As we approach the holidays, it is nice to take a minute to reflect on this long and challenging year. Like every nonprofit, we’ve had our share of pandemic upheavals, but I couldn’t be prouder of our wonderful staff, who never complained and just kept up their amazing level of commitment to our mission. The coronavirus pushed all of us outside more than ever, and suddenly SFCT’s efforts to develop and maintain our local trails came into full focus. When the coronavirus shut down almost all parts of our society, locals and tourists alike turned to nature and to Santa Fe’s amazing 55 miles of trail resources for solace and relief. When the City cancelled our contract to maintain the trails, you came forward, along with a local foundation, to ensure that we could continue to make the trails safe and accessible for everyone. We also worked to expand trail opportunities in 2020. We got a grant to develop the Chili Line trail adjacent to the La Tierra Trail system on an historic rail bed. We were gifted a property in the Galisteo Basin area for which we are now in the midst of planning new trails. So our trails legacy, started by our founding executive director, Dale Ball, goes on!
It was also an extremely busy year in the land conservation area. We entered 2020 with 15 active land projects, the most in our history. As the coronavirus and its implications became clear, we realized that land conservation and our attempts to begin creating larger, connected protected areas benefits you with not just more outdoor recreational opportunities, but it also protects the biodiversity we need to survive. The repercussions of transmission of diseases from wildlife to humans due to human encroachment was thrust in our faces by the coronavirus, and suddenly conservation is at the heart of solutions to protecting plant and wildlife habitat to keep our ecosystem healthy. If you look at our mission in the context of 2020, you can see how critically important our work is.
SFCT’s Mission
The Santa Fe Conservation Trust partners with our community to keep northern New Mexico’s living lands and people flourishing together. We protect culturally and environmentally significant landscapes, ignite people’s passion for nature and enable the continual regeneration of our healthy place.
View of Tecolote Peak near Las Vegas, NM. Photo by Dr. Josh Carothers.
2020 showed us how nature heals and calms us, improves our moods and our health. I can’t wait til 2021 when the vaccinations allow us to gather again, because then we can restart our community programs that get people of all ages and abilities outside. We believe that everyone deserves opportunities to get outside, and we look forward to continuing to work with the elderly and the infirm, and with those who may be uncomfortable being outside alone, so they, too, can experience the benefits of nature.
If you are like me and a little behind on figuring out gifts this year, think about making a gift to SFCT in honor of your friends and family. You’ll be giving them the gift of wide open spaces, a healthier ecosystem and safe and accessible trails! We’ll let them know you made a donation in their honor.
Finally, I want to thank you for all you’ve done to advance the work of SFCT this year. Even in the midst of the isolation and social distancing, we’ve never felt more supported or connected. Please stay safe and hang in there a little longer. Isolating this holiday will ensure we can be together next year. On behalf of all of us at SFCT, we send you our very best!
Sincerely,
Sarah Noss
Executive Director
WAYS TO GIVE
- This year, we’re seeing a big increase in people giving stock, or mutual funds. Here’s why:
Many people are realizing that this way of giving can save them money on two types of taxes — they avoid all capital gains taxes and get a full income tax deduction for the value of the stock. Did you know that you can save more than 50% of your gift in taxes this way?
A lot of folks are also surprised at how easy it is — it can be just a few minutes, and people that do it once tend to prefer this method going forward.
Call us for stock transfer instructions. We are working remotely and will call you back. (505) 989-7019 - Checks sent via the U.S. Postal Service to SFCT must be postmarked on or before December 31, 2020. Our mailing address is PO Box 23985, Santa Fe, NM 87502.
- Checks sent via carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL must be physically received at SFCT on or before December 31, 2020. Our physical address is 400 Kiva Court, Suite B, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
- Please initiate wire transfers of cash no later than December 28, 2020.
- Credit card gifts made online (sfct.org) may be made until 5pm on December 31, 2020. If you want to do it via phone, leave us a message at (505) 989-7019 and we will call you back.
The Perfect Last-minute Gift?
How to Party this New Year’s Eve?
Get inspired, explore the mountain world and
have a wild adventure from home!
Banff World Tour Programs are on sale for $15. Each program brings you two hours of new films – for your own enjoyment or to gift to another. Gift recipients will receive program(s) via a special email. Use our link above, and part of the proceeds support our work – your gift can give twice!
Grab a beverage and some food; get in front of the biggest screen you can find at home; and buckle up for the ride!
Our incredible sponsors continue to hang in there with us to make this happen. Please give them a shout of thanks and patronize their businesses whenever you can!
2020 Newsletter /
2019 Annual Report
Have you seen our latest newsletter? It’s a celebration of the trails that sustain us, plus a look at the lands we have recently protected. Check it out!
https://sfct.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2019-SFCT-Annual-Report.pdf
Check Out These Videos About Our Work
New Charitable Giving Tax Deduction
One very positive outgrowth of the current situation is that the long quest for a “universal” charitable contribution deduction has finally been fulfilled. Historically, a charitable contribution tax deduction has been available only to taxpayers who were willing to itemize their taxes. The CARES Act, however, changes that. Moving forward, even those of you who opt for the standard deduction in lieu of itemizing will be able to claim a charitable contribution deduction, up to $300. More information can be found here.
Also emerging as a result of the CARES Act for some of you is the $1,200 stimulus payment. If you find that you can spare some portion of that, please consider contributing it to SFCT, and its continued pursuit of future, enriching conservation transactions.
You too can play a role in leaving a legacy!
