Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

PCA Expresses Concern With Pajarito Mountain Land Privatization Arrangement In The Works

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 11, 2017

PCA News:

The Pajarito Conservation Alliance, (PCA) a 501(c)4 non-profit community organization focusing on information, advocacy, and volunteer work to protect the ecosystems and outdoor experience of the Pajarito Plateau, is concerned about a new arrangement in the works that would completely privatize Pajarito Mountain, contrary to citizens’ prior understanding. See https://pajarito.org/news/201 7/10/4/pajarito-mountain-land- privatization.

PCA members sent the following letter to the Los Alamos County Council Oct. 2 expressing that concern:

Dear Dr. Izraelevitz Read More

Explore New Mexico’s Ancient Past During International Archaeology Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 11, 2017

Center for New Mexico Archaeology, Photo by Chris Nail

MIAC News:

Learn about New Mexico’s fascinating 12,000-year cultural heritage through hands-on activities and demonstrations during International Archaeology Day, Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Center for New Mexico Archaeology.

Doors open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to New Mexicans interested in digging deep into the past.

Come throw an atlatl (spear-thrower), shoot bows and arrows, make yucca fiber-string, watch pottery firings, learn about coil basketry, and talk with

Study: 2017’s Greenest Cities In America

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 11, 2017

WALLETHUB News:

With October being National Energy Awareness Month and New York recently becoming the first city to unveil a plan that upholds the Paris Climate Agreement among nearly 250 cities that pledged to do so, the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2017’s Greenest Cities in America.

To determine which cities promote a “green” lifestyle, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 22 key indicators of environmental friendliness and sustainability.

The data set ranges from greenhouse-gas emissions

Daily Postcard: Butterflies, Bees And Arachnids

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 11, 2017

Daily Postcard: A butterfly spotted on a flower in a rock pile Saturday afternoon. Photo by Kei Davis

Daily Postcard: A bee buzzing around on a Saturday afternoon. Photo by Kei Davis

Daily Postcard: An arachnid doing what it does on a Saturday afternoon. Photo by Kei Davis Read More

Final Day To Register For Los Alamos EcoChallenge

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

ECOCHALLENGE News:

Are you ready to make some positive changes in your life, and have some friendly, fun competition to inspire you?

There’s just one day left before the EcoChallenge starts Oct. 11 and runs until Oct. 25. For two weeks, participants choose challenges that improve wellness, help the community and reduce environmental impact, showing that even small actions can add up to real change!

There are now 13 teams registered in Los Alamos, including teams from the Middle School, the First United Methodist Church, LAC Green Team, the Chamisa Family Green Team,

Pajarito Mountain Extends Bike & Hike Weekends

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

Pajarito Mountain. Courtesy/Peter Dickson

PAJARITO News:

Experience the Beautiful Fall Colors, and Participate in the Pajarito Trailfest, Sat. Oct 21!

Pajarito Trailfest is Sat., Oct. 21, a trail run and mountain bike event benefiting the University of New Mexico Ski Team and Southwest Nordic Ski Club Trail Initiative. There will be a 10k, 25k, 1.5k, and 3k running events. New at this year’s event is a mountain bike “mini tour.”

To register and for more information, click here, or log on to Pajarito’s

COUNTY: Wildfire Science On Tap Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

COUNTY News:

This week is Fire Prevention Week and next Friday, Oct. 20, the Reel Deal Theater will join the nation in opening the film, “Only the Brave,” the story of the heroes who battled the Yarnell Hill Fire, one of the deadliest wildland fires in history, located outside Prescott, Ariz., which claimed the lives of 19 of the 20 hotshots June 30, 2013.

In recognition of this focus on fire prevention and protection, the Los Alamos Creative District is hosting a special “Wildfire Science On Tap” 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at UnQuarked – The Wine

Bandelier Welcomes Artist In Residence For October

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

Lisa Grossman, Bandelier National Monument’s Artist in Residence in October. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Bandelier National Monument is happy to introduce this month’s Artist in Residence, Lisa Grossman. In the two weeks she will be here, she is planning to work on a series of oil and watercolor landscapes. She wants to investigate progressions, such as the evolution of light and shadow across the land and archeological sites, and the effects of wind, weather, and dramatic forces of nature.

Grossman was born and raised in western Pennsylvania

Fall Prescribed Burns On Jemez Ranger District

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest hope to take advantage of favorable fall conditions to conduct prescribed burns as early as Monday, Oct. 16.

