On Saturday, May 10, the Santa Fe Watershed Association and the city of Santa Fe will host the third annual Love Your Watershed Day at De Vargas Park — a day dedicated to celebrating the Santa Fe River Watershed and the importance of caring for the places that care for us.
Whether you’re a lifelong environmental advocate or just looking for ways to get involved, there’s something for everyone. Local environmental and educational organizations will be hosting interactive booths with activities that showcase their missions and the important role they play in protecting our watershed.
For those who want to get their hands dirty (in a good way!), our friends at Trash Pandas and the Rotary Club of Santa Fe will lead a cleanup of the river stretch that runs along the park. It’s a perfect chance to pitch in and make a tangible difference in our environment. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy wonderful live music performances by local bands Lone Piñon and Repurposed Vibe.
Whether we realize it, our watershed connects us all. Love Your Watershed Day honors this connection and how every person has a role to play in protecting our environment. Recently, I had the privilege of helping organize a cleanup with first-time river steward Marie Lindberg, a resident of the Agua Fria neighborhood. At that cleanup, Marie’s team of friends and other fellow volunteers removed 39 bags of litter from the Santa Fe River. Their spirit and dedication are a perfect example of how simple actions create a ripple effect.
Marie shared, “I know that times are difficult right now. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face, but that’s why coming together like this is so important. Taking action, even in small ways, gives us a sense of purpose. It reminds us that we are not powerless, and that when we work together, we can create real change. For me, taking action isn’t just about the watershed — it’s about restoring hope through community.”
These words truly capture the essence of Love Your Watershed Day. When we care for our watershed, we care for our community and our future. So mark your calendars for May 10 and join us at De Vargas Park for a day of collaboration, stewardship and education. Together, we can build a thriving, resilient watershed! For more details, visit santafewatershed.org/lywd-2025.
Lorraine Chow is the stewardship and outreach coordinator for the Santa Fe Watershed Association.
