The city of Albuquerque has unveiled an initiative designed to decrease the city's carbon footprint, stimulate economic growth, and foster environmental justice in underprivileged areas through the FUSE Fellowship. Matthew Fien Gretton, appointed as the Executive Fellow by FUSE in association with the city’s Office of Equity and Inclusion and Sustainability Office, is tasked with creating a public-private composting program.
In the coming two months, Gretton intends to host listening sessions at various locations to gather community members' input on their goals and vision for a citywide composting program. The community will have opportunities to provide feedback on the proposed program during Spring/Summer 2024. According to a press release by the city of Albuquerque, Gretton spent his first month engaging with stakeholders and local community members who have experience in composting within the metropolitan area.
Sandra West, the city of Albuquerque’s Sustainable Waste Specialist, stated in a press release by the city of Albuquerque: "We’re paving the path toward exceeding the Climate Action Plan’s sustainable materials management goals while protecting our residents who are most vulnerable to climate change. Together, we are utilizing nature’s process of recycling nutrients to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build healthy local soils for a more resilient and sustainable Albuquerque."
Gretton is an experienced Agriculture and Food Systems Development professional dedicated to sustainable farming, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. With over ten years of practical experience, he specializes in agricultural coordination, program management, and innovative farming techniques according to information from the Fellows webpage provided by Fuse.
Gretton said in a press release by the city of Albuquerque: "I look forward to bringing my experience in project planning and community engagement that I gained as an agriculture program manager, food distributor, and entrepreneur to our work on this project. Citywide composting is a goal and vision that crosses boundaries and unites people with a passion for preserving our New Mexico food, water, and earth."