That window is dependent on favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts.

The primary target is a planned broadcast burn on the 1,950-acre Stable unit located about 5 miles northwest of Jemez Springs, 8 miles north of Gilman and 6 miles west of La Cueva.

Additional projects fire managers are

PEEC: Another Night Sky Observation In Valles Caldera

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

PEEC News:

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is working with the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VALL) to offer another free chance to observe the night sky from the Valles Caldera this fall.

Saturday, Oct. 14, VALL will open the gates at 6:30 p.m. for this special, free event and close the gates at 8 p.m. to reduce light pollution and enjoy star gazing until 10 p.m. PEEC astronomers and VALL park rangers will point out constellations, planets, and other celestial objects with the help of telescopes

Daily Postcard: Fall Afternoon In Guaje Canyon

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017

Daily Postcard: Fall afternoon at the old reservoir area in Gauje Canyon. Photo by Josh Smith Read More

Snow And Freezing Temps Moving Into Area

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017

Courtesy/NWS

NWS News:

The National Weather Service has announced that the vast majority of impactful weather this week is expected to move into the area this afternoon through Tuesday morning.

Weather details:

A quick hitting fall system will bring colder temperatures and snow to northern New Mexico. Snow should begin by early afternoon across the Sangre de Cristo mountains and Raton Pass.
One to 3 inches of snow is possible around Raton Pass where at least minor impacts to I-25 are anticipated.
Two to 4 inches of snow are expected above 9,000 feet, with local amounts over 5 inches

Lawmakers Announce $2.5 Million In Federal Funding For Raton Water Treatment Plant

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Friday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Congressman Ben Ray Luján announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded funds, totaling $2.58 million, to help the City of Raton in northern New Mexico upgrade its Water Treatment Plant.

“The Raton Water Treatment Plant has served the City of Raton well since 1947 but it is long past time for the system to be upgraded and repaired,” Luján said. “This funding will not only allow Raton to make those improvements but will also address important health and safety concerns

Stars And Mysteries Oct. 14-15 At PEEC

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017

PEEC News:

At 7 p.m., Oct. 13 Steve Becker will reveal the celestial objects in our night sky. Then, the fascinating planetarium film Mysteries of the Unseen World will play at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 and 15.

These planetarium programs take place at the Los Alamos Nature Center and are made possible thanks to the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC).

During the Friday, Oct. 13 show, Steve Becker will point out the constellations, planets, and other celestial objects visible in the October

Rotary Learns About New Mexico Wildlife Center

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017

Scott Bol, New Mexico Wildlife Center volunteer, holds Maxwell, a bald eagle, a permanent resident of the Center. Bol gave a presentation recently to the Los Alamos Rotary Club at Cottonwood on the Greens where he explained that Maxwell is believed to be almost 30 years old and suffered irreparable wing damage from a gunshot wound. Courtesy photo

Eye-to-eye with Maxwell of the New Mexico Wildlife Center. Courtesy photo Read More

Daily Postcard: Autumn Comes To Bathtub Row

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017

Daily Postcard: Autumn leaves color the landscape this week along Bathtub Row. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Neighbor To Neighbor Group Holds First Clean-Up Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 8, 2017

Neighbor to Neighbor volunteers ready to set out to work in three yards Saturday morning, from left, Carolynn Roberts, Gerrick Jones, Becca Jones, Tyler Jones, Sophia Jones, Helen Melinski and Scott Milenski. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost

A few weeks ago, Los Alamos resident Becca Jones began reading on social media about the notices of violations to the Los Alamos Municipal Code that neighbors were receiving for their yards from the Code Enforcement Division of the County’s Community Development Read More

Environmental Services Closed Monday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 8, 2017

COUNTY News:

The Eco Station and Overlook Convenience Center will be closed Monday for its annual employee training and will re-open Tuesday.

Additionally, there will be no residential or commercial trash and recycling collection service provided Monday.

If the observed date falls on your normal trash day, place your materials out Wednesday for pickup. Read More

Ski Area Is The Place To See Fall Colors Close By

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 8, 2017

Spectacular view Saturday from Ma Bell on the west side of Pajarito Mountain Ski Area of the Los Alamos fall colors. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

The view from the deck outside the Pajarito Mountain Ski Lodge Saturday morning looking up the Beginner Hill toward Lumberyard. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com