Friends Of Bandelier Select Robert Walker As 2026 Dorothy Hoard Stewardship Award Recipient
2026 Dorothy Hoard Stewardship Award recipient Bob Walker. Courtesy photo
Friends of Bandelier News:
The Friends of Bandelier has selected Robert Walker as the recipient of its 2026 Dorothy Hoard Stewardship Award. Walker was chosen for his contributions to bird science, conservation, and education on the Pajarito Plateau.
Walker has made significant contributions to citizen science through his birding activities, including photography and documentation of bird species data. He developed his photography skills while capturing his daughters playing soccer matches. When they left Read More
FBI: Albuquerque Man Charged With Aiming Laser At Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter And Striking Cockpit Over A Dozen Times
Still image from the recording from inside the helicopter at the time of the drone strike. If convicted, Jorge Pinon Armendariz faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Courtesy/FBI
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man is facing federal charges after allegedly aiming the beam of a laser pointer at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and striking the cockpit over a dozen times.
According to public court documents, on Oct. 7, 2025, Jorge Pinon Armendariz, 47, directed a green laser at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Metro 1 helicopter while it was assisting Read More
NMED Issues Draft Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Permit
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department today proposed revisions to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant hazardous waste operating permit, strengthening enforcement of federal cleanup obligations for legacy waste stored at federal facilities across the country.
The proposed permit modifications codify commitments the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) made in its 2023 settlement agreement with New Mexico. Under that agreement, DOE committed to prioritizing disposal of legacy waste in a new underground disposal unit at the Waste Isolation Pilot Read More
State Parks Urges Early Season Boaters To Practice Cold-Water Safety
Ute Lake State Park located just north of Tucumcari, is a popular
EMNRD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico State Parks officials urge boaters to check water temperatures before hitting the lakes this spring, after several near-miss incidents in recent weeks involving boaters who underestimated how cold the water remains.
“People are eager to get back on the water, but the conditions haven’t caught up to the season yet,” said Scott Chalmers, New Mexico boating safety coordinator.
Boating on cold water requires planning for Read More
Earth Day Festival At Balloon Fiesta Park April 26
SIERRA CLUB News:
Albuquerque’s annual Earth Day Celebration is back. Join us from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Sunday, April 26 for a fun family gathering where we will celebrate and honor the natural world.
The event features a day full of speakers on the environment and exhibition booths as well as healthy and sumptuous cooking demonstrations from local eateries and culinary experts.
A youth art show and animals will entertain children. And guests searching for ways to protect the environment AND save money on home improvements can learn about programs to help their homes stay modern, energy efficient Read More
Commissioner Garcia Richard Announces New Leasing Rule To Unleash Geothermal Energy
NMSLO News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today a new geothermal leasing rule to align with recent legislative changes and to pave the way for growth of clean, baseload geothermal energy on state trust lands. Demand for geothermal energy is growing rapidly and the updated rule will allow for an increase in leasing. The final rule is effective May 1, 2026.
“Our new geothermal rule is going to open up a whole new world for clean, 24-7-365 energy development on state lands,” Commissioner Garcia Richard said. “New Mexico has all the right conditions to Read More
Daily Postcard: A Pika Sits On A Rock
Daily Postcard: A pika sits on a rock. Courtesy/NPS. Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument are continuing to survey for native pika this year, and we’d love for you to join us as a volunteer! Pika monitoring volunteers will collect data to help researchers understand the impacts of environmental changes on these animals and develop strategies to mitigate these effects. Duties include: – Gathering data from iButtons installed in pika burrows. – Conducting field observations to monitor pika activity. – Documenting and recording evidence Read More
Early Morning Sunrise Paints Sky Over White Rock
The sunrise early this morning colors the sky over White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
Rep. Gabe Vasquez Speaks Out Against Cuts To USFS
Rep. Gabe Vasquez speaks to the House of Representatives, April 21. Courtesy photo
U.S. HOUSE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On April 21, 2026, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) delivered a speech on the House floor condemning the Administration’s decision to gut the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), citing concerns about increased wildfire risks and threats to public lands just ahead of Earth Day.
“I’m a hunter, I’m an angler, and someone who spends a lot of time in my national forests. I know my supervisors, my district rangers, and even the volunteer crews. And as the co-founder of the bipartisan Public Read More
City Of Santa Fe Encourages Early Adoption Of Seasonal Watering Restrictions
SANTA FE News:
SANTA FE — As the outdoor watering season begins, the City of Santa Fe is reminding residents that seasonal water conservation requirements go into effect May 1 and will run through October. These restrictions prohibit outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Additionally, the city is asking residents and commercial users to begin these important watering restrictions early, starting now.
Seasonal watering requirements are standard water management measures designed to reduce evaporation and improve outdoor watering efficiency.
Residents are asked to observe the Read More
Daily Postcard: Sun Dog Seen From Step Up Gallery Window
Daily Postcard: A sun dog was seen from the upper floor of the Los Alamos Library yesterday while the LA Photo Club was giving a tour of their exhibit in the Step Up Gallery. Photo by Steve Bublitz Read More
Be Bear Aware: Living With Black Bears In Los Alamos County
Black Bear mama and baby searching for food in the spring in the Jemez Mountains. Courtesy/Leslie E. Bucklin
COUNTY News:
As spring returns to the Jemez Mountains, black bears are becoming more active throughout Los Alamos County. It’s an important time for residents and visitors alike to stay aware, take precautions, and understand how to safely coexist with Black Bears in the community.
Spring Behavior: Why You’re Seeing More Bears
After months of hibernation, black bears emerge in the spring hungry and focused on finding food. Natural food sources are still limited this time of year, which Read More
Gopher Snake Spotted Monday At Los Alamos Reservoir
A gopher snake about 4 feet long was spotted Monday at the Los Alamos Reservoir. Photo by Michael Smith Read More
Bublitz: Milky Way Arch Over Los Alamos From LA Mountain
Enhanced view of the Milky Way arch over Los Alamos. April is early in the Milky Way season to see it as an arch, with the galactic core starting to appear as viewed from Mt. Los Alamos during ‘blue hour’ at 7:30 p.m. April 10 and 1:30 a.m. April 17 Milky Way arch. Post-processing in Affinity Photo 2 was used to better see the Milky Way in the photo. Photo by Steve Bublitz Read More
Daily Postcard: Painted Lady Butterfly Rests On Blooming Rosemary In White Rock
Daily Postcard: Painted Lady butterfly rests on blooming rosemary Sunday in White Rock. Photo by Richard Skolnik Read More
Sun Centered Contrail Crossing Forms Over Los Alamos
Water In The West Is Life: Safeguarding Critical Watersheds In Western Colorado
The sun sets over the communities that sit below the Grand Mesa National Forest. The Grand Mesa Watershed Resiliency Partnership focuses on watersheds that directly supply municipal and agricultural water. Courtesy/Ian Reiling
SFNF News:
On Colorado’s Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests, water for the region begins as snow in high-elevation locations before flowing down to creeks, reservoirs and irrigation systems that support communities across the Western Slope. It’s a quiet process, but it supports nearly every part of life downstream.
However, that system has Read More
Daily Postcard: Small Tree Casts Decorative Shadows On Enterprise Bank & Trust Building
A small tree casts decorative shadows on the glass across the north side entrance to the Enterprise Bank & Trust building in early morning at 1200 Trinity Drive. Photo by Dixon Wolf Dermody: Rooftop Solar Remains Pragmatic Solution For Rising Energy Costs
By CONNOR DERMODY
Clean Earth Consultants
As Spring begins, this is one of the more prominent times of the year where I experience an uptick in consultations for photovoltaic (PV) designs. Since I started working with homeowners in Los Alamos County four years ago, I have experienced quite a bit of change, from available incentives to how clients will be compensated for energy shared with the utility grid. Despite the ebbs and flows, I remain confident that the conscientious switch to rooftop solar is a sound solution for your current and ongoing energy needs.
Here are a few reasons why I believe Read More
Scenes From 2026 Earth Day Festival In Los Alamos
Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann, left, reads an 2026 Earth Day Proclamation on behalf of the Council during the Earth Day Festival hosted Saturday by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) at the Los Alamos Nature Center. PEEC Executive Director Jillian Rubio, second from left, artist Star York and PEEC Co-founder Chick Keller, listen as the proclamation is read. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Artist Star York and Chick Keller unveil York’s sculpture, ‘Raven Dialogue, Friendly Advice’ on Saturday at the Los Alamos Nature Center. The unveiling kicked Read More
