The Friends of the Santa Fe River, a 501-c3 organization, is committed to removing invasive and non-native plants as well as trash from the Santa Fe River corridor that runs from St Francis Drive and east to Camino Cabra. These actions and ongoing maintenance create a natural balance that promotes the growth of native trees, plants, grasses and flowers, turning the river from a neglected and overgrown riverbed, to a corridor of beauty for the community and visitors to enjoy.
By healing the river, we help unite Santa Fe's diverse communities and provide healthy green spaces for recreation, social connections and contemplation. This in turn encourages better living, from connection to nature to improved mental and physical well-being to connection with each other. This work teaches us all to strive to be better stewards of the environment and ourselves.
The Friends of the Santa Fe River project is the vision from the heart of a man who has been a part of the Santa Fe Community since 1993, Michael Smith. Before arriving in Santa Fe, Michael was a professional gardener in Laguna Beach, California. He came to Santa Fe to be an Antique Indian Art dealer and created and ran the successful Michael Smith Gallery, at 526 Canyon Road for 12 years. While running the gallery, Michael became aware of how neglected the Santa Fe River was and a passion to clean it up developed in his heart. But instead, he moved to Hawaii where he returned to his love of gardening. In 2018 Michael returned to Santa Fe and pursued the passion that had never left: to heal the Santa Fe River. He arrived and started cleaning up the River. His refined artistic eye combined with his knowledge of plants and the environment has given him the tools and knowledge for this River project. The seed of purpose started to grow for Michael. He saw something that he was qualified to do, and no one was doing it. Thus, The Friends of The Santa Fe River project was born.
The transformation of the Santa Fe River has created a place for residents and visitors to meet while out on a walk, a place to read a book, a place for children and pets to splash in the water and enjoy the shade on a sunny day. Since 2013, the River has gone through a metamorphosis which is drawing people from all walks of life; contributions have been coming from local and from afar. Because of its beauty and meaning to so many, the Santa Fe River corridor has started to become an oasis for people to find quiet and peaceful contemplation, to stroll with their pets, to create relationships and a place for memorializing their loved ones with benches, stones and trees planted.
This work would not be possible without the generous support of our Donors. Your donations have demonstrated grass-roots community-based support for the renewal of the Santa Fe River corridor. Continued support makes the difference between what the river was, what it is now and how we continue to grow and maintain it. We can’t do it without your help.
At the same time, we are delighted to announce that because of the difference we have made, the City of Santa Fe is now investing in the project as well. This relationship offers exciting possibilities. With this partnership and Donors like you, The Friends of the Santa Fe River can continue to create and maintain a beautiful City Sanctuary for all of us to enjoy and be proud of.
Friends of the Santa Fe River is a 501c3 designation (87-3031513). All donations are fully tax deductbile.
For donation payment, checks and Paypal are accepted. Accepting Venmo payments is in process. Checks can be made out to "Friends of the Santa Fe River" and mailed to:
"Thank you for all your efforts in making the Santa Fe River the most beautiful place in town."
-Kim Meadows
"For your visionary hard work to renew and sustain the river as a community oasis of beauty and peace. Thank you and all who have helped you."
-Eda Gordon
