Environment – Page 560

Reminder From Bandelier: It’s Flash Flood Season Again

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 25, 2015

Major flash flood Sept. 14, 2013 at Bandelier. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Although it has been a rainy summer so far, there haven’t yet been any large flash floods in Bandelier National Monument, either in Frijoles Canyon near the Visitor Center, or in the other canyons in the park.

However, floods are certainly possible, and the park has announced that the annual closure of all canyon bottom camping zones July 1 through Sept. 15 is in effect. Hikers are still welcome to go out on the trails, and backpackers can get Wilderness permits to camp in zones on mesa tops. Juniper

Attorney General On PRC Refusal To Study Costs And Benefits Of Wind And Solar Energy In New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2015

Attorney General Hector Balderas

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Attorney General Hector Balderas released the following statement today in response to the Public Regulation Commission’s refusal to study the costs and benefits of solar and wind energy in New Mexico:

“I continue to urge the PRC to gather more accurate and transparent information for taxpayers, including the study of the true costs and benefits of wind and solar energy in New Mexico. New Mexico’s energy system must be modernized in order to strengthen the economic security of New Mexico’s working families.” Read More

Wildflower Expert Larry Littlefield At Library Thursday

Submitted by Bonnie J. Gordon on July 20, 2015

Larry J. Littlefield, co-author of ‘Wildflowers of the Northern and Central Mountains of New Mexico.’ Courtesy/MPL

MPL News:

It’s a great year for wildflowers! With all the rain that has fallen on New Mexico this year, wildflowers are emerging in record numbers.

The new field guide “Wildflowers of the Northern and Central Mountains of New Mexico: Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia, and Manzano” has been published just in time for wildflower enthusiasts to find out more about this year’s bounty.

Author Larry J. Littlefield is the featured speaker at Mesa Public Library at Read More

World Politics Of A Changing Energy Landscape July 22

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 20, 2015

CIR News:

The Santa Fe Council on International Relations (CIR) is hosting a discussion on “The World Politics of a Changing Energy Landscape” with speaker James Clad―senior advisor to the Center for Naval Analysis and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense―at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 at Tipton Hall, Santa Fe University of Art and Design, 1600 St. Michael’s Dr.

Cost is $15 for CIR members, and $20 for non-members and guests.

Clad will discuss how recent energy trends have upset the world oil market and transformed the geopolitical landscape.

Scenes From ScienceFest At Bradbury Science Museum

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 19, 2015

A visitor watches a video Saturday inside the Bradbury Science Museum in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Many interactive exhibits fill the Bradbury Science Museum, drawing people of all ages. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Visitors have poured into the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos during the three day ScienceFest festival that began Thursday.

People of all ages participated in interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities and listened to dynamic speakers meant to engage kids, families, and individuals who are interested Read More

PEEC: Discovery Canyon Bird Walk

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 19, 2015

Lesser goldfinch. Photo by Dave Yeamans

PEEC News:

One of the best ways to begin bird watching is by looking for the birds you see and hear every day. To help beginning birders recognize some of the species living in Los Alamos, join long-time Los Alamos resident and bird watcher Dave Yeamans on a hike at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 leaving from the Los Alamos Nature Center.

From there, the group will walk intently down the Ranch School Trail and to the confluence of Discovery and Pueblo Canyons. The return trip is uphill out of the Canyon along the same trail. While participants will likely Read More

PEEC: Learn About Local Butterflies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 19, 2015

Monarch Butterfly. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan

PEEC News:

As spring turns to summer, butterflies become more frequent visitors to the Pajarito Plateau. To learn more about these beautiful creatures, local butterfly enthusiast Roy Michelotti will introduce listeners to the most common species of butterflies seen in and around Los Alamos.

In addition to discussing butterfly identification, he will also explore this unique creature’s biology, behavior, life cycle and more. This talk is 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. It is free, and no registration is required.

This Read More

PEEC Summer Family Evenings: Meet Wildland Firefighters July 22

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 18, 2015

Wildland firefighter at work. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

What does it take to be a wildland fireighter? What equipment do they use? What can kids do to prevent wildfires from starting?

Individuals and families can find the answer to these and other fire-related questions at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Local wildland firefighters will be on hand to answer questions, demonstrate how to use firefighting equipment and let families see their fire engine.

Summer Family Evenings have always been a popular program at PEEC, and now, with the Del Norte Credit Union’s support, Read More

Classic Air Medical Helicopter Landing At Nature Center

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 17, 2015

Classic Air Medical helicopter on a mission. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

Classic Air Medical will bring their rescue helicopter to the Los Alamos Nature Center at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, as part of PEEC’s Summer Family Evenings program, sponsored by Del Norte Credit Union. The helicopter will touch down in the nature center parking lot.

PEEC’s Summer Family Evenings have been going strong in 2015. Los Alamos families have enjoyed wolves, rattlesnakes, baby goats and more at these Wednesday evening events.

For July

Report Shows Nuclear Trumped By Renewables Worldwide

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 17, 2015

BEYOND NUCLEAR News:

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — The 2015 edition of an annual empirical analysis of the state of nuclear power globally, confirms a continued decline that belies claims to a “nuclear renaissance.”

Instead, the report shows, solar energy in particular, is soaring ahead while nuclear stagnates and falters.

