Happy Thanksgiving to you! I am writing this in anticipation of being a little heartbroken on the day, because my family members, even though we all live here, are celebrating it separately from each other. We will be on the phone with each other, for sure, and I am glad we are playing it safe. But still, having to take space from our elders at a time when they need connection and physical support is one of the most heartbreaking aspects of the coronavirus for me. My mom, though, says it’s patriotic to do so. So, we will buck up and anticipate better days ahead. I hope you will feel loved, nurtured and supported today and through the weekend with those closest to you in your “pod.” Let the love you feel for each other, our beautiful town, New Mexico, and our country carry you through. Sacrificing today for a better tomorrow makes the heartbreak a little more bearable.
Gamble Oak, Quercus Gambelii, in the Galisteo Basin watershed.
There is no reason, however, not to have a little fun while making a sacrifice to support our healthcare workers and our community. We are very excited to announce the start of the VIRTUAL Banff Mountain Festival World Tour. Starting today, you can sign up using our affiliate link for a Banff program, which is comparable to a night at the Lensic, to view in the comfort of your home! By using the SFCT affiliate link, a portion of the $15 ticket will benefit our conservation and trails work. So, if you love the exhilarating outdoor films that Banff brings us every year, be sure to get your tickets today! Spread the word, as everyone can use a little diversion right now. You can also get them as gifts for others. All the details are below.
And please mark your calendar for the evening of December 9 at 6:30, when we welcome environmental writers Laura Paskus and Bill deBuys for a virtual chat about Laura’s new book, At the Precipice: New Mexico’s Changing Climate. What will our future look like here in New Mexico if we ignore the realities of climate change? And what can we do to secure the future for our children and grandchildren? Get your questions ready and mark your calendars. We look forward to getting together with you virtually! The more we know, the more we can all make a difference.
Three vaccines are on the way and can’t get here soon enough. But for now, we send you lots of love. Thank you for being careful and kind to each other, this weekend especially!
Sincerely,
Sarah Noss
Executive Director
It’s Back with All New Award-Winning Films!
Online tickets go on sale TODAY – get inspired, explore the mountain world and have a wild adventure from home!
Gripping action, outdoor escapades, personal quests, environment, culture – it’s all here to get you jazzed and help you feel like you are with the Banff-loving crowds at the Lensic once again. Get ready to grab a cocktail and some food; get in front of the biggest screen you can find at home; and buckle up for the ride!
Banff World Tour Programs (programs are like a full night at the Lensic) ARE NOW AVAILABLE for $15 (two for $28). Use SFCT’s exclusive link above to purchase tickets and to see what’s playing. When you make a purchase through SFCT’s link, part of the proceeds will come back to support our work. Go to our Banff Mountain Film Festival Page for lots more details, including the perfect gift for someone over the holidays!
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!
“How well we adapt depends on how well we plan. And planning means taking care of one another.”
– Laura Paskus, AT THE PRECIPICE
DECEMBER 9 ∙ 6:30PM
We are proud to bring together two distinguished environmental writers for an online and up-front conversation about what climate change really means in New Mexico – one of the fastest warming states in the country! Stories about places we know and love. What is happening in nature, on our local lands and in our state, and what is not happening to counteract the impact and why.
Laura Paskus, whose new book, At the Precipice: New Mexico’s Changing Climate, was just published by UNM Press. Leading the discussion will be Bill deBuys, author of A Great Aridness, Climate Change and the Future of the Southwest. Bill was one of the founders of SFCT!
“Climate change is global, but it is also surely local. Paskus shares the science and her love for imperiled New Mexico in a way that brings this story to our own doorsteps.” – John Fleck, coauthor of Science Be Dammed: How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained the Colorado River
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
ESTATE PLANNING
AARP says that 6 in 10 Americans don’t have a will or an estate plan, yet the coronavirus is also making people realize that anything can happen at any time. If you are working to fill this gap in your life, consider this: Does your connection to the land sustain, enrich and inspire you? Are you concerned about access to nature for your children and grandchildren? Including SFCT in your will is easy to do and will ensure that the land, trails and skies of northern New Mexico will be protected for future generations. More info is in this planned giving guide.
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.
You too can play a role in leaving a legacy!
