With consensus from the Las Cruces City Council, City staff will continue development of a Tree Care Ordinance.
At a work session on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, City Council reviewed and discussed a draft of the proposed Ordinance. A Tree Care Ordinance would have several benefits, including the protection of public trees; ensuring that the right trees are planted in the right places in the city; and the establishment of guidelines for tree care and proper planting.
The Council was told trees in the city currently have helped remove 92 tons of air pollution, including 45 tons of ozone. Annually, trees in Las Cruces produce almost 3,300 tons of oxygen, reduce 898,000 cubic feet of runoff, and can reduce stormwater intensity by as much as 70 percent. Also, shade from trees can cool warmer temperatures 20 to 45 degrees.
City staff presented preliminary information about the draft Ordinance at an October 2017 work session. An advisory committee including Parks and Recreation Department staff, the Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager at the State of New Mexico Forestry Division, and community advocates developed the draft ordinance for the Council’s review.
Additionally, a sustainability quarterly update was presented to City Council at Monday’s work session. On Oct. 5, 2020, City Council adopted the Las Cruces Climate Action Plan.
Monday’s report to City Council focused on building decarbonization goals through policy, education, and the promotion of highly efficient technologies. The Council learned that building decarbonization could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero and using electricity in buildings will accelerate Las Cruces’ greenhouse gas reductions.
Supporting electrification adoption and enabling residents to learn much more about those benefits will be shared at the PowerUP Las Cruces Expo and Training, to be conducted Jan. 20, 2023, and Jan. 21, 2023, at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 825 E. University Ave. PowerUP Las Cruces Expo and Training will showcase the availability and affordability of new, advanced technologies to convert one’s home or business into an all-electric environment.
The event, free to the public, will showcase the many ways electricity can have a positive change on one’s life while showcasing local businesses that can facilitate converting living and working spaces to an all-electric and efficient environment. Information to take advantage of discounts, rebates, and incentives to go all-electric will be available. Information can be found at https://meetinlascruces.com/powerup-expo-training/.