Community Action for a
Renewed Environment
Program
Research, Education and Advocacy
The Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a way for San Luis Valley communities to organize and take action to reduce environmental health hazards.
Our Vision
A healthy environment is fundamental for public health and is essential for the well being of people and communities. Maintaining environmental health requires monitoring and modifying physical, chemical, biological and other factors that may impact the quality of air, water, soils, foods, homes workplaces, transportation, and recreation. Environmental health can be improved by decreasing harmful environmental impacts and by enhancing healthy choices through education and positive lifestyles.
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Goals of the CARE Project:
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To reduce people's exposures to toxic pollutants through collaborative action at the local level
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To help communities understand all potential sources of exposure to toxic pollutants
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To work with communities to set priorities for risk reduction activities
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To create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve the local environment
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Through education and community involvement, the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, in partnership with the public health departments around the valley, local businesses, and community members worked to assess the environmental health of the San Luis Valley. The CARE Project worked with all six counties in the San Luis Valley: Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Rio Grande, Mineral and Saguache County. Phase I of the CARE project was completed in 2012 with the critical task of identifying healthy environment priorities for SLV communities completed.
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We are now positioned to implement findings from CARE I to the next phase.