Albuquerque’s Environmental Story: Toward a Sustainable Community is a 462 page teaching resource for students and adults. 

“(A) holistic overview of the Albuquerque  area’s human, built, cultural., and natural environments… designed to inculcate a sense of community among the young and to achieve attitudinal change among adults…to raise consciousness through appreciation as well as interrelated , interdependent sharing of this ecosystem to achieve knowledgeable , responsibly involved citizenry.” Hy and Joan Rosner

Joan and Hy Rosner undertook the long running effort to fund, organize, promote and write three editions and an online version of the document that is still available on the Albuquerque Historical Society website.

The Albuquerque Conservation Association was honored to have participated as the non-profit sponsor of the effort prior to establishment of Friends Of Albuquerque’s Environmental Story in 1999.

The encyclopedic reference book documents every aspect of the community, including topics of geology, air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste, energy, historic preservation and the built environment, including descriptions of 11 neighborhoods, the East Mountains and Rio Rancho. 

The book includes teaching tools called “Eye Opener Worksheets” that outline activities and ask questions to spur thoughts and discussions for the classroom. It also contains multiple extensive bibliographies and appendices.  

The first version was published in 1978 . It was revised twice and in 1988 the Rosners also oversaw production of a slim condensed version called, “Albuquerque: City of Contrasts.” 

I visited the Rosners’ home on Sunningdale in the late 80’s. Their large dining room table was covered with orderly piles of paperwork related to the document. That table was symbolic of the effort to which they devoted their lives and personal space to the work. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

Financial support from businesses, including AT&T, Intel, and PNM made the work possible and volunteers from the City, County, Albuquerque Public Schools, and groups such as 1000 Friends of New Mexico, Central New Mexico REBUILD AMERICA, AIA Albuquerque, Cottonwood Printing, Shared Vision, and the American Architectural Foundation were involved. Mayor Martin Chavez provided the forward to the 1996 edition. Over thirty individuals were involved. The result was a thorough and balanced treatment of all aspects of Albuquerque and the region. 

A city beautiful, a balanced city that works for all of us, must have the informed participatory backing of an enlightened citizenry, a recognition that the environment is all embracing, that it touched all our lives.” Hy and Joan Rosner 1987.

The growth of Albuquerque has not eclipsed the Rosner’s work. AES is a lasting legacy of the Rosners and to the spirit of Albuquerque’s places and citizens.

Here’s the direct link to Albuquerque’s Environmental Story.