U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, Western Democrats Press U.S. Forest Service On Wildfire Season Plans Amid COVID-19
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and a group of Western senators in seeking answers on the planning efforts of the U.S. Forest Service to protect communities and firefighters heading into the upcoming 2020 wildfire season amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“The impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), combined with high levels of drought throughout the West, will create unprecedented wildland firefighting challenges and may hurt numerous rural areas across the country, Read More
Carson, Cibola, Santa Fe National Forests, Kiowa National Grasslands Seek Public Comment On Riparian Restoration
USDA News:
SANTA FE — The Carson, Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests and Kiowa National Grasslands are soliciting public input on a proposal to restore riparian, wetland and aquatic ecosystems in Northern New Mexico to improve habitat, watershed health and water quality.
A 30-day public comment period on the draft environmental assessment (EA) opened Friday.
In order to comply with current federal directives and New Mexico public health orders to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the forests and grassland are hosting an ongoing virtual “public meeting” at https://www.virtualpublicmeeting.com/nnm-rawr-ea Read More
NWS: Today’s High Near 78; Tonight’s Low Around 51
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Los Alamos near 78 with sunny skies and tonight’s low around 51. Courtesy/NWS
The National Weather Service forecasts elevated fire danger will impact all of New Mexico today with a focus in the east. Courtesy/NWS
Daily Postcard: Purple Iris Bloom On Garver Lane
Daily Postcard: Iris are blooming on Garver Lane in White Rock. Photo by Annette Maes-Livermore Read More
DOE Renews Non-Competitive Financial Assistance Grant For Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center
DOE News:
The Office of Environmental Management (EM), Carlsbad Field Office is renewing a financial assistance grant to the Regents of New Mexico State University (NMSU), a Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education.
The project value is $14,470,270 million, with a 5-year project period.
Under NMSU, College of Engineering, environmental monitoring will be performed at the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center (CEMRC), in Carlsbad.
The primary objective of the CEMRC is to develop, implement and sustain an independent health and environmental monitoring Read More
NWS: Today’s High Near 80; Tonight’s Low Around 54
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Los Alamos near 80 with sunny skies and tonight’s low around 54. Courtesy/NWSCounty Reminds Residents Odd-Even Watering Begins Friday
COUNTY News:
Officials with the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities remind water customers that water rule W-8 begins Friday, May 1 and continues through Sept. 30.
The rule specifies that customers water outdoor landscapes before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. and adhere to an odd-even watering schedule.
Customers with odd numbered addresses should water Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while customers with even numbered addresses should water Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Water waste also is prohibited under water rule W-8. Customers should apply water to landscapes in a manner
May Is STILL National Bike Month!
COUNTY News:
May is Still National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast.
Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.
This National Bike Month will necessarily be different. With less focus on biking to work, the County is going to focus on riding “there” whether “there” is to the grocer for essentials or to Ashley Pond and back with the kids.
Part of making progress on the League’s vision is encouraging everyone to think beyond Read More
Western Tanagers Lifting Spirits In Los Alamos: Whistler
This colorful Western Tanager affectionately known as whistler is lifting spirits this morning on North Mesa and likely throughout all of Los Alamos and White Rock before day’s end. Photo by Barbara PhelpsNWS: Today’s High Near 80; Tonight’s Low Around 56
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Los Alamos near 80 with mostly sunny skies and tonight’s low around 56. Courtesy/NWSDaily Postcard: Raven Nest In North Mesa Canyon
Daily Postcard: A raven nest spotted in North Mesa Canyon from San Ildefonso Road. Photo by Cristal Aguilar
EPA, CDC Release Guidance For Cleaning And Disinfecting Spaces Where Americans Live, Work And Play
EPA News:
Helps facilities, families implement Opening Up America Again guidelines
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance to help facility operators and families properly clean and disinfect spaces.
Developed in concert with the White House, the guidance provides step-by-step instructions for public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes, and falls in line with the Opening Up America Again guidelines.
“These guidelines will provide all Americans with Read More
NWS: Today’s High Near 72; Tonight’s Low Around 51
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Los Alamos near 72 with sunny skies and tonight’s low around 51. Courtesy/NWS
PEEC Hosts Two Virtual Book Clubs Beginning May 3
Join the PEEC for two book clubs. These groups will meet virtually via Zoom. One will focus on simple living and the other on the benefits of connecting with nature. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The community is invited to join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) for two virtual book clubs.
The first, “A Different Way: Living Simply in a Complex World,” begins Sunday, May 3 and focuses on simple living.
The second, “The Eight Master Lessons of Nature,” begins Thursday, May 7 and looks at building meaningful connections to the natural world.
Both book clubs are free to participate in, Read More
Spring Flowers Keep Bees Busy Around White Rock
Spring is a busy time for the bees as spotted recently with this bee buzzing around an Asiatic Apple Tree on Kendall Drive in White Rock. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More
NWS: Today’s High Near 77; Tonight’s Low Around 48
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Los Alamos near 77 with sunny skies and tonight’s low around 48. Courtesy/NWS
NM STEM Boomerang: The Place For SPACE
STEM BOOMERANG News:
Do you love the idea of space as the next frontier?
Are you interested in how the internet will work between the moon, earth, and Mars? Are satellites or nanorobots cool? How about a great STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) career in New Mexico?
It might surprise many that, even in the middle of a pandemic, New Mexico’s Space and Beyond economy – from satellites and big data to cybersecurity, and nanotech – is working hard and in need of great STEM talent. It’s paradoxical – who would imagine companies that have jobs open now, when so many are working remotely? But Read More
View During Hike Along Valles Canyon Trail
A view captured last week during a hike along the Valles Canyon Trail. Photo by Valerie Glowinski Amateur Naturalist: Plants Growing In Springtime
Leaves are beginning to emerge on the lower branch of the aspen tree. Flowers are emerging on upper branches. Photo by Robert Dryja
By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos
Springtime and plant growth go together, but how does a plant know when it is springtime?
The usual answer is that a plant senses increasing temperature or longer day light. But is it that simple? Let’s first consider “length of day”.
Today the sun rose at 6:20 in the morning and set at 7:46.
Yesterday it rose at 6:21 and set at 7:45. There was two minutes less of daylight.
Tomorrow it will rise at 6:18 and set at 7:47. There will be three more minutes Read More
Udall Statement On Roll Backs To Clean Water Act
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement after the Trump administration issued its final rule rolling back Clean Water Act protections for most of New Mexico’s waterways under the “Waters of the United States” provision of the Clean Water Act:
“Even during a global pandemic, the environmental recklessness of the Trump administration knows no bounds. Americans are rightly outraged that the Trump administration Read More
