Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

PEEC Offers Two-Day Fly Tying Class

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 27, 2016

Each participant will receive a free copy of Fly Patterns of Northern New Mexico by Karen Denison and Bill Orr. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is working with fisherman Bill Orr, who co-authored the book Fly Patterns of Northern New Mexico, to offer a two-day fly tying class, 1-3 p.m., Nov. 6 and 20.

Participants will create their own ties designed for local fishing and receive a free copy of his book. All the techniques are time-tested, local patterns that can be transferred to other locations. All experience

John Bartlit Receives Dorothy Hoard Stewardship Award

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 26, 2016

John Bartlit, center, receives the Dorothy Hoard Stewardship Award painting from Friends of Bandelier President Craig Martin with Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Jason Lott. Courtesy photo

By TERRY FOXX

Friends of Bandelier

The Board of Friends of Bandelier has chosen John Bartlit of Los Alamos to receive the 2016 Dorothy Hoard Stewardship Award.

Bartlit was selected for his advocacy of providing clean air and water in New Mexico. Because of his advocacy the public, elected officials and the State Legislature have come to understand the importance of the air we breathe Read More

Trees Attacked On Trail From 37th Street Park

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2016

Someone is damaging trees on the trail from 37th Street Park in Los Alamos. Authorities are investigating this disturbing situation. Photo by Roy Bohn

Someone is cutting the tops off smaller trees on the trail from 37th Street Park in Los Alamos. Photo by Roy Bohn Read More

Greater Roadrunner Spotted In Los Alamos

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 25, 2016

A greater roadrunner is spotted Sunday off Yucca Street in Los Alamos. Photo by Michael Novak

Greater roadrunner spotted Sunday near Yucca Street. Photo by Michael Novak

Greater roadrunner spotted Sunday near Yucca Street. Photo by Michael Novak

Interior Secretary Jewell Issues Order To Encourage Tribal Role In Managing Interior Lands

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 24, 2016

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell

USDI News:

FAIRBANKS, AK ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced a Secretarial Order encouraging cooperative management opportunities between the Department’s land and water managers and federally-recognized tribes.

The Secretarial Order sets out a framework to ensure that Native communities have the opportunity to assume meaningful and substantive roles in managing public lands that have special geographical, historical and cultural connections to the tribes.

Playing This Weekend In Nature Center Planetarium

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 24, 2016

PEEC News:

The Los Alamos Nature Center planetarium will kick off the weekend with a fascinating fractal show at 7 p.m., Friday.

The captivating film Mysteries of the Unseen World is playing at 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

For more information about these and future planetarium shows, visit www.peecnature.org/planetarium or call 505.662.0460.

Changing The Protocol For Euthanizing Bears

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 24, 2016

Ultrarunner Karen Williams, left, with Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard announce their mission to protect bears during an interview in July at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By THE SIERRA CLUB

Los Alamos

On a very hot June 18, during the Valles Caldera Marathon, a mother bear with her two cubs nearby, attacked marathoner Karen Williams who ran too close to one of her cubs. The injuries required Williams to be transported to UNMH for treatment.

Reasonable people would recognize that in this encounter the mama bear was just doing her thing. She was Read More

PEEC Daytrip Explores Nacimiento Mine Oct. 29

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 21, 2016

Exploring the tailings of Nacimiento Copper Mine is fun for all ages. Photo by Minesh Bacrania

PEEC News:

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is offering a rare chance to visit the abandoned Nacimiento Copper Mine Oct. 29 near Cuba.

The trip, led by local geology expert Patrick Rowe, will be fun and hands-on for both adults and children. Participants will explore the area, with ample chances to find beautiful specimens such as petrified wood.

In addition to the petrified wood specimens, which are regularly covered with exquisite green malachite and blue azurite, Read More

Los Alamos Scientist Recognized For Work To Increase Availability Of Critical Medical Isotope

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 20, 2016

Iain May was recognized for his work to increase the availability of critical medical isotopes. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Study predicts shortage of isotope used for medical diagnostic imaging

A scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory was recently recognized by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for his work towards ensuring the reliability and domestic supply of a critical medical isotope used for diagnostic imaging. Iain May received the award in recognition of his work to support the development of new production methods for molybdenum-99, the Read More

DOE Releases Request For Information/Sources Sought For Savannah River Site Operations Acquisition

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 20, 2016

DOE News:

CINCINNATI OH ― The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) issued a Request for Information (RFI) /Sources Sought in support the upcoming follow-on procurement for the management and operation (M&O) of the Savannah River Site (SRS).

The current SRS M&O contract, DE-AC09-08SR22470, with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), expires on July 31, 2018 and is a major component of the overall SRS work scope and contracting structure.

The RFI/Sources Sought is seeking to solicit

Pterosaurs: Flight In Age Of Dinosaurs Lands At Fort Collins Museum Of Discovery

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 20, 2016

Cretaceous-Sea-Diorama. Courtesy photo

FCMD News:

For as long as dinosaurs walked the Earth, flying animals called pterosaurs ruled the skies.

