Dear Friend,
Earth Care here! Happy Black History Month! We will be sharing educational resources & more throughout this month. Check out Earthseed Black Arts Alliance New Mexico, a Black-led organization inspired by the science fiction of the great Octavia Butler (https://www.earthseedblackarts.org/). They have an awesome education project underway. If you're a teacher go to their website to find out how you can incorporate their materials in your classes.
It's been a busy year so far! We are happy to learn of the big, positive moves being taken on a federal level. We are here to deliver some small victories & updates from YUCCA & Poder Familiar & our new campaign. We have some Earth Care news! We'd like to introduce you to our new Campaign Organizers working on our Environmental Justice campaign in response to the asphalt plant expansion proposal that threatens our community's health! Please welcome Domenica Nieto & Estefani Barrera!
Estefani Barrera
Etefani was born in Michoacan, Mexico, but was raised in Santa Fe. She is currently a student at SFCC in the medical field. She started getting involved with her community early 2018, Estefani was a member of NMDT being a part of events and actions standing up for her Immigrant community. She was able to be a part of a Victory in Lawton Oklahoma where she along with hundreds of others took over Lawton demanding they not open another detention center for immigrant children. She strongly believes in using your voice and standing up for what is right. As someone who enjoys helping others, she saw a great opportunity to help her community with Earth Care by becoming a EJ campaign organizer with Earth Care standing up and helping for her community for better future of the Southside of Santa Fe.
Domenica Nieto
Domenica Nieto is one of the newest members of the Earth Care family and will be co-organizing the Environmental Justice Campaign. She is currently in her third year at the University of New Mexico majoring in Latin American Studies and Spanish and is looking forward to getting more involved with various youth organizers to provide more resources for the people of Santa Fe.
COMING SOON: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & JUSTICE CAMPAIGN KICK OFF
We continue to work to lift up our community's vision for health equity, environmental and economic justice, and youth & family centered community development. Along with the NM Environmental Law Center & local community residents we are kicking off a campaign to fight the expansion of asphalt plants in our neighborhoods, located near multiple predominantly low-income communities of color in Southside Santa Fe off of 599 -- and make sure our communities voices are heard in the decision-making process. Associated Asphalt & Materials Co is applying for a new air quality permit to essentially operate 24/7. Residents and folks working next to this plant have pushed back the permitting process. Now we are gearing up for the next hearing date in March 2021. We will update you all as our campaign officially kicks off! To catch you up,
Read Santa Fe Reporter article from December 1, "Targeted for Pollution: Southside coalition beefs up with technical expert, lawyers in fight against an asphalt plant."
Listen to the podcast from Katherine Lewin, featuring her interview with partners in this campaign.
Watch YUCCA's Legislative Update from last week/early this week!
We are celebrating Senate Bill 84 Community Solar (Sponsored by: Sen Lopez & Stefanics) passing the first committee (Senate Conservation)! It will make its way to Senate Tax, Business & Transportation Committee soon. In the meantime, please contact your Senator & ask them to support SB 84. Find your senator HERE & find factsheets HERE.
Today we started hearing SJR 3 Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment in its 1st committee, Senate Rules. This will be an uphill climb. The NM Chamber of Commerce, NM Oil & Gas, Farm & Livestock Bureau lobbyists & more came out in opposition to SJR 3 and some of the Senate committee members revealed their total disregard for science. YUCCA was invited by the Sponsor to provide testimony as part of the presentation of the bill and we were joined by powerful experts. More than a dozen advocates -- young and old also testified during the public comment portion of the hearing. Though we made a powerful showing -- we need your voices too. Please take action by THURSDAY as the next Senate Rules Committee (they will be voting on it) will take place on Friday Morning. Please call and email the Committee members and state your support for SJR3. Click here for talking points & Committee Members List.
Please sign up for our Legislative Action Alerts this session if you haven't already. Just click HERE.
Watch our updated for the week by clicking the photo above or CLICKING HERE. For future updates you can sign up for our Legislative Action List below OR follow us on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter.
Plaza Comunitaria Launch
Poder Familiar, the family leadership project of Earth Care, is happy to announce the official launch of their Plaza Comunitaria. This partnership with the Mexican Consulate, with support from the SFCF and others, formalizes the adult education and training work we have hosted for several years. Housed in what we are calling Colegio Santa Fe, Plaza Comunitaria provides individuals 16 and older the opportunity to complete their formal education in Spanish, on-line or in person with the support of local certified educators. Through this program they will have access to basic literacy support, elementary and HS completion, as well as college courses, certifications and degrees, all tuition free and all recognized in the US. Look for more course offerings in the near future, and contact Miguel Acosta (miguel@earthcarenm.org) if you are interested in helping to lead a group or teach a particular subject or skill.