The Santa Fe Watershed Association invites you to the second annual Watershed Fest!

This year’s celebration is a unique blend of fun, educational, and meaningful activities. There’s something for everyone, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.

All events are free and open to the public, made possible by our amazing sponsors and community partners, so please bring a loved one and spread the word.

See you around the watershed this September 20-26

SFWA Legacy Walk & Talk at San Isidro Park | Friday, September 20, 4-5:30 p.m.

It’s easy to forget that just a few short decades ago the stretch of the Santa Fe River between San Isidro and Romero Parks was a trash-filled, incised flood hazard about to be paved. Learn about the years of hard work and determined dreaming of SFWA founder Paige Grant and SFWA’s incredible community partners that made this reach a refuge of riparian life against all odds. Bring your tissues! Space is limited; please RSVP.

Day of Awesome at La Farge Library | Saturday, September 21

A day of stewardship, art, and joy at the local library. What could be more awesome than that? Plus, free donuts and coffee courtesy of the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Elm Thinning Workshop & Arroyo Cleanup, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (Space is limited; please RSVP) Take part in an elm thinning workshop and cleanup along Arroyo de los Pinos. Aaron Kauffman of Southwest Urban Hydrology will teach you how to properly thin overgrown elms to improve visibility, access, and riparian health. By the way, this arroyo is a great spot to clean up if you’re looking to participate in Keep Santa Fe Beautiful’s city-wide cleanup event, Toss No Mass!

Recycled Art Party, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. From newspaper hats to bottle cap masterpieces, give a second life to materials that would have gone in the trash!

“Know Your Litter”, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. When it comes to litter prevention, information is power. Sarah Pierpont, the executive director of the New Mexico Recycling Coalition, will teach you how to conduct brand and category audits to help inform strategies for reducing litter, to hold producers and manufacturers responsible for their products, and to advocate for policies that promote sustainable practices.

Interactive Watershed Simulation, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ooh, ahh, learn, and play with Simtable’s digital sand table of our beloved Santa Fe Watershed.

Want to help out with the Day of Awesome? We’re looking for volunteers! Sign up!

Film Night & Discussion at the Center for Contemporary Arts | Monday, September 23, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy films that inspire conservation of our natural resources and our special places, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and a brief reception. This event is free or by donation. Reserve your tickets early by clicking here.

Featuring:

Reusable Rainstorms (4 min) from Amy Biehl Community School, winner of the Outstanding Entry for Elementary School prize from CAVU’s 2024 Climate Innovation Challenge

New Mexico’s Acequias (5 min) from Littleglobe Production

Water Can’t Wait (5 min) from Water Can’t Wait and the Water Foundation

However Wide the Sky: Places of Power (57 min) from Silverbullet Productions

Springs of Life: Wonderful Wetlands of La Cienega | Thursday, September 26, 9 – 11 a.m.

Explore the geology, hydrology, ecology, and biodiversity of Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve, led by naturalist Ben Shulman of Santa Fe Nature Guiding. Dive into the story of the wetlands, how it all connects to climate change in New Mexico, and what we can do to make life in our corner of the world sustainable into the future.

Although the tour is currently full, you can email Amara May at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

Watershedders Happy Hour | Thursday, September 26, 4:30 – 7 pm

Cap off Watershed Fest with a toast to our watershed! Connect with the SFWA team and fellow Watershedders at Tumbleroot’s Agua Fria Taproom + Music Venue on 2791 Agua Fria Street. Cheers!