Strengthening Government-Community Collaboration on Equitable Greening Projects in Albuquerque

While many US cities have pioneered innovative urban greening initiatives, these projects have often disproportionately benefited higher-income areas. Yet marginalized communities often bear the brunt of the environmental risks associated with climate change.

The successful implementation of nature-based solutions that support all urban residents equally requires close collaboration between city government officials, the community itself and community organizations. The Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico (CSCNM), and its partner network the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, are dedicated to supporting local government sustainability professionals throughout New Mexico and the ​​Inner Mountain Range Region, supporting them in their partnerships with community-based environmental organizations through our partner network, the Western Adaptation Alliance.

Through this grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, CSCNM and USDN will work with the City of Albuquerque to provide additional staff support for their engagement with community organizations in their implementation of greening projects.

CSCNM will leverage tools from the Urban Sustainability Directors Network’s Nature-Based Climate Solutions Initiative to measure the impacts of community greening projects throughout their implementation, considering indices such as enhanced local knowledge, fulfillment of community needs, and societal impacts such as economic inclusion and workforce development.