6 pm Wednesday, September 4)

The Use of Fungi in the Bioremediation of Stormwater: Urban stormwater runoff is laden with a wide array of environmental toxins and pollutants The capture of this runoff in rain gardens represents a regenerative strategy to rehabilitate the hydrological elements of ecosystems and possesses the ability to eliminate organic pollutants from the water through the biological processes of fungi.

Rich Rotto, PE AECOM: (Santa Fe River/San Ysidro Crossing, 9:30 am Saturday, September 7) Santa Fe River Trail Expansion: Walk along what will be the newest section of River Trail. Meet at San Ysidro Crossing Trailhead and walk upstream to Siler Bridge to discuss onsite the location of the new trail, the engineering hurdles, learn about the planned restoration and allow time for questions.

Matt Sandoval, BDD Advanced Water Treatment Operator: (Buckman Direct Diversion, Saturday, September 18, 9:30 am) From the Rio to the Tap: Plan on 2.5 hours if we head down to the river. If we just do the presentation and BDD facility tour that will take 1-1.5 hours. All should wear sturdy hiking or walking shoes, sunglasses, jacket if it's rainy. Let us know if anyone isn't able to go up stairwells, walk on uneven terrain; we'll try to accommodate if we can. Personal vehicles should be 4-wheel drive and have clearance for bumpy roads.

Santa Fe Watershed Association Fall Festival: (LaFarge Library, 9:30 am Saturday, September 21) As part of SFWA's Watershed Fest, take part in an elm thinning workshop and cleanup along Arroyo de los Pinos near La Farge Library. Learn how to properly thin overgrown elms to improve visibility, access, and riparian health. Meet in the library parking lot. Bring close-toed shoes, sun protection, and water. Workshop led by Aaron Kauffman of Southwest Urban Hydrology. Click here to register for this event.

Lauren Price, Botanist Bureau of Land Management: (Southside Library, 6 pm Wednesday, October 2): Plant Communities of the Santa Fe River Watershed: Learn about plant communities of the Santa Fe River Watershed and how they shape our watershed. Learn why our watershed is unique and perfectly suited for these well adapted plant communities.

Julie Hasty, Education Outreach Coordinator, Santa Fe Watershed Association: (Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary, 9 am Saturday, October 5) This tour is an opportunity to learn about the restoration efforts and catch a glimpse of this nearly pristine forest that supplies about 30% of the City's drinking water supply.

Pat Smyth, GIS Specialist and Programmer, 2ndNature (Main Library, 6 pm Wednesday, October 9) Embrace the Rain for Climate Change will highlight the stormwater modeling we've done at 2NDNATURE for Santa Fe that shows a baseline of about 3,500+ afy of stormwater runoff annually. The implementation of green infrastructure and stormwater asset management in the city is enhancing runoff infiltration and vital groundwater recharge. It also ensures compliance with MS4 regulations and advances the permit's essential minimum control measures through the application of science-driven methods and models.

All events require registration. Click here to register.