Cooling Our Communities
TNC in New Mexico works with local partners and communities to help reach the Mayor's 100,000 tree planting goal.
This page was updated on January 12, 2021.
With the majority of our mature trees in decline from old age, The Nature Conservancy has built an alliance of partners focused on reinvesting in our community forest.
“We need everyone—businesses, residents young and old, fellow non-profits and government agencies to all contribute to the solution” says Sarah Hurteau, Urban Conservation Program Director for TNC.
Specifically, TNC is partnering with City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA), Tree New Mexico, State Forestry, and Bernalillo County Parks and Open Space Division. Together, we are working to get people involved in planting new trees, caring for our aging trees and tracking our progress to a cooler, healthier Albuquerque.
6,827 Trees Planted to Date.
Help us reach the Mayor's goal of planting 100,000 trees by 2030—that's one for every child in Albuquerque!
Where are trees being planted?
The map below shows the locations where tree planting efforts by TNC and partners have been implemented since January 2019. Want to be included? Submit your own tree plantings here.
Recently Planted Trees in Albuquerque Locations identify tree planting efforts by TNC and our partners since Jan 2019.
Working with Communities
Over the last year, The Nature Conservancy has led three major planting events in Albuquerque’s South Valley. In that time, we have logged over 1,000 hours of volunteer work from community members, businesses, and local residents to plant more than 700 trees. These trees will act as nature’s air conditioner for one of the warmest neighborhoods, cooling the air and improving the quality of life for our neighbors.
Inspired to plant a tree in your yard? Use the Climate Ready Trees list to help you decide which tree type is right for your yard. In collaboration with tree experts from across the Southwest, we evaluated 136 different trees to learn which ones will thrive in our current and future climate. It’s important to put the right tree in the right place so that you are happy with your choice and that the tree has the enough above- and below-ground space to reach it full potential.
Note: Although this report was created for Albuquerque's climate, it is directly transferable to communities with similar climates (such as Socorro, Hobbs, Carlsbad and Farmington). We recommend you consider temperature and elevation when selecting a tree for yards in other communities throughout the state.
Other Resources:
Learn How to Plant A Tree
You can help make Albuquerque greener by planting your own tree! Watch this video to learn how.
Learn more about native trees, proper tree care and how to apply for a "Tree-Bate" by visiting the Water Utility Authority's website.
Want to learn more about how to get involved?
The video below and this playlist give you more insight into Mayor Tim Keller's planting goal, how to properly plant a tree, the need for more trees in our community and how we are employing youth to build a greener future for Albuquerque!
Thanks to the City of Albuquerque for supporting the production of these videos.
News from New Mexico
Keep Up with the Latest News from The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico
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