They ranged from the size of a sparrow to that of a two-seater plane. Close relatives of dinosaurs, these extraordinary winged reptiles—the first back-boned animals to evolve powered flight, and the only vertebrates to develop this ability besides birds and bats—are the focus of the intriguing exhibition opening at 10 a.m., Nov. 17.

The largest exhibition about these flying reptiles ever mounted in the

PEEC: Youth Beginning Photography Class Oct. 22

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 19, 2016

A female Black-throated Gray Warbler chooses an awkward perch. Photo by Selvi Viswanathan. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

Retired school teacher Mrs. Magelssen will teach a beginning photography class for 2nd and 3rd graders 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Los Alamos Nature Center.

This beginning photography class will encourage children to discover the basics of composing good photographs through hands-on experience. Camera equipment will be provided. Students will identify pictures that are pleasing to the eye, take pictures

Gallinas Watershed Prescribed Burn Postponed Again

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 19, 2016

SFNF News:

SANTA FE ― Fire managers are postponing the completion of the prescribed burn in the Gallinas Watershed until Oct. 24 or later, based on windy conditions predicted for this week.

At the end of operations last week, fire crews had completed an estimated 200 acres in the Gallinas wildland-urban interface (WUI) project area. The 1,300-acre Gallinas Watershed treatment area is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Las Vegas, N.M.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers

Public Astronomy Dark Night Saturday At Overlook

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2016

ASTRONOMERS News:

The Pajarito Astronomers will be holding a County-Sponsored Dark Night starting at 6:30 PM (sunset) Saturday, Oct. 22 at Spirio Soccer Field at Overlook Park in White Rock.

Weather permitting, the public is invited to come out, wander among the telescopes, and star gaze. Five planets will potentially be visible during the evening: Venus, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

There will be a tour of the late-summer and fall constellations, and there will be telescope views of double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Read More

New Members And Old Friends Welcomed At PEECnic

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2016

PEEC Executive Director Katie Watson and PEEC Board Treasurer Nancy Arendt sign up new PEEC members during Sunday’s PEECnic at the Los Alamos Nature Center. The event introduced picnic to PEEC’s services. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Youngsters sample healthy snacks at Sunday’s PEECnic. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Demonstrations were on the PEECnic agenda Sunday. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Guests check out the displays inside the Los Alamos Nature Center during Sunday’s PEECnic. Photo by

Manhattan Project National Historical Park Seeks Volunteers For Los Alamos Visitor Center Operation

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 18, 2016

NPS News:

The National Park Service (NPS) invites community members to join in providing visitor information and interpretation at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MPNHP) Visitor Center on 20th Street in downtown Los Alamos.

Volunteers will receive training in Los Alamos and Manhattan Project history, customer service and orientation to National Park Service operations. The training will be provided by NPS and Los Alamos Historical Society staff, beginning today, Oct. 18.

Winter hours for the MPNHP Visitor Center are 9-4

WIPP: Plans Call For Controlled Withdrawal From South End Of Underground

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 18, 2016

WIPP News:

At a Carlsbad Town Hall Meeting last night, the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) announced its intention to close the far south end of the WIPP underground.

CBFO initiated discussions with the New Mexico Environment Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier this week, and efforts are underway to develop a plan to close the far south end of the mine. The decision to close the far south end is being made after balancing worker safety issues, overall issues related to rock bolting and ground control in contaminated areas,

Joint DOD-DOE Environmental Meeting Tonight

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2016

DOE/DOD News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Department of Energy/Department of Defense Semi-Annual Public Meeting on environmental programs takes place 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight, Oct. 18 at the Cesar Chavez Community Center (7505 Kathryn SE–off of Louisiana Blvd. and Zuni in Albuquerque.

This is a joint meeting between Sandia National Laboratories’ Environmental Programs and the Kirtland Air Force Base Environmental Restoration Program to provide information about environmental restoration and ongoing outreach efforts.

For more information, contact Dave Rast at the DOE Read More

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Releases Slate of Endorsements Of Local, State, National Candidates

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2016

SIERRA CLUB News:

The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter released today its slate of endorsements in “one of the most critical elections for the environment New Mexicans have ever faced.”

“This year’s election is critical for putting New Mexico back on a path toward clean water, clean energy and thriving wildlife and public lands,” said Rio Grande Chapter Chair David Coss. “Our members are working hard for these candidates, and I urge New Mexicans to vote for them in the Nov. 8 election.”

The chapter sends questionnaires to new candidates, studies records of incumbents, interviews Read More

Daily Postcard: Hunter’s Moon Over Pajarito Mountain

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2016

Daily Postcard: A hunter’s moon hovers above Pajarito Mountain early Monday morning. At its closest point over the weekend, the supermoon was 222,365 miles from Earth — on average, it’s 238,855 miles away, according to National Geographic. This kicks off three straight months of supermoons with the next appearances scheduled for Nov. 14 and Dec. 14. The November moon is set to be a real show-stopper: According to NASA, it is ‘not only the closest full moon of 2016 but also the closest full moon to date in the 21st century.’ It won’t be this close to Earth again until 2034. Source: NPR. Photo Read More

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