Mission & History

The LCVA was established in 1995 as a community organization committed to protecting and preserving our communities’ acequia culture and agricultural traditions, the foundation and lifeblood of our community. In addition to that role the LCVA is active in responding to community needs and representing community interests whenever necessary. As a result, the LCVA is well recognized among governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and other community associations. .

Community Planning and Outreach

Community Planning: Coordinated a five-year process to write a detailed community plan and established the La Cienega Planning area, successfully worked to have our community designated by the State as a traditional/historical community, supported the establishment of a local development review committee, supported the establishment of a commercial district to prevent spot commercial zoning in residential neighborhoods and proactively engaged large land owners, Tres Rios Ranch, the Downs and La Bajada Ranch to participate in their master planning process. LCVA is currently in the process of updating that Community Plan.

Political Activism

Opposed a proposed golf course-country club-town house development at Las Lagunitas, opposed a 250 home development in La Cieneguilla and through LCVA leadership Santa Fe County acquired the property for open space, spent 4 1/2 years responding to the proposed Santa Fe Canyon Ranch 650 home development (this included petition drives and numerous appearances before the County Commission and development review bodies) and supported Santa Fe County’s acquisition of La Bajada Ranch.

Water Issues

Working with our acequias and area farmers and ranchers to ensure the City meets its responsibility to provide legally required water offsets, planning a river restoration from La Cieneguilla to the village of La Bajada to include working with the City to provide sufficient and clean water flow to sustain a healthy river and to meet traditional agricultural needs, working with Santa Fe County to address contamination of area water sources with Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), working with Santa Fe County to create a plan for springs restoration.

Community Events

LCVA hosts and sponsors several events annually including an annual Halloween Carnival, Holiday Party, Community Clean-Up, and emergency preparedness exercises.