The findings of the 2015 World Nuclear Industry Status Report, published July 15 in the UK and available on-line, illustrate, as Forum for the Future trustee, Jonathon Porritt, wrote in the foreword:

“The impressively resilient

Senators Heinrich And Flake Introduce Bill To Protect And Restore Watersheds In National Forests

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 17, 2015

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Wednesday July 15, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., both members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced S. 1780, the Restoring America’s Watersheds Act, a bill to protect, restore, and improve the health of watersheds in national forests.

The proposal would prioritize fire-impacted watersheds and encourage partnerships with non-federal stakeholders to invest in forests that provide important water resources.

Last year, Heinrich

Moving Arts Española Creates Community Garden

Submitted by Bonnie J. Gordon on July 16, 2015

Hunter Arts and Agricultural Center, future home of the community garden and composting project. Courtesy photo

Preliminary straw bale beds with a totem sculpture. Courtesy photo

MAE News:

Moving Arts Española (MAE) has been awarded funding from the Rio Arriba County Health and Human Services Department to design and install a community garden and composting educational project at the Hunter Arts and Agricultural Center.

The Hunter Arts and Agricultural Center is being developed in collaboration with Siete Del Norte Community Development Corporation, Moving Arts Española, Read More

Los Alamos Utilities Board Unanimously Approves San Juan Generating Station Settlement Agreement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 16, 2015

Giving a presentation this evening to the Utilities Board, from left, Deputy Utilities Manager – Finance/Administration Bob Westervelt, Deputy Utilities Manager – Electric Steve Cummins and environmental attorney Richard Virtue from Santa Fe. Screen Shot/LAC

Utilities Manager Tim Glasco discusses the San Juan Generating Station Settlement Agreement. Screen Shot/LAC

Resident Robert Falco raises concerns of potential liability from contamination by the plant into the San Juan River and mine. He encouraged the board to exit the agreement: ‘Cut your losses when it’s Read More

Western Bluebirds Spotted In Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2015

This Western Bluebird is a first sighting for the Williams family who have more than 40 years residing in Los Alamos. This Western Bluebird female is continually bringing insects to her young. Photo by Joel M. Williams

This Western Bluebird male is serving as a ‘lookout’ while his wife is nesting in one of the family’s crude birdhouses under a pavilion cover on Zuni in Los Alamos. Photo by Joel M. Williams Read More

Uranium Documentary Film Festival July 15-17

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 14, 2015

CVNM News:

The Conservation Voters New Mexico Education (CVNM) Education Fund along with ally organizations Laguna-Acoma Coalition for a Safe Environment and Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, is hosting the 4th annual Think Outside The Mine film festival 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 and Friday, July 17 at Kawaika Center Theater at 22 Bay Tree Rd., Paraje, NM 87007.

Two Films:

Wednesday, July 15, 5-8 p.m.

Blue Gold ― a documentary about the increasing precious commodity of water and the struggle to control it.
Crying Earth Rise Up

Monthly PEEC Wildflower Walk July 13

Submitted by Bonnie J. Gordon on July 11, 2015

Native wildflower Scarlet Penstemon. Photo by Chick Keller

PEEC News:

With the continued rain in Los Alamos County, beautiful wildflowers abound. Join PEEC’s Jemez Mountain Herbarium Curator Chick Keller for a Wildflower Walk at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 13 to discover what some of them are and where they can be found.

This will be an easy walk to identify some of the wildflowers that can be found in and around Los Alamos. The group will meet at the Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road, and carpool to the trail that Keller will select based on what is blooming at the time. The walk is free and there is Read More

Heinrich Introduces Bill To Scale Up Solar Projects

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 11, 2015

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday July 9, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. introduced S. 1723, the Promoting Renewable Energy with Shared Solar (PRESS) Act, a bill to boost access to renewable energy through community solar projects.

“This bill is a great opportunity to put solar energy within the reach of more families in New Mexico and around the country,” Heinrich said. “Shared solar projects have the potential to allow more Americans who lack sunny roof space or startup capital to truly benefit

PEEC Laser Light Shows Are Canceled

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2015

PEEC News:

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is very sad to announce that the laser light show machine arrived damaged, and all shows are cancelled.

PEEC will be issuing refunds during normal open hours at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Prismatic Magic apologizes to the people of Los Alamos, and have promised to deliver to PEEC a fixed and working machine for the first few weeks of August, so check PEEC’s website at that time to find out the new schedule. www.peecnature.org. Read More

Explore Mesa De Cuba Badlands With PEEC

Submitted by Bonnie J. Gordon on July 10, 2015

Mesa de Cuba Badlands. Photo by Rod McCrady

PEEC News:

Traveling to Cuba along N.M. 550 is certainly a visual treat. This rugged, multi-colored landscape is home to the relatively new San Juan Basin Badlands Recreation Area.

Created in the last few years to offer protection to this sometimes haunting, but always breathtaking scenery, the Badlands have no real trail system, food or potable water. To help visitors navigate this exceptional terrain, join geologist Patrick Rowe Saturday, July 18 to explore one of the five badlands in the Recreation Area, the Mesa de Cuba Badlands.

This hike offers Read More

Spots Still Available For YMCA Earth Service Corps

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 10, 2015

YESC busy at work and having fun. Courtesy photo

YESC getting it done. Courtesy photo

YMCA News:

YMCA Earth Service Corps is an innovative service-learning program that gives youth entering 7th through 9th grades the opportunity to develop job skills, practice leadership, and create a more sustainable future by doing volunteer service projects in our community.

The Family YMCA’s 2015 Earth Service Corps (YESC) is having a fun and busy summer. With three weeks remaining, the YESC has put in 734 volunteer hours of community service since June

LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems