Posts From The Road: Pops 66 Soda Ranch
Pops 66 Soda Ranch: A view of the modern structure that houses the Pops 66 Soda Ranch catches the eye of travelers as they arrive at the business. The large cantilevered roof over the entrance and gas pumps is 100 feet long. The facility has won multiple architecture awards. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Soda Bottles: Seven hundred varieties of soda fill the soda shop at Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia, Okla. The bottles are neatly arranged by color of soda on shelves in the aisles and in the wall of coolers. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Big Bottle: The largest soda bottle in the world Read More
Community Invited To Trails Information Fair April 25
COMMUNITY News:
The community is invited to drop by the community-wide National Celebrate Trails Day event, 9-11 a.m., Saturday, April 25, at Co-op Park, 1010 Central Ave.
More than 15 area groups and organizations have been invited to this community open house to talk about their events, activities, membership opportunities, and volunteer opportunities. Meet Striker, the Ambassador Horse, a friendly Arabian. Striker will anchor a booth by local equestrians with information about what to do if you encounter a horse on a trail.
Another highlight of the morning will be an “Outdoor Assembly” Read More
STEM Santa Fe To Host 10th Anniversary Celebration May 28
Documents Added To LANL Electronic Public Reading Room
LANL News:
New documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted before April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
- Submittal of Fiscal Year 2026 Appendix B Milestone 8, Letter Documenting Start of the Drilling of Regional Aquifer Monitoring Well R-80
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704287_EMLA-26-BF080-2-1_Start_Drilling_R-80_041626.pdf
YIMBY Adventure Film Festival Returns To SALA May 16
YIMBY News:
The 2026 Yes! In My Backyard! (YIMBY) Film Festival—Los Alamos’s adventure film festival—returns on May 16, 5-7 p.m. at the SALA Los Alamos Event Center, bringing a 90-minute lineup of award-winning, family-friendly short films as inspiring for adults as they are fun for kids.
This year’s program features standout selections from the Banff Mountain Film Festival and other acclaimed festivals, showcasing everything from adaptive mountain biking and backyard exploration to environmental storytelling from around the world.
While the films are curated with young viewers Read More
Santa Fe National Forest Begins Firewood Permit Sales
Fuelwood Season Begins – Permits Available Now. Courtesy/SFNF
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — Firewood permits for the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are now available. The SFNF will begin permit sales on May 1 for the Cuba, Jemez, Coyote and Española Ranger Districts.
Permit costs:
- Dead and down wood: $20 for 10 cords
- Green juniper from Rowe Mesa: $10 per cord
The public can purchase permits in-person with cash, check, or credit card, or by phone with check or credit card. Office hours are listed on the Santa Fe National Forest website, but visitors should call ahead Read More
Daily Postcard: Abert’s Squirrel Scurries Around Bandelier
A sturdy Abert’s squirrel with its fancy tasseled ears is spotted at Bandelier National Monument. Cones of the Ponderosa Pine are a favorite food of Abert’s squirrels. They will turn the cone slowly, much like you may rotate an ear of corn as you eat it, peeling away the cone scales to reach the meaty seeds. The new buds and inner bark of the Ponderosa are also quickly consumed by the squirrel. You may think this would be bad for the Ponderosa; however, Abert’s also eat ectomycorrhizal fungi. A byproduct of this feeding activity spreads fungal spores. As it turns out, this fungus is very beneficial Read More
County Addresses Nesting Season
The female goose is nesting at Ashley Pond. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
It’s that time of the year again! The female goose is nesting.
Animal Control has been receiving multiple calls with concerns for her or her whereabouts.
“We promise, she is just fine. She is nesting and will stay there for quite a while. She doesn’t need anything but privacy.” –County spokesperson
Ed (the male) is back to hanging out with his own reflection in the windows. He is not depressed or sad and does not need any extra intervention.
Thank you all for the concerns. Animal Control officers will continue to keep an eye on our Read More
Sierra Club Opposes Feds Seizing NM Lands For Border Wall
SIERRA CLUB News:
SANTA FE — The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter stands with State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard in opposing the Trump regime’s plan to seize seven acres of New Mexico lands for Border Patrol facilities.
“The Trump administration’s move, after New Mexico was clear that NO state lands would be sold for border wall construction, is a violation of our laws and rights as a state. This is an assault on our precious ecology, waters, and diverse wildlife through the corrupt militarization of our border communities,” said Sierra Club Southern New Mexico Organizer Read More
Daily Postcard: Crescent Moon At Daybreak Over White Rock
Daily Postcard: A crescent moon visible at daybreak on Tuesday over White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
PEEC Hosts Two Hands‐On Girl Scout Programs In May: Bug Bonanza! And Garden Explorers
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is excited to offer two hands‐on Girl Scout programs this May, designed to connect scouts with the natural world through exploration, creativity, and outdoor learning.
Brownie Girl Scouts are invited to earn their Bug Badge on Saturday, May 2, and Junior Girl Scouts can earn their Gardener Badge on Saturday, May 9.
Brownie Girl Scouts: Bug Bonanza! Saturday, May 2
PEEC will welcome Brownie Girl Scouts for Bug Bonanza! from 1–2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2 at the Los Alamos Nature Center. This interactive program invites scouts to explore Read More
‘Fire, Forests, And The Future Of The Jemez’ With Thomas W. Swetnam April 22
PEEC Earth Day Festival Tomorrow At Nature Center
BLM Seeks Input For August 2026 Sale Of Oil And Gas Leases In New Mexico, Oklahoma, And Texas
BLM News:
SANTA FE — The Bureau of Land Management today opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on plans to include 32 oil and gas parcels totaling 21,181 acres in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas in an August 2026 sale. The comment period ends May 15, 2026.
The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in March 2026 and is now seeking public comment on the parcels and related environmental analysis. The BLM will use input from the public to help complete its review of each parcel.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development Read More
Daily Postcard: A Cloudy Sky Above Valle Grande
Daily Postcard: A cloudy sky recently above Valle Grande. Photo by Irene at Valles Caldera National Preserve. The sky is an integral part of the landscape at the Valles Caldera, whether by day or by night. As part of Art in the Park Day at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, the community is invited to join Santa Fe-based artist Patsy Welch to learn how to paint the clouds above Valles Caldera in watercolors. Cloud painting is a fun and low-stress activity anyone can do. This one-hour program is geared toward children and families. Spots are limited; registration required. Learn more and register here: Read More
State Fire Restrictions In Effect Across Game Commission Lands Managed By New Mexico Department Of Wildlife
New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy
NMDGF News:
SANTA FE — State fire restrictions are in effect across New Mexico, including on all State Game Commission lands managed by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.
On Monday, April 6, the Department issued fire restrictions on all State Game Commission lands, including the Department’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). This comes after New Mexico state forester Laura McCarthy announced a ban on smoking, fireworks, campfires, grills and stoves and prescribed burns on all non-municipal, non-federal and non-Tribal lands statewide. Read More
Wildlife Law Violation Checkpoints Begin Throughout State
NMDGF News:
SANTA FE — The Department of Wildlife is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting and fishing season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations.
As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.
Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please Read More
Environmental Improvement Board Grants Authority To Regulate PFAS-Laden Firefighting Foam
NMED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico has become the first state in the nation to classify aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) as hazardous waste under new state rules, a unanimous decision by the state Environmental Improvement Board this week that gives the New Mexico Environment Department direct authority to require cleanup from polluters.
AFFF—a firefighting foam widely used in military installations and airports—can often leach into soil and drinking water sources, leading to health effects like cancer.
Under the new rules, NMED now has authority to regulate discarded AFFF as hazardous Read More
Overwhelming Opposition From Public To Latest Fracking Waste Proposal
WILDEARTH GUARDIANS News:
SANTA FE — New Mexicans delivered a clear message to the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission again: “Do not allow oil and gas waste into our water.”
After more than four hours of public testimony, an overwhelming majority of public comments —roughly 90% or more—opposed the newest industry-backed proposal to allow reuse and potential discharge of “treated” oil and gas waste known as “produced water.” The commission did not reach a decision and delayed any vote on whether to hold a hearing on the rule until its next meeting.
Los Alamos County Residents Select Tagline ‘Give A Shift’ For Climate Action Outreach Campaign
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County residents have selected the official tagline “Give a Shift” for the County’s upcoming climate action outreach campaign. With this tagline, the campaign will explore how shifting the choices you make can protect the environment, improve your family’s health, reduce costs, and continue a strong sense of community.
